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FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Q. What is the
purpose of Thermoflect?
A. Thermoflect is a unique patient warming material used to prevent
hypothermia, thereby improving a patient's clinical outcome and reducing
costs.
Q. How does
Thermoflect reduce healthcare costs?
A. Managing hypothermia helps reduce the length of hospital stays. By
reducing surgical site infections (SSIs), it reduces the need for
additional medications.
Q. Why prevent
hypothermia?
A. Evidence based practices confirm SSI rates are more than triple in
hypothermic patients. The key to reducing this and associated risks is
prevention.
Q. What is
hypothermia?
A. Hypothermia is a core body temperature of less than 36°C
(96.8°F). The three levels of hypothermia: Mild: 32°C - 36°C
(89°F - 96.8°F), Moderate: 30°C - 32°C (86°F -
89°F), Severe: < 30°C (<86°F)
Q. How is
Thermoflect used most effectively?
A. For optimum results, Thermoflect should be used according to these
three principles.
1. Cover the patient early
2. Cover the maximum body surface area
3. Maintain the maximum coverage through
all phases of the perioperative experience (Pre-Op, OR, and PACU)
Q. Is pre-warming important?
A. It can make a big difference. Pre-warming the patient for at least 15
minutes before the induction of anesthesia should be considered for
patients at risk of unplanned hypothermia. Warming the patient's skin and
peripheral tissues prevents redistribution hypothermia.
Q. Can Thermoflect
be used in conjunction with other warming methods?
A. Yes. Thermoflect can be supplemented with either warmed cotton
blankets or forced air re-warming.
Q. Can Thermoflect
be sterilized?
A. Yes. Thermoflect can be sterilized with ethylene oxide. However, the
need for sterilization is not common because a sterile drape is typically
placed over Thermoflect.
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