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The Safe and Efficient Use of Forced‐Air Warming Systems
Author(s) -
Wu Xuelei
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
aorn journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 43
eISSN - 1878-0369
pISSN - 0001-2092
DOI - 10.1016/j.aorn.2012.12.008
Subject(s) - hypothermia , perioperative , medicine , intensive care medicine , forced air , perioperative nursing , anesthesia , medical emergency , engineering , mechanical engineering
Maintaining perioperative normothermia is important to ensure that a patient does not experience inadvertent hypothermia and its consequences, such as increased blood loss, cardiac abnormalities, prolonged recovery, and increased risk for wound infection. Many clinical guidelines recommend the use of forced‐air warming as one of several techniques to prevent inadvertent perioperative hypothermia. Safe use of forced‐air warming devices includes choosing the right device, assessing the patient for risks, protecting the patient from burn injuries, appropriately maintaining the patient's body temperature, and using the device as directed by the manufacturer's recommendations. Staff members should receive education on hypothermia and warming technology on a regular basis.