3M Bair Hugger Forced-Air Warming Celebrates 25 Years In Hospitals

Since its inception 25 years ago, forced-air warming technology has grown to become a staple in hospitals around the world, safely warming more than 130 million patients. The amount of scientific evidence behind this technology is overwhelming, with more than 170 published studies documenting the clinical benefits of forced-air warming for maintaining normal body temperature, or normothermia. Today, the technology from Arizant Healthcare Inc., a 3M Health Care company, is used in more than 80 percent of U.S. hospitals and warms more than 50,000 patients each day.

“Before the development of forced-air warming, there was no good way to keep surgical patients warm,” said anesthesiologist Dr. Daniel Sessler. “Forced-air is safe, effective, easy to use and inexpensive. It has thus become the most common way of keeping patients warm during surgery.”

Developed in 1987 as a way to warm patients after surgery, forced-air warming has expanded its reach into the operating room and preoperative environments. 3M™ Bair Hugger™ therapy, now a part of the innovative 3M Infection Prevention portfolio of solutions, was the world’s first forced-air warming system and remains the industry leader. While manufacturers continue to develop new warming methods, none seem to match forced-air warming’s combination of safety, ease-of-use and effectiveness.

Orthopedic surgeon and leading surgical site infection (SSI) researcher Dr. Javad Parvizi recently authored a paper that substantiates the safety of forced-air warming technology. ² This research examines existing literature on forced-air warming’s use in laminar flow operating rooms and affirms forced-air warming as a safe, effective technology for surgical patients. Another recent study was led by Dr. Sessler, concluding forced-air warming does not disrupt laminar flow or compromise the protection of the surgical site. ³ In fact, in its 25 year history, there has never been a report of an SSI linked to the use of forced-air warming.

“I’m confident in the use of forced-air warming blankets at my institution for patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty in laminar flow equipped ORs,” said Dr. Parvizi. “Normothermia maintenance plays a critical role in minimizing complications following any surgery and should be exercised whenever possible.”

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