Elios Heating & Phototherapy Lamp vs. Individual Units: Which is Best?
If you're searching for the best phototherapy lamp or infant heating lamp, you're likely comparing traditional individual devices, rather than looking at an all-in-one model. The Elios 3-in-1 Phototherapy and Heating Lamp, however, offers just that - integrating radiant warming, phototherapy and an examination light into a single space-saving unit.
In this blog, we’ll compare the Elios unit with separate phototherapy and heating lamps, helping you to decide which equipment might suit your neonatal care environment best.
What Is the Elios 3-in-1 Phototherapy and Heating Lamp?
The Elios 3-in-1 Heating and Phototherapy Lamp is a multifunctional device designed for use in postnatal wards, neonatal units and low-level care settings where neonatal patient warming and/or phototherapy treatment might be required. It combines:
- Radiant warming lamp
- Phototherapy lamp (equivalent to double phototherapy)
- Examination light
- Plus: An included skin temperature probe for precise thermal regulation
This integration makes it an appealing option for hospitals and maternity wards with limited space, budget constraints or streamlined workflows.
Elios 3-in-1 vs. Individual Neonatal Lamps: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Elios 3-in-1 Lamp | Individual Units |
| Space Required | Minimal - one device | Requires space for two units |
| Power Usage | One outlet | Multiple outlets |
| Staff Training | One system to learn | Separate training for each unit |
| Cost & Maintenance | One warranty & service plan | Separate contracts and maintenance |
| Phototherapy Level | Fixed (double) | Adjustable (single, double, triple) |
| Ideal Setting | Postnatal wards, low-level care | Neonatal intensive care units (NICU), special care baby units (SCBU) |
| Baby Access & Bonding | Less obstructive | Can be bulky and obstructive |
Top Advantages of the Elios Heating & Phototherapy Lamp
Space-Saving Design for Wards
Hospitals and clinics often struggle with space around neonatal beds and cots. The Elios eliminates the need for multiple bulky devices by offering phototherapy and warming in one unit, freeing up room for better baby access and easier clinical care.
Not only that, but because both the phototherapy and heating functionalities can operate at the same time, it ensures that both are directly over the baby when in use. This is unlike separate units, whereby its harder to efficiently target as much surface area of the baby as possible with both units due to the limited space available surrounding the cot. If the two units feature incompatibly designed stands, this can makes this even more difficult.
The benefit of having only one unit rather than two is also beneficial when it comes to storage needs. For hospitals and care settings that have limited storage space and don't have a designated room to store equipment (as many don't), finding the space to store single units is much easier than finding the space to store double the amount due to having two separate units - all whilst benefiting from the same phototherapy and warming capabilities.
There is also the benefit that the Elios only requires access to one plug socket, rather than two.
Cost-Effective Neonatal Equipment
With the Elios, you're managing one purchase, one warranty and one service plan. This offers a number of significant benefits.
Firstly, this helps to streamline administrative work as facilities only need to manage a single quote, order, invoice and vendor, rather than having to generate separate purchase orders and coordinate with different suppliers. All of this increases the workload for procurement staff, accounts teams and clinical leads. With a single unit, the entire purchasing process becomes faster, simpler and less prone to delays or errors.
Purchasing a single product as opposed to two separate ones also speeds up procurement approval. With an integrated unit, decision-makers are reviewing just one item, which is easier to justify because it consolidates multiple functions. This can make the approval process quicker and more likely to pass through without delays, especially when time-sensitive equipment is needed.
Further benefits of this include:
- More predictable and transparent budgeting
- Reduced call-out fees
- Decreased downtime due to fewer moving parts and connections
- Simplified preventative maintenance planning
Ultimately, opting for a single, multifunctional device - such as the Elios - significantly reduces costs over time compared to buying and maintaining separate phototherapy and radiant heat lamps.
Easier Clinical Use and Staff Training
Because it's a single integrated system, the Elios simplifies staff training. New staff only need to learn one control panel and one operating procedure to manage three essential functions:
- Phototherapy
- Radiant warming
- Examination lighting
This unified interface means midwives, nurses and clinical support staff don’t have to switch between different systems, buttons or interfaces for each function. It eliminates the confusion that can arise from toggling between multiple devices made by different manufacturers - each with its own quirks, terminology and maintenance routines.
As well as saving time and reducing user errors, this can also help staff to feel more confident and competent when using the equipment, which in turn can boost care consistency.
Improved Parent-Infant Bonding
One of the most valuable, yet often overlooked aspects of neonatal equipment design is how it impacts the emotional environment - particularly the ability of parents to bond with their baby. The Elios has a thoughtfully compact and integrated design that allows for better baby access and a less clinical feel. This can support improved parental bonding, especially in postnatal recovery settings, by promoting closer, more comfortable interactions between parent and infant during critical early moments.
With traditional setups, separate phototherapy units, overhead warmers and examination lights can create a web of equipment around the cot or incubator - making it physically harder for parents to touch their baby, perform skin-to-skin (kangaroo) care and engage in face-to-face visual contact. They also result in more frequent equipment adjustments, which can further interrupt bonding time.
When Are Individual Phototherapy or Heating Lamps a Better Choice?
While Elios is ideal for many facilities, there are times when individual phototherapy lamps and infant warmers may be preferred.
Existing Equipment Inventory
If your facility already has a supply of heated mattresses, overhead warmers or phototherapy cocoons, it might make more sense to add single-function units that complement existing infrastructure.
Custom Equipment Allocation
Hospitals often need more warmers than phototherapy units, or vice versa. Using individual lamps allows for flexible equipment deployment based on the baby’s condition and care requirements.
Specific Clinical Guidelines
Some care units follow strict local or national phototherapy protocols. If your guidelines demand adjustable intensity levels or triple phototherapy, individual units with custom settings are more suitable than a fixed-output system like Elios.
Phototherapy Levels: Elios vs. Adjustable Units
The Elios phototherapy lamp provides a light intensity that is equivalent to double phototherapy, which is sufficient for most routine jaundice treatment in newborns.
However, in NICUs or special care baby units, there may be a need for single, double or triple phototherapy levels, which some standalone phototherapy units can accommodate.
With that said, it’s worth noting that excessive phototherapy can sometimes cause rebound hyperbilirubinemia - a temporary spike in bilirubin levels after treatment - so more intense light isn't always the better option.
Which Neonatal Lamp Solution Is Right for You?
If you're looking for a cost-effective, space-efficient and user-friendly solution for routine neonatal care, the Elios 3-in-1 Phototherapy and Heating Lamp is a smart choice - especially for postnatal wards and low-acuity settings.
However, if you operate in a special care unit, follow strict phototherapy protocols or need adjustable intensity levels, individual units still offer critical flexibility.
Ultimately, the right decision comes down to your facility’s care level, existing infrastructure and patient needs.
Need help choosing the right neonatal phototherapy and heating solution?
Contact us today to learn more about how the Elios 3-in-1 unit can streamline your care environment and support better outcomes for newborns.