Asking the experts

By Andrew Langmead

Robwyn Gregson is the Clinical Area Manager for Maiyers Australia, and has years of experience working the field of neonatal intensive care. I spoke to Robwyn to gain an expert’s insight into the Incuheal and the benefits it could offer in today’s medical industry.

“There is a definite requirement with babies that are pre-term – less than 40 weeks – due to them having significantly less body fat,” Robwyn begins. “The most effective method of warming an infant is by contact with the mother’s skin – it’s natural, effective, clean, just the right temperature and there’s no equipment required. This isn’t always possible though, so there are various methods to keep newborn infants warm”.

There are various methods is a hospital setting, the most common of which is referred to simply as an ‘infant warmer’: an umbrella-like device that goes over a cot to provide radiant heat.

Robwyn’s assessment of the Incuheal highlighted some key features; “The advantages of a system like the Incuheal are that it’s inexpensive, it doesn’t require a vast amount of operator training, there are no components to fail – other than the bag getting a hole – and it can be used safely in the home or in a hospital setting.”

One of most critical side effects would be burns to the occupant, which is why the Incuheal lining is designed to be of a thickness such that the interior temperature could not reach such temperatures.

A keen supporter of the Incuheal, Robwyn will be assisting the design of and overseeing the trial process. Initially to involve a trial with premature lambs and piglets, the later stages plan to carry out a 500 patient, multi-disciplinary trail across four sites. The settings will be community, general hospital, and two rural environments, to effectively demonstrate the device in a number of working environments.

Robwyn described a new scheme the government is launching, “looking at regulating the training of midwives that are qualified to do home births.” She explains that “the government is putting together a pack to for midwives to have with them when delivering a baby in the home. An Incuheal would be a very significant device to add to that pack in the event that the child had to be safely and warmly transported.”

Preterm babies die because they’re not able to thermo-regulate effectively, an issue the Incuheal is designed to relieve. Robwyn highlights the importance of the material being resistant to common hospital grade disinfectant solutions. “Particularly if the device is to be used in a home or third world environment, the ability for it to be easily cleaned, disinfected and maintained is key. The choice of a rubberised PVC material would cater well to these requirements.”

As the Clinical Area Manager for one of Australia's leading medical supply companies, Robwyn’s enthusiasm for the Incuheal is valued immensely by our team, and we thank her for offering her time and support.