When it comes to FAW systems, there are a lot of misconceptions and half-truths circulating. We think the evidence speaks for itself.

• The 3M™ Bair Hugger™ Warming System is safe and effective, with numerous studies supporting that the use of a convective or forced-air warming (FAW) system does not lead to an increased risk in surgical site infections (SSIs).^{1, 2}
• Additional studies have shown that FAW systems pose no risk for nosocomial infections,³ do not cause a clinically relevant increase in bacterial distribution near the patient,⁴ nor contaminate or increase the bacterial counts in the sterile surgical field.^5,9
• The 2013 International Orthopedic Consensus Meeting on Periprosthetic Joint Infection and the ECRI Institute concluded that there is insufficient evidence of FAW systems leading to an increase in SSIs.^6,7
• Flow visualization techniques demonstrate that the airflow from 3M™ Bair Hugger™ Blankets has no significant effect on operating room airflow,^8,9,10 nor does it disrupt laminar flow or compromise the protection of the surgical site.¹¹
• The 3M™ Bair Hugger™ Forced Air Warming System has provided safe and effective warming therapy to over 200 million surgical patients globally for over 28 years. The system has been studied over 200 times and involved in over 60 randomized controlled clinical trials – more than any other forced-air warming brand – making it the world’s leading forced air warming system.^9,10

Inadvertent perioperative hypothermia occurs in approximately up to 90% of surgical patients unless preventative measures are taken by healthcare professionals.^1,2 Anesthesia, general or neuraxial, is the primary cause of inadvertent perioperative hypothermia and without some form of active warming, the majority of patients will experience intraoperative hypothermia^3,4

Active methods, such as convective or conductive blankets, should be utilized to prevent hypothermia. Convective warming, or forced-air warming has been recommended in various clinical guidelines to use before, during and after surgery.^3,5

Forced air warming is an effective way to maintain normothermia and prevent perioperative hypothermia – more effective than cotton blankets.⁵

Studies have shown that maintaining normothermia through forced air warming can decrease surgical site infection rates;^6,7,8 shorten the length of hospital stays,⁶ and contribute to reduced blood loss⁹ and transfusion requirements.¹⁰

Download references here

The performance of forced-air warming systems depends on two variables: the velocity and temperature of the air that impinges the patient’s skin. Each one is essential in producing a high heat-transfer rate.

Some manufacturers of forced-air warming systems incorporate HEPA filtration systems in their warming units and suggest that this feature makes the warming therapy safer from the perspective of operating room contamination risk. This is not true. Evidence suggests that HEPA systems are no safer than non-HEPA systems and there is also evidence that non-HEPA warming systems pose no greater risk for surgical infection than conductive warming systems, which expel no air at all.^1,2 Furthermore, the idea that the use of a HEPA filter in a forced-air warming system improves clinical outcomes has not been validated in any prospective clinical trial. However, there is good engineering evidence that heat transfer performance is reduced in warming systems that use HEPA filtration or have a low volumetric airflow.^3,4

Because of these airflow limitations, HEPA-equipped warming units have very low performance.^5,6 Low-performance warming systems make it more likely that patients will experience perioperative hypothermia, which is a risk factor for several adverse postoperative consequences, including hospital-acquired infections.⁷ Therefore, while HEPA filtration has the intended purpose of reducing surgical site infection risk, it may in fact put patients at greater risk due to its effect on performance.

Bottom line, HEPA filtration reduces the performance of forced-air warming systems and does not improve surgical infection risk. The promotion of HEPA filtration and diffusion technology by some manufacturers could divert the clinician’s attention from the most important characteristic associated with patient warming: heat transfer performance.^8,9

Download references here

When tested in actual surgical conditions, research shows that forced air warming does not increase the bacterial count at the surgical site and may decrease it.¹

The 3M™ Bair Hugger™ Normothermia System does not create “waste hot air convection currents”. The warm air released through the perforations of the 3M™ Bair Hugger™ Blanket quickly dissipates when it mixes into the cooler operating room air and does not continue to rise. The air released from the perforations in the 3M™ Bair Hugger™ Blanket is isolated from the surgical site by the surgical drape, the anesthesia curtain, and taping of the 3M™ Bair Hugger™ Blanket.

The perforations found in the 3M™ Bair Hugger™ Blanket optimizes airflow and helps to deliver a consistent, even patient warming experience. The promotion of “diffusion technology” by some competitors is simply a marketing ploy to divert the clinician’s attention away from the truth – that perforations in blankets ensure uniform convective warming.²

Download references here

Not all forced air warming products are created equal. We thought you might like to know more about what makes the 3M™ Bair Hugger™ Normothermia System different from other forced air warming modalities:

Product Quality

• 3M™ Bair Hugger™ Blankets are engineered to deliver consistent, even patient warming by optimized airflow through the blanket’s air channel and perforation pattern.¹
• Internal testing of the 3M™ Bair Hugger™ adult upper, lower and full body blankets demonstrates a superior heat transfer rate and a more uniform distribution of temperature compared to leading warming blanket manufacturers.² LEARN MORE
• In a surgical study, the use of the 3M™ Bair Hugger™ patient adjustable warming system resulted in statistically less opioid usage and higher patient satisfaction with their thermal comfort versus a standard gown and prewarmed cotton blankets.³
• The 3M™ Bair Hugger™ Pre-Warming Gowns with patient adjustable warming unit gives patients control over their own warming.⁴
• The wrap around style of the 3M™ Bair Hugger™ Pre-Warming Gowns provides modesty and body coverage, and protects patient dignity.⁵
• The 3M™ Bair Hugger™ Underbody Blankets have fluid outlets to prevent fluids from pooling on the blanket.⁶

Not all forced air warming products are created equal. We thought you might like to know more about what makes the 3M™ Bair Hugger™ Normothermia System different from other forced air warming modalities:

Product Quality

• 3M™ Bair Hugger™ Blankets are engineered to deliver consistent, even patient warming by optimized airflow through the blanket’s air channel and perforation pattern.¹
• Internal testing of the 3M™ Bair Hugger™ adult upper, lower and full body blankets demonstrates a superior heat transfer rate and a more uniform distribution of temperature compared to leading warming blanket manufacturers.² LEARN MORE
• In a surgical study, the use of the 3M™ Bair Hugger™ patient adjustable warming system resulted in statistically less opioid usage and higher patient satisfaction with their thermal comfort versus a standard gown and prewarmed cotton blankets.³
• The 3M™ Bair Hugger™ Pre-Warming Gowns with patient adjustable warming unit gives patients control over their own warming.⁴
• The wrap around style of the 3M™ Bair Hugger™ Pre-Warming Gowns provides modesty and body coverage, and protects patient dignity.⁵
• The 3M™ Bair Hugger™ Underbody Blankets have fluid outlets to prevent fluids from pooling on the blanket.⁶