The role of the nurse in the prevention of perioperative hypothermia

Introduction:
Unintentional perioperative hypothermia is a common perioperative complication. The aim of the study was to evaluate the occurrence of perioperative hypothermia and the effectiveness of applied prevention of hypothermia in patients undergoing surgery.

Material and methods:
The study group consisted of 200 patients treated surgically. The sample selection was random. The study involved a review of medical records of patients consecutively undergoing surgery; hence, the inclusion criterion for the study was the availability of complete medical records.

Results:
The average temperature before and after the procedure was 36.6ºC. The average difference in body temperature during the procedure in the examined group was 0.02ºC. Perioperative hypothermia determined by a temperature below 36ºC occurred in 9% of patients. Hypothermia occurred in as much as 13.6% of non-oncological patients and only in 3.3% of oncological patients (p > 0.011). Urinary tract infection was significantly more common in patients with hypothermia (p = 0.004). Close statistical significance was observed between the admission mode and the mode of surgery, the duration of the procedure and blood transfusion, and the body temperature during the procedure (0.05 > p < 0.1).

Conclusions:
The study confirmed the effectiveness of active heating of patients during surgery. The occurrence of intraoperative hypothermia increases the risk of urinary tract infection. Non-oncological patients were more likely to experience hypothermia. Shorter surgery of less than 120 minutes’ duration reduces the risk of hypothermia in patients. Patients admitted and operated as a matter of urgency had a higher temperature during surgery. Higher temperature during surgery correlated with blood transfusions and the occurrence of postoperative complications.