M A y 2 0 1 8 • O U T PA T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T • 2 3
W
arm patients are happy patients, but the benefits
of maintaining normothermia extend well beyond
the "ahh" factor. Warming surface skin areas
increases blood flow and oxygen levels at the sub-
cutaneous space, which is where superficial surgi-
cal site infections commonly occur. Increasing the blood supply to
incisions also leads to better wound healing. Here's why controlling a
patient's core body temperature through active warming should be
part of your efforts to ensure patients leave your facility with nothing
more than a healthy, healing scar.
1. Hypothermia helps bacteria
Bacteria that enter surgical incisions are attacked by white blood cells
and antibodies. Quality laboratory-based data show white blood cells
E. Patchen Dellinger, MD | Seattle, Wash.
Patient Warming Stops SSIs Cold
Maintaining normothermia promotes wound
healing and helps reduce infection risks.
• COLD TRUTH Preventing hypother-
mia limits cutaneous vasoconstric-
tion, increases tissue oxygenation and
improves immune cell function.