Policy on the use of Bair Huggers

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Specializes in A and E, Medicine, Surgery.

HELP :uhoh3:

I have been tasked with developing a policy for the use of Bair Huggers within my hospital. At the moment there is no real consistency as to who they are used on, how the patient is monitored etc.

I am going round in circles and wonder if anyone could point me in the direction of an existing policy that I could use as a framework.

The areas I particularly want to cover are:

Clinical need

Treatment of the underlying cause of hypothermia

What observations need to be carried out whilst rewarming therapy is given

Extra care for patients with perfusion difficulties, high waterlows etc.

Prevention of burns.

PLEASE if anyone can help I would be so grateful and happy to provide a large bar of chocolate:)

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

we do not create policies on equipment, as they change frequently, even with the same vendor. We have a generic policy on all equipment stating the manufacturer's recommendations for use must be followed.

I think you mean "procedure", not policy. I normally contact the vendor for information and even competencies. They have sales stuff to show buyers why their product is superior and what "research" that claim is based upon. You will get a lot of your answers from that material.

Instead of P&P we use competencies specific to the equipment and the dept in which it will be used. New equipment = new competency ONLY if the generic one is obsolete.

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Specializes in A and E, Medicine, Surgery.

Thankyou for that I really appreciate that. I have contacted the manufacturer and they sent me a general use guide. The problem with making it product specific is that we use three different bair huggers and they are lent out throughout the hospital.

Thannks again for your guidance

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Specializes in A and E, Medicine, Surgery.

Perfect Sharrie you are an angel :)

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