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The AORN recommendation for OR temps is supposed to be between 68-73. Some facilities follow this policy and some don't, but you can usually turn the temp up in rooms to a more optimal temp unless the surgeon is just a jerk. That being said people layer clothes, wear thin thermals under their scrubs, use an extra Bair hugger, wrap themselves in a warm blanket, warm their hands on desflurane vaporizer etc.
The AORN recommendation for OR temps is supposed to be between 68-73. Some facilities follow this policy and some don't, but you can usually turn the temp up in rooms to a more optimal temp unless the surgeon is just a jerk. That being said people layer clothes, wear thin thermals under their scrubs, use an extra Bair hugger, wrap themselves in a warm blanket, warm their hands on desflurane vaporizer etc.
You can do this but you will spend the whole case having the doctor, fellow, pa, scrub tech etc asking you to turn the air down. People don't truly understand how hot it gets until they have actually scrubbed.
You can do this but you will spend the whole case having the doctor, fellow, pa, scrub tech etc asking you to turn the air down. People don't truly understand how hot it gets until they have actually scrubbed.
I have worked at facilities that work with room temps down in the high 50s and as high as the mid 70s. The surgeons, scrubs etc all have survived at warmer temps, and in the end the patient does better when the temp is at least 68-70 in the room. The key is to make a policy and enforce it. Then when and if the people scrubbing in are still too hot there are a variety of personal cooling options that the hospital can purchase and utilize.
I have worked at facilities that work with room temps down in the high 50s and as high as the mid 70s. The surgeons, scrubs etc all have survived at warmer temps, and in the end the patient does better when the temp is at least 68-70 in the room. The key is to make a policy and enforce it. Then when and if the people scrubbing in are still too hot there are a variety of personal cooling options that the hospital can purchase and utilize.
I guess I should have explained better. I know the patient does better when they are warm. And yes, there are times when the patient is actually cold. I'm talking about when the CRNA has in short sleeves, the Bair Hugger shoved up their shirt, and bump the air up because the "patient" is cold.
I guess I should have explained better. I know the patient does better when they are warm. And yes, there are times when the patient is actually cold. I'm talking about when the CRNA has in short sleeves, the Bair Hugger shoved up their shirt, and bump the air up because the "patient" is cold.
I know what you mean, but the surgeon and scrubs aren't the only people in the room. That is why there should be consistent OR temp policies that are used and enforced. It ends the arguments on both sides.
RN6789
3 Posts
I am fascinated with nurse anesthesia; I was just accepted to a CRNA program to start this August. One of the things I wonder about are ways that CRNAs stay warm in the OR - what is sterile and acceptable?