Why Maintaining Normothermia Matters for Wound Healing – Insights from Andrew Cristian Melling
AC Melling, Senior Lecturer in Operating Department Practice at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), has spent decades educating and researching best practices in perioperative care. With a focus on surgical site infection (SSI) prevention and patient safety, he’s widely respected in the clinical community for translating complex research into real-world improvements.
In a recent testimonial, Andy shared how maintaining normothermia—normal body temperature—plays a vital role in preventing infections and promoting optimal wound healing. His insights, based on both research and frontline clinical experience, underline why active patient warming should be a non-negotiable part of surgical care.
The Science Is Clear: Temperature Affects Healing
“Wounds heal best in normal conditions.” — AC Melling
Every surgical incision carries the risk of infection. According to Andy, two main factors influence whether a wound becomes infected:
- The level of bacterial contamination
- The patient’s immune response
And what impacts the immune system more than many people realize? Patient temperature.
“If temperature is lower, our immune function is less effective. Our immune function is best at 37°C.”
Hypothermia—body temperature below normal—reduces immune cell activity (like neutrophils and killer cells), slows tissue perfusion, and leads to vasoconstriction. This results in reduced oxygen and nutrients delivered to the wound site, which in turn slows down healing and increases infection risk.
Why Warming Devices Are Critical in the Operating Room
Maintaining normothermia doesn’t just improve healing. It can:
- Enhance oxygen delivery to tissues
- Minimize shivering and post-op discomfort
- Reduce the risk of costly infections
- Speed up recovery time
Andrew emphasizes the importance of solutions that are cost-effective, sustainable, and easy to use. He also points out how human error is a risk in clinical settings—and how smart warming systems can help minimize that.
Why TSC Life
“TSC Life comes across as an ethical company. It listens to experts, researchers, and clinicians—and it responds.”
TSC Life’s approach to innovation is grounded in real-world clinical input. According to Andy, our commitment to patient safety, continuous improvement, and practical innovation makes a real difference on the front lines of care.
Let’s Connect and work together on improving patient outcomes
If you’re looking for reliable, effective ways to maintain normothermia and reduce surgical site infections, let’s connect. Whether you’re a clinician, decision-maker, or procurement lead, we’d love to show you how our solutions can support your goals.
