Hypothermia in the Perioperative Setting

1
Hypothermia in the Peri-operative Setting
Ella Walsh, Josephine Hegarty, Aileen Burton et
al. (2008) Accepted for publication AORN Journal.
2
Aim of Study

• To gain an understanding of perioperative nurses
  knowledge in relation to inadvertent
  perioperative hypothermia

3
Study Methodology

• Quantitative, Descriptive design
• Surveys to assess nurses knowledge of
  inadvertent hypothermia were distributed at the
  conference
• Data was analysed using SPSS 15

4
Duration of perioperative experience
5
Qualifications of Respondents
6
Temperature range participants perceived as
normothermia
7

• Nurses were asked to identify factors which
  prevent nurses from maintaining normothermia in
  the patients that they cared for participants
  cited a number of factors including
• positioning,
• over-exposure,
• no pre-operative warming,
• lack of equipment,
• type of surgery
• lack of experience of staff.

8
Contributing factors to hypothermia development
respondents thoughts
9
Techniques used in the clinical area to ensure
patients do not develop hypothermia

• Warming devices (n92)
• Fluid/blood warmer (n71)
• Controlling environmental temperature (n37)
• Use of Blankets (n36)
• Regular checking of patients temperatures (n24)
  
• Foil hats/leggings/drapes (n19)

10
Monitoring of temperature

• Monitoring of temperature in the clinical area
  (n55)
• Temperature is monitored as required based on the
  assessment of the patient (n57)
• 9 participants answered no to this question

11
Discussion

• The prevention and management of hypothermia in
  the perioperative area centres on
• The correct assessment of each individuals risk
  for hypothermia
• The use of preventative strategies
• The monitoring of patients temperatures
  routinely during the perioperative period
• The employment of appropriate re-warming
  strategies

12
Discussion

• Highly experienced nurses
• Unsure as to correct definition of hypothermia

• Knowledgeable in relation to contributory factors
• Wide variety of techniques used to prevent
  hypothermia

13
Discussion

• NICE clinical guideline for the management of
  inadvertent perioperative hypothermia in adults
• ASPAN clinical guideline for the prevention of
  unplanned perioperative hypothermia

14
Conclusion

• Overall, staff in this survey displayed extensive
  knowledge in the area of hypothermia prevention
  and management
• The evidential lack of uniformity in the
  literature with regard to some definitions and
  preventative measures may have contributed to
  some of the varying responses cited within this
  survey

15
Recommendations

• Clinical guidelines in the prevention and
  management of inadvertent perioperative
  hypothermia need to be readily and adopted for
  use in the perioperative environment
• Nurse Managers should be cognisant of the need to
  organise regular educational sessions for staff
  in the area of hypothermia
• Further research in this area

16
Acknowledgements

• The respondents who took part in this study
• The research team
• Josephine Hegarty PhD, MSc, RNT, BSc, RGN Ella
  Walsh BSc, Dip Nursing, RGN, MSc Aileen Burton
  MSc, BSc, RGN Sheila Murphy RGN, R.M., H.Dip
  Nursing Management Fionuala OGorman MSc. Ed.,
  BSc, E.N.B 176, RGM, RGN Gráinne McPolin HDip
  (Anaesthetic Nursing), BA, RGN, MSc Student
  Eilis Daly HDip Perioperative Nursing, RGN
  Brigid Fitzpatrick-Laffan, HDip (Perioperative
  Nursing), Dip (Health Services Management), RN,
  RM Ann Hogan H.Dip (Perioperative Nursing),RGN,
  MSc Lorraine Murphy PG Dip, MSc Breda Needham
  RGN, HDip Nursing Studies Lorraine ORourke RGN,
  HDip Perioperative Nursing.

17
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