Agency Overview Presentation, By Heidi Livengood Chalflinch 2/0/16 Who: St. Joseph of the Pines Health and Rehabilitation Center What: Blanket Warming Units Wh As soon as funding is approved Where: Each of the seven units of the facility Goal: To increase resident comfort, increase blood and lymph circulation, increase blood flow to vital organs and extremities. Historically one of the quickest ways to warm an individual or raise their core temperature is to apply external heat. This can be done by support staff or family by applying a warm cotton blanket next to the individual’s body then covering the warm blanket with the outer sheet and top blanket. This layering affect or “cocooning method” assures much warmer results for the individual than just piling on heavy bedspreads on frail, elderly, geriatric residents, Guidelines: Resident's temperature should be taken prior to warm blanket application to establish a baseline and determine if the resident has a fever or underlying illness. Temperatures below 98.0 F or above 99.9F should be reported to the charge nurse. Further data: Variety of blanket warming units on the market, cost to run one warming unit for 1 month, number of blankets each model will hold, price of bath blankets per item. Currently: There are no organized warming “medical” measures being utilized in this facility. Action: To proceed with the above outline, I have consulted with the housekeeping supervisor. director of nursing, and social work supervisor all agree this is a needed item and policy for SIOP.