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tion before deciding on which method is best. During abdominal cases,
for example, it might be best to place forced-air blankets across the
patient's arms and legs or use a warming underbody mattress to stave
off hypothermia.
Passive interventions include warmed blankets, reflective blankets,
socks, head coverings and limiting skin exposure. A warmed blanket
is a passive solution that prevents patients from losing any tempera-
ture, but if they're already hypothermic, it's not going to actively warm
them.
Evidence suggests pre-warming for a minimum of 30 minutes may
reduce the risk of subsequent hypothermia. Clinical proof that warm-
ing patients pre-operatively prevents hypothermia is developing, but it
has yet to definitively show the same level of efficacy as intraop and
post-op warming. At
the very least, pre-
warming may help
bump up core temper-
atures, so even when
patients naturally lose
heat, they won't drop
into the hypothermic
range.
4. Can warm-
ing prevent
SSIs?
Hypothermia is associ-
ated with a higher risk
of SSIs, because it
causes tissue hypoxia
P A T I E N T W A R M I N G
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Injection/Intravenous Fluid Warmers | ISO 13485:2003 Certified
1-800-862-9276 | 262-251-8356 |
www.enthermics.com
The science of warming blankets
has turned into an intelligent art
form. The new Enthermics deluxe
DC Series features:
• Individual zoned heating
• Programmable controls
• Energy-efficiency
• Ergonomic door release
With an aesthetically pleasing
design, the Enthermics DC Series
is the intelligent way to increase
patient satisfaction.
Smart. Affordable. Precise.
Warming patients
inside and out
The true Nurse's Aide
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