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P R E V E N T I N G
H Y P O T H E R M I A
• Warming methods: Provide a warmed blanket in pre-op, along with a
cap and socks to be worn throughout the procedure. Employ underbody resistive warming or gel-warming mattress, and warmed and
humidified low-flow anesthesia intraoperatively. In the PACU, use a
warmed blanket, then change to active forced-air warming if the
patient isn't meeting the SCIP Infection 10 criterion of 36°C within 30
minutes of the procedure's end, to be on the safe side.
• Reasons: This patient's medical history increases the chances of
perioperative hypothermia, so some of the more intensive warming
methods need to be used. Further, due to general anesthesia (along
with a spinal block) use and procedure time of at least 60 minutes (if
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O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | N O V E M B E R 2012
