Reaction Paper

PEDIATRICS Vol. 49 No. 4 April 1972, pp. 504-513 NEWBORN TEMPERATURE AND CALCULATED HEAT LOSS IN THE DELIVERY ROOM Lida Swafford Dahm M.D.1 and L. Stanley James M.D.1 Division of Perinatal Medicine of the Department of Anesthesiology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Pediatrics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University and Babies Hospital, New York, New York Newborn infants lose heat rapidly at birth and during the first half hour of life. This investigation was undertaken to determine whether the initial heat loss was due principally to evaporation, and whether or not establishment of breathing would be irregular or delayed if the initial cold stress was reduced. Five groups, each of 10 infants, were studied during the first half hour of life. Infants in Groups I and IV remained wet and were exposed to either room air or placed under a radiant heater. Those in Groups II, III, and V were dried promptly and exposed to room air, wrapped in a blanket or warmed by means of a radiant heater. Heat loss due to radiation and convection together was twice that from evaporation. Reduction of cold stress by placing the infant under a radiant heater as soon as he is born does not impede or delay the onset of breathing. Wet infants exposed to room air lost nearly five times more heat than those who were dried and warmed. In vigorous infants, the simple maneuver of drying and wrapping in a warm blanket is almost as effective in diminishing heat loss as placing them under a radiant heater. However, in depressed or immature infants who may be more asphyxiated or have reduced energy stores, radiant heat maintains body temperature while allowing access to the patient.

Rosie B Gadiaza Group 6. St. Claire Medical Center

Reaction Paper:

The article explained the importance of providing care to the neonate. On the said article, it discussed that proper drying and wrapping can promote proper heat loss. Therefore, it is a must that the delivery room must have appropriate temperature conducive to the welfare of the infant. For me, the role of the nurse is vital for the wellness of the infant, as a nurse on the delivery room, we are the first to hold and care for the baby, that is why we must be very careful and watchful in what we are doing. On the article, it explained that simple matters of drying can be a vital step towards establishing a stable circulation of the neonate’s system. The duties of the nurse on duty in the delivery room can widely affect the wellness of the baby. Nurses are the front liners on their health. We must ensure that the appropriate measures in the delivery room are strictly observed in order to minimize the fatalities that are open to the neonate. Nurses must master their skills on assessment and be able to give an appropriate and best action during the delivery.

Radiation exposure and associated risks to operating-room personnel during use of fluoroscopic guidance for selected orthopaedic surgical procedures ME Miller, ML Davis, CR MacClean, JG Davis, BL Smith and JR Humphries Because of the increased use of fluoroscopic guidance techniques in certain orthopaedic surgical procedures, surgeons and other

operating-room personnel who are involved in these procedures are voicing growing concern over possible associated radiation health hazards. Using thin-layer lithium fluoride chips for thermoluminescence dosimetry, we directly measured the radiation exposure encountered by the primary surgeon during seven operative procedures that were done utilizing fluoroscopic guidance techniques. Dosimetry studies were also carried out using a tissue-equivalent phantom model to determine the directions of maximum scatter radiation. These studies indicated that the standard protective apron that is commonly worn during the use of fluoroscopy provides adequate protection to most of the body; however, the surgeon is exposed to significant levels of scatter radiation to the head, neck, and hands, Dosimetry studies showed that positioning the fluoroscopic beam vertically to the fracture site of the supine patient, with the x-ray source posterior to the patient, provided the lowest levels of scatter radiation to the surgeon in the normal working position.

Rosie B. Gadiaza Group 6 St. Claire Medical Center Reaction Paper: The article is about the effects of fluoroscopic guidelines on personnel during surgical procedures. The article helped me realize the importance of providing safety not just on the client but on also on yourself. As health practitioner, we must also ensure that the safety of patient as well as the persons involve on the operation is secured. The protective devices that the personnel wear during the operation cannot fully guarantee the safety of its user. As the article discussed, the protective devises can only provide certain measures of safety. Therefore, it is a must that we should be careful on every surgical procedure we are involved.

The fluoroscopic guide produces scattered radiations that could harm our body, it can cause harm if we are not knowledgeable on its harmful effect. When Fluoroscopic guide is used in an operation, the personnel involve should have proper working position in order to minimize the risk on having radiation while doing the operation. Following specific measures on the operating room regarding the use of radiating device must be strictly observed.