why are OR's so cold

Specialties Operating Room

Published

Why are OR's cold? So many surgeries are 1 - 2 hours max, out-patient cases, the patient is not deeply sedated, they are awake enough to feel the cold. We use Bair Huggers pre and post op but the patients freeze in the OR. Some surgeons allow Bair Huggers to be used in the OR but why is there even the need for one? Why is the OR so cold!

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Specializes in Obs & gynae theatres.

Because when you're scrubbed and under the lights it gets damned hot! Saves the scrub nurse passing out.

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Specializes in Peri-op/Sub-Acute ANP.

We use a Bair on EVERY patient, EVERY case. If you find your patients are cold in the OR then that is a problem with your anesthesiologists not standing up for their patient and insisting that the patient have a Bair on them (of course, as a nurse you are also an advocate for this so you're not off the hook if you notice a problem and don't do anything to fix it).

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Specializes in Peri-Op.

Optimal Temperature is 64-72f if I remember right. #1 it reduces bacteria growth. Also when I'm scrubbed in or circulating a busy case it gets fn hot. I will sweat quite a bit as will a lot of people in the OR.

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Hi, thanks for replying. I am a pre/post op nurse, but I didn't make that clear in my OT. I have been in OR's for moderate sedation cases, I wasn't directly under the OR light but it seems it is shining on the surgical site, not on the staff? With out patient surgeries we are talking about 1 - 2 hour cases, not HOURS in a busy case under the hot OR lights. Does anybody have scientific data about the temperature of an OR inhibiting bacteria? I can't believe a room temp of 64 F is going to stop any bacteria? To be honest you haven't convinced me of a need for cold OR's in "routine" out patient surgeries.

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Scrubs + gown + hat + gloves + mask under the OR lights = darned hot! The light may shine on the procedure site, but the heat from the lights radiates in all directions from the light. I've never heard anyone suggest that the lower temps in ORs inhibits bacterial growth -- my guess is that the reason for the temperature in most ORs is that it's what the surgeons want, for their own comfort ...

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Specializes in Operating Room.
Scrubs + gown + hat + gloves + mask under the OR lights = darned hot! The light may shine on the procedure site, but the heat from the lights radiates in all directions from the light. I've never heard anyone suggest that the lower temps in ORs inhibits bacterial growth -- my guess is that the reason for the temperature in most ORs is that it's what the surgeons want, for their own comfort ...
Plus, don't forget lead aprons..I've taken those things off after a case(even a 2 hour one) and been all sweaty.

It's hot when you're scrubbed but unless you've been there, you really won't get it.

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Specializes in OR.

must admit that if surgeons work for their own comfort; then they really arent patient focused. temperature should be kept between 18-24 degrees celcius roughly 72 farenheit. to prevent infection and also maintain adequate humidity. humidity is a key factor in increasing bacterial growth. if the or is cold, then humidity is less which promotes the growth of viruses. bacteria needs temp higher than 72 farenheit to cause infection.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
must admit that if surgeons work for their own comfort; then they really arent patient focused. temperature should be kept between 18-24 degrees celcius roughly 72 farenheit. to prevent infection and also maintain adequate humidity. humidity is a key factor in increasing bacterial growth. if the or is cold, then humidity is less which promotes the growth of viruses. bacteria needs temp higher than 72 farenheit to cause infection.

I'm going to have to disagree with you on this. A surgeon who is comfortable is going to be able to give his/her full attention to the surgery/patient and not be distracted by sweat dripping in their eyes or other distractions from discomfort. Also, under the hot lights/lead/gowns, we've had a few people get so hot that they ended up passing out- one while still holding a retractor and starting to pull the patient off the table.

There is a limit to how low the temperature should be allowed to go, but keeping a room at 72 degrees is unrealistic. Our lower limit is supposed to be 68, but for longer cases involving lead (which isn't just an apron, but wraps the whole way around) it's not uncommon to see it dropped to 66. However, we always turn the heat up for induction and emergence, and all patients have a forced air warming blanket turned on high.

There really has to be a balance between patient comfort and surgeon comfort. I'd want the surgeon who is comfortable and better able to concentrate on me.

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Specializes in OR.

Until you've seen a bead of sweat roll off someone's forehead and onto the surgical field I don't think you can fully appreciate the need to keep the heat down in the room.

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I'm going to have to disagree with you on this. A surgeon who is comfortable is going to be able to give his/her full attention to the surgery/patient and not be distracted by sweat dripping in their eyes or other distractions from discomfort. Also, under the hot lights/lead/gowns, we've had a few people get so hot that they ended up passing out- one while still holding a retractor and starting to pull the patient off the table.

There is a limit to how low the temperature should be allowed to go, but keeping a room at 72 degrees is unrealistic. Our lower limit is supposed to be 68, but for longer cases involving lead (which isn't just an apron, but wraps the whole way around) it's not uncommon to see it dropped to 66. However, we always turn the heat up for induction and emergence, and all patients have a forced air warming blanket turned on high.

There really has to be a balance between patient comfort and surgeon comfort. I'd want the surgeon who is comfortable and better able to concentrate on me.

Until you've seen a bead of sweat roll off someone's forehead and onto the surgical field I don't think you can fully appreciate the need to keep the heat down in the room.

exactly ...

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ewww- any hypothermic advantages to the patient? ;)

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