Estimated Time of Completion

30 minutes

The combination of anesthetic-induced impairment of thermoregulatory control and exposure to a cool operating room environment makes most surgical patients hypothermic. However, there is compelling evidence that even mild hypothermia causes serious adverse outcomes. Consequently, it is now routine to maintain intraoperative normothermia (core temperature >36°C) unless therapeutic hypothermia is specifically indicated.

Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the participant will be able to:

1. Review prevention and treatment of perioperative hypothermia.

Target Audience

This activity is intended for anesthesiologists and other physicians and nurses caring for perioperative and critical-care patients.

Accreditation

The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Center for Continuing Education is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Center for Continuing Education designates this educational activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This activity may be submitted for American Osteopathic Association Continuing Medical Education credit in Category 2.

Activity Director

Daniel I. Sessler, MD
Chairman, Department of Outcomes Research
The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Cleveland, Ohio

Author / Faculty

Daniel I. Sessler, MD 

Faculty Disclosure

In accordance with the Standards for Commercial Support issued by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Center for Continuing Education requires resolution of all faculty conflicts of interest to ensure CME activities are free of commercial bias.

The following faculty has indicated that he may have relationships, which in the context of his presentation(s), could be perceived as a potential conflict of interest: