HEATLAMP

Typical Number in Hospital: 10

Cost Bands: 3

References: 4,10

This is the infrared lamp used in the physiotherapy department for providing heat treatment to a stiff, painful or inflamed part of the body. Ultraviolet treatment lamps are sometimes wrongly described as heat lamps.

Because of the wavelengths delivered (770 to 12000 nm), penetration is limited to 10 mm although the enhanced blood supply (due to the heat) may carry heat to deeper structures. The treatment regime might be a course of five treatment sessions during the recovery from an injury.

Such lamps are also used in the care and treatment of newborns who can be or must be removed from an enclosed incubator for examination and treatment.