hypothermic during surgery. We chose
two hours as our length-of-surgery bench-
mark because most ortho procedures that
are less than two hours don't result in sig-
nificant blood loss, which has been linked
to unplanned perioperative hypothermia.
The algorithm is a simple visual guide
to direct providers who may not be
versed in our warming protocols. While
the completed algorithm is a very simple
tool, its creation was a process — with
several changes in format before we set-
tled on the version and metrics we're
using today. If you're planning on creat-
ing an algorithm at your facility, you need
to function as a team and solicit and
implement staff feedback.
Warming trend
I was optimistic about the prewarming trial, but the
results exceeded even my own expectations. Each
of the initial six participating surgeons agreed to
implement the warming protocols on a permanent
basis. Plus, anesthesiologists were
extremely vocal about how the
active prewarming made an imme-
diate difference in their abilities to
maintain normothermia among
NM patients. Not only have we
added the protocol to all ortho
patients who fit the algorithm's
criteria and our NUSS patients in
general surgery, several leaders
of neurology, ENT, urology, oph-
thalmology and plastics service
lines are interested in adding the
algorithm to their respective
protocols. Our efforts show you
can make big changes and get
major results — as long as you're
willing to put in the work and take
the time to get all staff members
and providers involved to buy into
the change.
OSM
4 4 • O U T P A T I
E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 1
RAC Medical Solutions
www.racmedicalsolutions.com
Customer Service: (855) 798-6685 (6AM – 9PM CST)
Email Orders: orders@racmedicalsolutions.com
Sales and Marketing: marketing@racmedicalsolutions.com
Coming in 1st Quarter 2021 –
RAC9000 Sedberry Slush Machine!!
Contract number 44467 Healthtrust /HPG
RAC Medical Solutions offers:
• Irrigation Fluid Warming
Systems and Drapes
– Designed for use with
Irrigation Fluid Warming
and Slush Systems
• Made in the USA
• Veteran-owned small business
• Friendly service - best-in-
class products to the medical
providers
Ms. Abbott (kabbott@
phoenixchildrens.com) is
the clinical nurse specialty
lead in Orthopedics/Spine for
Phoenix (Ariz.) Children's
Hospital.
WARM FLUID In addition to active warming of pre- and intraoperative patients, heating fluids via a warming
cabinet is another way to ensure normothermia.
Pamela
Bevelhymer