Bair Hugger for measuring core temperature during perioperative care

The technology described in this briefing is the Bair Hugger temperature monitoring system (formerly known as SpotOn). It is used for measuring core temperature in people having surgery.

The innovative aspects are that it can non-invasively monitor core temperature in both awake and anaesthetised patients during the perioperative phase. Temperature is monitored by an insulated zero-heat flux sensor on the patient's forehead.

The intended place in therapy would be before, during and after surgical procedures as an alternative to minimally invasive and invasive temperature monitoring.

The main points from the evidence summarised in this briefing are from 7 prospective cohort studies including a total of over 513 adults who had general anaesthesia. They show that the Bair Hugger temperature monitoring system is as accurate as invasive and minimally invasive methods to monitor temperature during anaesthesia.

Key uncertainties are that the evidence base is developing, both in availability and scope. There is currently no evidence linking temperature measurement using this device and changes in clinical outcomes.

The cost of the Bair Hugger temperature monitoring system is £250 per unit (provided at no extra cost if enough consumables are bought) and the single-use sensors are £7.46 (exclusive of VAT). The resource impact is likely to be similar to standard care. Invasive measures that directly estimate core temperature cost between £2 and £7 for single-patient use and between £103 and £160 for re-useable devices.