A Team Approach to the Prevention of Unplanned Postoperative Hypothermia

Abstract

Postoperative hypothermia (ie, a core temperature lower than 96.8 degrees F [36 degrees C]), is a problem frequently seen in surgical patients, especially those undergoing total joint replacement. Patients who experience hypothermia may have increased recovery times and postoperative complications. A team of clinical staff members and personnel from the performance improvement (PI) department of a hospital used a PI model to incorporate use of preoperative forced-air warming blankets that resulted in improved postoperative core temperatures.

Hipotermia Acidental: Implicações para os cuidados de enfermagem no transoperatório

“…A idade é um fator de risco para o desenvolvimento de hipotermia, sendo a idade superior a 60 anos fator preditivo para a hipotermia durante a cirurgia.. Esses pacientes, necessitam de maiores cuidados no pós-operatório 11 , devido a uma resposta termorreguladora diminuída, quando comparados a pacientes de a outras faixas etárias, em decorrência da alteração na resposta vasoconstrictora concebida com a idade 12 .…”

Unintentional Hypothermia: Implications for Perianesthesia Nurses

“…Therefore, keeping patients warm before entering the OR emphasizes the need for initial nursing intervention aimed at maintaining normothermia. 9,11,22,23 Blankets and forced-air warming devices provide a means to maintain preoperative normothermia, thereby possibly reducing the incidence of perioperative hypothermia. 6 Further, prewarming patients before entering the OR offers anxiolytic effects and facilitates the placement of intravenous catheters.…”

Impact of warming blood transfusion and infusion toward cerebral oxygen metabolism and cognitive recovery in the perioperative period of elderly knee replacement

“…[15,16]. Low temperature would also inhibit the vasoconstriction and the immune system, increasing perioperative incidence of wound infections.…”