Radiant Warmers - Basics
| Abbreviation / other names |
Open incubator (for infants) Patient warmer (for adults) |
| What does it do? |
A radiant warmer is used to keep the patient’s core
temperature stable at 37C°. There are different radiant
warmers used for infants and adults. |
| Physiology |
The core temperature of the human body needs to be kept at
a constant temperature of 37 degrees Celsius. Premature infants
need to use as little energy as possible in keeping warm or
cool, using it for growth instead. If the temperature goes too
high or too low, then the organs can be damaged and illness
or death can result.
The radiant warmer is used in a number of different situations: to warm a baby directly after birth, to regulate a baby’s temperature during long term care in hospital, to keep the patient warm during or after surgery, to keep a patient warm when they are minimally covered (because they are having a procedure or need to be accessible) Read the physiology section on “Infant Incubators”
for a more detailed
|
| How it works |
The patient lies on a bed with the skin exposed. The radiant
warmer element is positioned above the patient. The warmer element
emits infrared radiation, which is absorbed by the patient’s
skin and warms the patient. The air around the patient does
not need to be warm because the radiant energy is absorbed directly
by the skin. |
| Units of measurement |
Degrees Celsius |
| Typical values |
34 – 37C° skin temperature 36 – 37C° for core temperature |
| Picture of equipment | http://www.fphcare.com/neonatal/warming.asp |
 F&P Infant Warmer |