NO TUCK Wrapping the pull strips of the forced hot air blanket around the little pegs on the side rails holds the blanket in and out of the surgeon or robot's way.

BLANKET SECURITY
Tie Warming Blankets to Bed Posts

During laparoscopic and robotic procedures, we place GYN patients in lithotomy with their arms tucked at their sides. When placing the warming blanket, most people just tuck it under the mattress. Sometimes this doesn't secure the blanket and it pops out during the procedure. At that point, the circulating nurse has to duck under the drapes and attempt to re-secure the blanket. This can be complicated by the position of the robot. Instead of tucking the blanket under the mattress, I tuck it under the cassette platform and secure it with the perforated ties to the posts. It won't pop out, and it may actually keep the warm air circulating under as well as over the patient.

Alice Morrison Martin, RN, BSN
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, Mass.
[email protected]