1 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 • A P R I L 2 0 1 7
Ideas Work
P r a c t i c a l p e a r l s f r o m y o u r c o l l e a g u e s
That
T
emperature rise
is one of the
early signs of
malignant hyperther-
mia. In outpatient set-
tings, there's a tenden-
cy to think you can
monitor the patient's
temperature once in a
while and be fine, but
we know from past
MH cases that temper-
atures can rise very
quickly within 30 min-
utes of induction. The
temperature rise that signals MH can happen at any time during a case
— even in the PACU.
Continuous electronic core temperature monitoring is essential to
detect MH. You might use stick-on thermometers, but the overhead
fluorescent lights in the OR can make for inaccurate readings. I rec-
ommend using temperature probes for the tympanic membrane or
esophagus — probes for bladder and rectal temps are effective, too —
for any procedures that use general anesthetics and last longer than
30 minutes.
Charles B. Watson, MD, FCCM
Bridgeport (Conn.) Hospital
cbwmdct@aol.com
Monitor Core Temps to Detect the Onset of MH
• ON THE RISE Probes for the tympanic membrane or esophagus (shown) can
detect a malignant hyperthermia-related rise in the patient's core temperature.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN
