patient comfort. Maintaining normothermia helps prevent shivering,
increased blood pressure, surgical site infections and decreased drug
metabolism — important issues that jeopardize patient health and
stall recoveries.
But don't ignore the physiological and psychological benefits of a
warmed blanket, says Ms. Wein. Her patients are wrapped in warmed
blankets as they exit the OR, and her staff keeps forced-air warming
blankets in pre-op and the PACU to ensure patients remain normo-
thermic and comfortable throughout the duration of their stay.
4. Permanent site marking
Patients who present for cataract surgery at Barnet Dulaney Perkins
Eye Center point to the correct eye during the pre-op assessment and a
nurse places a sticker dot above it. The surgeon then uses a surgical
marking pen to sign his initials on the dot during his pre-surgical assess-
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