What Is the Importance of Surgical Slush Machines and Fluid Warmers?

What is the Importance of Surgical Slush Machines and Fluid Warmers?

Surgical slush machines and fluid warmers are some of the most necessary pieces of medical equipment, especially during organ transplant procedures. These pieces of equipment are vital in some of the most intense and time-consuming procedures that are regularly performed. While it is an unfortunate event when someone needs an organ transplant, it is helpful knowing that they will receive excellent medical care with excellent medical equipment at the source. Continue reading to learn more about the hush-slush machines and fluid warmers that Soma Tech Intl supplies to many operating rooms both domestically and internationally.

Why is Surgical Slush Important?

Surgical slush machines play a crucial role in the preservation of tissue and organs by rapidly cooling them with soft frozen saline or other preferred solutions for regional hypothermia during surgical procedures. This cooling process is essential in reducing the body’s core temperature, thereby decreasing the rate of oxygen release into the tissues. By safely lowering the body’s metabolic rate, surgeons are able to ensure the preservation of organs and tissue with reduced blood flow. Additionally, some surgical slush solutions serve as sterilization agents, sterilizing and sealing specific areas of the body from contaminants during procedures, thus minimizing contamination leakage. The consistency of surgical slush remains intact even when pumped through small tubing such as catheters.

Why are Fluid Warmers Important?

Throughout surgical procedures, patients may experience a drop in body temperature due to anesthetics or the use of cold fluids such as surgical slush. Although localized hypothermia may be necessary at the surgical site, perioperative hypothermia remains a prevalent issue. While under anesthesia, the body’s metabolic heat production decreases, and heat is redistributed from the core to the periphery. Two primary techniques are employed to raise patients’ body temperature: forced hot air warmers and intravenous fluid warmers.

What Types of Procedures Would Use Surgical Slush and Solution Warmers?

• Cardiac procedures
• Urologic procedures
• Vascular procedures
• General procedures
• Transplant surgical procedures

Ecolab ORS 1075HS Hush Slush Machine

Ecolab is widely recognized for its high-quality products, particularly in the field of surgical slush systems and fluid warmers. The ORS 1075HS hush slush unit is designed to produce smooth slush, enhancing patient safety and reducing nursing time with its automatic stirring technology. The Auto-Stir feature in Ecolab systems ensures that the slush remains soft and free of sharp edges that could potentially cause harm to delicate tissues or organs. Additionally, the caster wheels enable easy transportation of the Hush Slush unit between operating rooms, making it readily available during surgical procedures.

Ecolab 2038D Fluid Warmer

The Ecolab ORS 2038D stands out as a highly sought-after solution warming unit. It provides access to warm irrigation fluid and offers temperature control to enhance patient safety and minimize the likelihood of hypothermia. The temperature can reach up to approximately 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The 2038D can be installed on the ORS-1075HS Hush Slush Machine or utilized as a standalone unit. Additionally, there is an optional portable stand available. The basin has a capacity of 3.8 liters with a minimum fluid level of 0.5 liters.

What is Unique About the Basin in Surgical Slush Machines?

Various types of basins are employed in surgical slush units. The metal basin serves as an insulator to quickly cool down organs being transferred from the donor to the recipient. Rapid cooling is essential to maintain the functionality of these organs. Advanced features like Auto-Stir, present in units such as the Ecolab ORS 1075HS and the Ecolab ORS 1058HS, automatically agitate the surgical slush for improved performance.

What Kind of Drapes Are Used on Surgical Slush Machines and Fluid Warmers?

There are various slush drapes available from different manufacturers. These drapes are plastic sheets designed to cover the basin of a surgical slush unit or a fluid warming unit. The plastic serves as a barrier to prevent the basin from coming into contact with the slush, and also protects the unit from bodily fluids related to the transplanted organ. This contributes to patient safety and helps maintain the sterility of the operating room.

Purchasing a Hush Slush Machine of a Fluid Warmer

If you are looking to purchase a hush-slush machine or a solution warmer, Soma has a few different options for you. Soma has highly trained and knowledgeable sales representatives who can walk you through your or your facility’s options. They have experience in helping set up operating rooms as well, so make sure to ask them about other capital medical equipment as well. You can request a quote on Soma’s website and a representative will respond to you within 1 business day. You can call Soma at 1-800-438-7662, email [email protected], or contact your representative. Please let your rep know of any upcoming projects that your facility may be planning, and they can help procure your equipment.

The Refurbishment Process

Soma implements a comprehensive refurbishment procedure at our manufacturing facility certified with ISO 13485. Initially, the purchasing department acquires a unit. They are currently in search of equipment, therefore, if you have a capital medical equipment for sale, kindly get in touch with the Procurement Team about selling your used medical equipment. We are 100% HIPAA compliant and have a 24-hour lead response time. Once these machines come into our facility, they are cleaned and tested. Our biomedical engineers are responsible for calibrating these units back to their original manufacturer’s specifications and the replacement of any necessary parts. Next, these units are sent to the cosmetics team which fixes any scuff marks, scratches, or dings to the unit. Here the units are sanded, painted, and have stickers and decals applied. After these units are aesthetically fixed, they are tested again in a quality check. These units are then carefully packaged and shipped to your medical facility where they can be used immediately to provide quality healthcare. Most of the units come with a one-year warranty on parts and labor.

Final Thoughts

Ecolab faces strong competition from RAC Medical Solutions, a company that provides a range of products including fluid-warming basins and slush drapes. Have you had any experience using products from RAC Medical Solutions? Additionally, Soma has its own Parts Division which specializes in selling spare parts for hush-slush machines and fluid warmers. Have you ever rented or purchased a machine from Soma Tech? Is there a particular brand of capital medical equipment that you have the most confidence in? Furthermore, what other types of medical equipment do you believe should be the focus of our future articles? We welcome your input in the comment section below!