Prevention of intraoperative hypothermia: a descriptive-exploratory study

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the measures implemented in practice for the prevention of hypothermia during the intraoperative period in public and private hospitals. Method: quantitative, descriptive-exploratory study. The sample consisted of 201 nurses, invited via social media, Facebook, Instagram, and email. Data collection was performed using an online form created on the Survey Monkey^® virtual platform. For analysis, descriptive statistics and association tests were applied to investigate the differences between the defined groups in relation to the study variables. Results: in both types of institutions, most participants were female and married/in a stable relationship. There was a significant difference between the types of hospitals in terms of operating room temperature control (p<0.001), patient body temperature monitoring (p=0.027), and use of active skin warming methods (p=0.009). Conclusion: the forced-air warming was the active method most frequently used, and nursing staff were the professional category most often indicated as responsible for implementing prewarming and using active methods in the types of institutions investigated. There is still a need to increase the daily implementation of measures to prevent hypothermia, pointing out to managers the need for investment and training of human resources.