Employee Name
________________________________________________________________________________
Date
___________________________
Facilty/Dept.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Date
___________________________
Purpose:
The goal of actively warming patients during surgery is to help prevent intraoperative hypothermia. Forced-air warming is an active
warming method for maintaining normothermia in surgical patients. Normothermia maintenance has been cited as a tool in SSI reduction efforts.
1
Members of the intraoperative team must be knowledgeable about the benefits of warming surgical patients using an active warming method such
as 3M™ Bair Hugger™ Normothermia System, and how to connect and disconnect the warming unit to a 3M™ Bair Hugger™ warming blanket or
gown.
Skills Checklist
Using a 3M™ Bair Hugger™ warming unit Model 675
Continued on back
1. Prior to connecting the Bair Hugger warming unit
Meets
Standards
a.
Verify the Instructions for Use, including Contraindications, Warnings, and Cautions have been read.
b.
Verify heat will not be applied to lower extremities during aortic cross-clamping.
c.
Verify the Bair Hugger warming unit is safely placed on a flat, hard surface, or securely mounted on a rolling cart or IV pole. If using an IV
pole, ensure the warming unit is less than 44
"
[112 cm] from the floor and the IV pole wheelbase diameter must be at least 28
"
[71 cm] to
prevent tipping.
d.
Position the Bair Hugger warming blanket or warming gown on the patient per the Instructions for Use.
2. Connect the Bair Hugger warming unit
a.
Connect the warming unit to a properly grounded power source.
b.
Verify the power button illuminates amber, indicating the warming unit has power.
c.
If using optional rolling cart:
Ensure not to place the warming unit and rolling cart on an inclined surface of more than 7 degrees with
rear casters facing downward angle.
d.
If using optional rolling cart:
Ensure not to move the rolling cart when the front casters are locked.
e.
Ensure the patient does not lie on the warming unit hose or the hose does not have direct skin contact during warming.
f.
Ensure the Bair Hugger warming unit Model 675 is only connected to a 3M warming blanket or gown to prevent thermal injury.
Select the appropriate hose port.
g.
Ensure the patient is not treated with the warming unit hose alone.
h.
Insert the end of the warming unit hose into the hose port of the blanket or gown up to the stop collar.
Use a twisting motion to ensure a snug fit.
i.
Support the hose using the sheet clip to ensure secure attachment.
j.
Press the appropriate button (i.e., 32°C, 38°C, 43°C or Ambient) to select the temperature.
k.
Verify the LCD display screen shows the temperature of the air exiting the hose.
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guideline for the Prevention of Surgical Site Infection Prevention, 2017
Guidelines for Perioperative Practice: AORN, 2018
