Heat in the OR and the Impact on Surgical Staff
Overview
Heat in the operating room (OR) has long been a pain point of clinical staff and affects
all members working in the OR. Environmental conditions in surgical care can vary
depending on patient need. Ambient OR temperature may need to be set above the
recommended range to maintain normothermia for certain patients, including neonates
and burn patients. Required personal protective equipment (PPE) for certain types of
procedures may also contribute to heat stress and heat discomfort. When surgical staff
experience heat stress, adverse physiological responses can result. Heat discomfort
experienced by OR team members can contribute to diminished workflow efficiency and
barriers preventing optimal team collaboration. This continuing education activity will
describe the unique challenges associated with heat in the operating room and how it
affects the surgical team.
Objectives
After completing this continuing nursing education activity, the participant should be able to:
- Discuss regulatory and professional standards and guidelines pertaining to
temperature in the operating room (OR).
- Identify key factors that contribute to clinical staff heat stress and discomfort.
- Discuss the impact of heat stress on OR team member health and the impact of
heat discomfort on OR team performance and temperament.
Accreditation information
California Board of Registered Nursing
Pfiedler Education is a provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing,
Provider Number CEP14944, for 2.0 contact hours. Obtaining full credit for this offering depends upon attendance, regardless of
circumstances, from beginning to end. Licensees must provide their license numbers for
record keeping purposes.
The certificate of course completion issued at the conclusion of this course must be
retained in the participant’s records for at least four (4) years as proof of attendance.
Content shown provided by Pfiedler Enterprises. Full references are available within the CE program, accessible via the link above.