Determination of Hypothermia Prevalence and Nursing Interventions for Prevention in Patients during Surgery Process

INTRODUCTION: Background: In the study, was aimed to determine the prevalence of hypothermia in patients during the surgical process and nursing interventions for its prevention.

METHODS: Methods: The sample of this descriptive study consisted of 242 patients in the general surgery clinic and operating room recovery unit of a university hospital between May and August 2018. The data were collected using the data collection form prepared by the researchers and the observation form containing guideline recommendations for the prevention of hypothermia. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation) were used for data analysis.
RESULTS: Results: In the study, hypothermia was seen in 2.5% of the patients in the preoperative period, in 97.1% in the recovery unit after surgery and in 74% in the first measurement when they came to the clinic. The majority of patients in the recovery unit and all patients in the clinic was used passive heating.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Conclusion: This study demonstrated that postoperative hypothermia is a common problem in patients, passive warming methods are frequently used to prevent it, and not all guideline recommendations for preventing hypothermia are implemented. In order to prevent hypothermia in patients during the surgical process, it may be recommended to inform nurses about the guidelines for the prevention of hypothermia with in-service trainings and to prepare protocols in compliance with the guideline recommendations.