A study published in the AORN Journal reveals patients who receive forced-air warming perioperatively had temperatures that reached or were maintained at 36 degrees Celsius or higher within 15 minutes after leaving the OR, reducing the incidence of unplanned hypothermia, according to the study's abstract.
Researchers focused on patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy and compared warming mechanisms and processes to determine which would provide the best patient outcome. Three different trials were conducted. In the first trial, warm blankets were used to provide temperature maintenance during intraoperative and postoperative periods. In the second trial, warmed irrigation fluids were used intraoperatively. In the third trial, force-air warming was used preoperatively, intraoperatively and postoperatively.
Results showed 100 percent of patients who received forced-air warming maintained a temperature of 36 degrees Celsius or higher within 15 minutes of leaving the OR. Researchers concluded the best practice was implementing this method before surgery and carrying it throughout the patient's stay in the PACU.
Read the study "Reducing the Risk of Unplanned Perioperative Hypothermia. (pdf)"
Read other coverage about patient safety:
- 7 Steps Spine Surgeons Should Take to Prevent Infections
- 3 Surprising Places to Find Bacteria
- Study Shows Glove Technology Can Significantly Reduce Microbial Passage After Glove Perforation
Researchers focused on patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy and compared warming mechanisms and processes to determine which would provide the best patient outcome. Three different trials were conducted. In the first trial, warm blankets were used to provide temperature maintenance during intraoperative and postoperative periods. In the second trial, warmed irrigation fluids were used intraoperatively. In the third trial, force-air warming was used preoperatively, intraoperatively and postoperatively.
Results showed 100 percent of patients who received forced-air warming maintained a temperature of 36 degrees Celsius or higher within 15 minutes of leaving the OR. Researchers concluded the best practice was implementing this method before surgery and carrying it throughout the patient's stay in the PACU.
Read the study "Reducing the Risk of Unplanned Perioperative Hypothermia. (pdf)"
Read other coverage about patient safety:
- 7 Steps Spine Surgeons Should Take to Prevent Infections
- 3 Surprising Places to Find Bacteria
- Study Shows Glove Technology Can Significantly Reduce Microbial Passage After Glove Perforation
