Model Airglove -Air Warming System

The service evaluation aimed to provide evidence as to the efficacy, patient comfort, ease of use and operator preference of Airglove warming device. Patients were selected who had known difficulties in accessing a vein for obtaining blood samples or cannulation by the oncology nurses.

They were chosen at random regardless of their sex, age, gender, medical conditions and provided a cohort with a wide range of cancers. Cannulation on was successful on first attempt in 70 out of 80 patients (87.5%) and they reported “it was very comfortable compared to the hot water method”  To view and download the full MTW report please click here.

Awarded Seal of Excellence – Certificate delivered by the European Commission as the institute managing Horizon 2020, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation 2014- 2020.

Airglove is an award winning innovation and was “Highly Commended” in the West Midlands Academic Science Network Celebration of Innovation Awards 2017. Medilink West Midlands also awarded Airglove the runner up in the category of “Partnership with the NHS” at the Medical & Healthcare Business Awards 2017.

When patients were asked during the MTW Service Evaluation by the oncology nurses what they thought about the Airglove experience many reported:

“it was very comfortable compared to the hot water method”
“it was more comfortable than a bucket of water ”
“it was easy to use”

No more improvisation with warm water, heat packs or even heated towels to try and gain access to patients veins which can be a Health & Safety issue.  Airglove temperature can be selected to suit each skin type sensitive 31.5oC, normal 35.5oC or slightly heavier 38.05oC with the unit automatically re-setting itself to normal skin type (setting 2 35.5oC) after each use. Airglove can help to make the patient more comfortable and relaxed with its gentle warming system with the confidence that the nurse practitioner will be able to access their veins.

Airglove has taken 3 years of development, research, testing and clinical trials by Green Cross Medico in conjunction with NHS Innovations South East and The Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust hospital. It was developed as there was a clearly defined and acknowledged need by medical professionals at The Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust hospital oncology department.