The Safe and Efficient Use of Forced-Air Warming Systems

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.