6 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 U G U S T 2 0 1 7
Some clinicians may be holding onto beliefs about normothermia
that simply aren't true, and that may be adversely affecting
patient care. Victoria M. Steelman, PhD, RN, CNOR, FAAN, asso-
ciate professor with the University of Iowa in Iowa City, takes aim
at 4 of the most common myths.
• Myth No. 1: "Compliance equals excellent patient care."
Adhering to a specific performance metric is not an indicator of
excellent patient care. To consistently provide excellent care,
implement evidence-based practices and adhere to them reli-
giously. The "Prevention of Perioperative Hypothermia Tool Kit,"
which Dr. Steelman developed with the Association of
periOperative Registered Nurses, may be a good place to start
(osmag.net/XdCq8Z).
• Myth No. 2: "Cotton blankets prevent hypothermia." A warm
cotton blanket will provide ample warmth and help to keep
patients comfortable in a cool OR for about 10 minutes, but it
won't prevent the onset of hypothermia, especially in a case
involving general or neuraxial anesthesia.
"A lot of the warming we're doing for patients under monitored
anesthesia care is strictly 'comfort warming,'" she says. "For
them, a warm cotton blanket would feel very good. But I'd still
use active warming in the OR if that's what the nursing staff felt
was providing the best care."
• Myth No. 3: "I don't need to actively warm until anesthesia
starts." Although other factors may contribute to a patient's tem-
perature drop — a cool OR, large swaths of skin exposed during
prepping and draping, exposure of internal organs, and cold IV or
HOT TOPIC
Busting 4 Myths About Normothermia
