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P A T I E N T
W A R M I N G
Forced-air warming has a tremendous following, backed by 25 years
of reliable use in ORs and a strong marketing presence. It's estimated
that more than 50,000 Bair Hugger forced-air warming units are currently in use across the country. Bair Hugger consists of a portable
heater/blower connected by a flexible hose to a disposable blanket that
is positioned over (or in some cases, under) surgical patients. It costs
around $16 per patient to use a Bair Hugger, compared to $6 to $7 for
warmed blankets, says a source.
"Our patients are happy with warmed blankets. Our aim is to make
them relax and feel comfortable, just like they would at home," says
Mary Radke, RN, BSN, manager of the Dakota Surgery and Laser Center
in Bismarck, N.D. "When you use just a warmed blanket, it makes the
patient stay relaxed instead of having other devices put on you that
make the patient feel more worried about the procedure. We place all
our patients in a recliner, offer a warmed blanket and keep the lights
turned low. We spend a lot of time at their chair side and it relaxes them.
Then the doctor walks them back to the OR and we offer them another
warm blanket."
Finally, we heard from 1 facility that heats its patients and cools its
surgeons. It keeps the OR suites at a minimum temperature of 73°F to
74°F, and provides cooling vests for its physicians. OSM
E-mail doconnor@outpatientsurgery.net.
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