News

The packaging services division of British Polythene Industries (BPI) has launched the plastic baby life-support pouch (BLiSP) to help protect premature babies from hypothermia.

The single-use BLiSP, made from a "special blend of LDPE" by BPI Packaging Services, has been developed with Neonatal Developments in Southampton.

It has a clear-fronted design with a self-closing flap to enable infants to be placed in the pouch without any need for scissors. This central access point ensures accessibility to the umbilicus and clamp.

James McNally, national sales manager of BPI Packaging Services, said hospitals previously used ordinary plastic bags and sheets to keep newly born premature babies warm before they were taken to a specialist unit. They also used scissors to cut holes in the plastic.

"The BLiSP is easier to use because there are openings for the insertion of lines and leads and special perforations down the side which are easily opened when the baby needs to be taken out and placed in an incubator," he said.

The clear front also allows hospital staff to visually monitor the condition of the baby at all times.

McNally added that a pouch for full-term babies was under development. This could be supplied to ambulance crews.