Active Warming: Preventing Surgical Hypothermia
AnnMarie Jekel
Western Governors University

Active Warming: Preventing Surgical Hypothermia

A1. Procedure In the current peri-operative setting in our surgical outpatient clinic, when getting a patient ready for surgery there are many steps. We start with verifying correct person, procedure and doctor. Then we confirm proper labs and medications have been ordered and administered. Last on the list is prepping extremities for procedures as necessary. One item that has been under addressed is patient core temperature. We check our patients temperatures prior to surgery, as well as during and after surgery. We offer warm bath blankets, but these get cold in about 10 minutes. Often after surgery we are challenged with the task of playing catch up in terms of the patients’ core temperature. Studies have shown that as little as 10 minutes of active warming pre-operatively can help prevent peri-operative hypothermia. (Horn et al., 2012)

A2a. Basis for Practice The procedure for using warm blankets as a pre-operative warming technique was chosen by the director of nursing for the surgical outpatient clinic. This decision was supported by the medical director who is also the head of anesthesia.

A2b. Rationale The director choose this method of warming as she saw it to be a cost saving method over using one time use forced air warmers. She supported her decision with the high cost of additional units, lack of space to store them and short operative procedures.

A2c. Explanation The explanation given as to why the practice occurs, is that the current system has been in place for many years. The warming units and the bath blankets have been paid for and are in good condition. Many of the surgeries performed in the outpatient clinic are less than 60 minutes.

A3a. Reference List
Benson, E. E.,