4 2 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • J U L Y 2 0 1 9
T
hink of patient warming like saving for retirement —
the sooner you begin, the more effective it is. Applying
active warming measures in pre-op builds up a bank of
thermal heat in patients so they're better able to with-
stand the chilling effects of donning a thin gown and
laying in a cool OR while being subjected to the vasodilation prop-
erties of general anesthesia. During induction, thermal energy shifts
from the body's core to its periphery, putting patients at increased
risk of hypothermia-related complications. Hypothermic patients
Connie Garrett, MSN, RN, CNL, CNOR | Tampa, Fla.
Don't Put Off Patient Warming
Efforts to prevent hypothermia work best when they begin in pre-op.
• WARM AIR Pre-warming prevents the significant temperature drop that can occur during anesthesia induction.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR
