2- why use heat lamp?

[Ruqayyah]

Dear staff,

1- Why is a heat lamp used?

To enhance tissue healing? Am I on right track?...need more clarification.

2- plz explain nursing measures to ensure safety with use of heat lamp.

Thanx, Ruqayyah

[Nurse Ratched, RN]

Nurses who work more regularly in wound care, please jump in if I'm wrong, but we don't use heat lamps any more. My understanding is that it overdries and impedes healing. ("Back in the day" it was not unusual to have an order to use a heat lamp x 15 minutes 2x/day or whatever, but no longer.)

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

Are you talking about using the lamps with Scarlet Red dressings on burn patients?

[Monica RN,BSN]

Nurse ratched is right.. along time ago, decubs were treated with painting them with maalox and applying a heat lamp for 15 minutes to dry it out.

not used for decubs any more... are still used for burn grafts though..

[Ruqayyah]

Nurse ratched is right.. along time ago, decubs were treated with painting them with maalox and applying a heat lamp for 15 minutes to dry it out.

not used for decubs any more... are still used for burn grafts though..

:) thanx for the info...text didn't give any other info. I do understand

[Ruqayyah]

Are you talking about using the lamps with Scarlet Red dressings on burn patients?

:) maybe so, but text doesn't give any other info. at least i know , they r not used anymore, and only for 15min ...thanx

[stn2003, RN]

heat lamps can also be used to treat hypothermia (or prevent it, during surgery) without obstructing access to the patient if procedures are needed (perhaps it is a trauma pt suffering from hypothermia but needs medical attention stat to wounds etc.) as opposed to a warming blanket or a bear blanket, which would treat the hypothermia but impede access to the pt.