BLOOD WARMER

Typical Number in Hospital: 20

Cost Bands: 2

References:

During blood transfusion it is desirable to pre-heat the blood to the body temperature. The most common device for this is a temperature-controlled water bath into which a coil of tubing is immersed through which the blood flows. The temperature of the bath is normally maintained slightly above body temperature to allow for any cooling in the feed tube to the patient. The device consists of a bath with a heating element, a stirrer (usually) to ensure even distribution of temperature, and electronic circuitry to control the temperature and to provide an over-temperature limit in the event of system failure or low water level.

Alternative devices exist in which the blood is passed through a coil or bag enclosed between dry heating plates. These types have similar control and alarm circuits. Blood warmers are also known as haemoheaters.