IPractice Alert
BAIR HUGGER
Burns caused by placing BAIR Hugger hose under blanket and not connected to BAIR
Hugger warming blanket. (Not PRMCE.)
S: Some nurses have been using the BAIR Hugger hose without the warming blanket. This
practice is often called “hosing” or “free-hosing” in the academic literature.
B: Use of forced air warmers is the best evidence-based method to prevent unplanned
perianesthesia hypothermia both in pre-op for pre-warming and in PACU after surgery. The
BAIR Hugger and BAIR Paws systems are designed to be used with an inflatable warming
blanket. Manufacturer’s instructions specifically state to NOT use the BAIR Paws hose alone
to warm patients.
A: Misuse Puts Patients at Risk
It is only when forced-air warming systems are misused that patients are put at risk. It is
essential to know that using a forced-air warming hose without attaching an inflatable blanket
can result in serious harm. There have been reports of first-, second- and third-degree burns
resulting from hosing, and several reports to the FDA document these serious injuries. The
most serious injury reported progressed to muscle necrosis necessitating amputation.
Although injuries this extreme are rare, the potential for serious harm exists anytime forced-air
warming is used without the inflatable blanket.
R: The OR has specifically been asked to keep the blanket provided in Pre-op. Please DO NOT
discard. Instead, use the BAIR Paws to warm your patient using the inflatable blanket. Safe
and effective!
Chung K, Lee S, Oh SC, Choi J, Cho HS. Thermal burn injury associated with a forced-air warming device. Korean J
Anesthesiol. 2012;62(4):391-392. doi:10.4097/kjae.2012.62.4.391
http://safepatientwarming.com/spw/hosingreusecommingling/hosing/index.html
