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E M E R G E N C Y
R E S P O N S E
Managing an MH Crisis
Prepare your staff for this
rare but deadly condition.
Marie Garner, RN, MSN, CNOR Birmingham, Ala.
CODE BLUE It's all hands on deck whenever an MH alarm is sounded.
Malignant hyperthermia strikes fast and it strikes hard. Its subtle warning
signs are detected by the most aware of anesthesia providers. Its only treatment demands precise coordination from a quick-thinking and quick-acting team comprised of every available member of the surgical staff. Here's what you need to know about this rare but deadly condition.
Warning signs and risk factors
According to the Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States, MH is an inherited disorder due to an acceleration of metabolism in skeletal