AORN updates guideline on malignant hyperthermia
The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) has updated its "Malignant Hyperthermia Guideline," which is published in the Perioperative Standards and Recommended Practices, 2008 Edition. Updates to the guideline include new information on the complete plan of care for a malignant hyperthermia (MH) patient, beginning with preoperative nursing care. According to the guideline, the perioperative nurse should ask patients and their families questions to help screen for susceptibility to MH, such as
- Have you or a family member experienced a high fever while under anesthesia?
- Has anyone in your family died unexpectedly in the operating room?
- Have you or anyone in your family experienced sunstroke, heat stroke, or exercise-induced muscle breakdown resulting in hospitalization?
AORN's updated guideline includes tools perioperative professionals need to be prepared for a MH crisis, including:
- a list of MH triggering and nontriggering agents;
- a dosage chart for dantrolene sodium and other medications used to treat MH;
- a guide to physiology of MH;
- a sample MH crisis checklist;
- OR team roles during an MH crisis, including circulating RN and anesthesia care provider;
- suggested contents for an MH cart;
- outcome management of MH through application of the Perioperative Nursing Data Set.
The price of the 2008 publication is $79.95 for AORN members and $159.95 for nonmembers. The shipping and handling cost is $5.95. To purchase the book, visit aornbookstore.org or call (800) 755-2676.
The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) has updated its "Malignant Hyperthermia Guideline," which is published in the Perioperative Standards and Recommended Practices, 2008 Edition.You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
- Award-winning Medical Content
- Latest Advances & Development in Medicine
- Unbiased Content