Hypothermia control in elderly surgical patients in the intraoperative period: evaluation of two nursing interventions

Authors

  • Cibele Cristina Tramontini Londrina State University; Nursing Department
  • Kazuko Uchikawa Graziano University of São Paulo; School of Nursing

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692007000400016

Keywords:

evaluation of results of therapeutic interventions, body temperature regulation, hypothermia

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of two different nursing interventions regarding control of body heat loss, using blankets during the intraoperative period of elderly patients. METHODS: This was an experimental, comparative, applied, longitudinal prospective study with a quantitative approach. Eighty-one elderly patients undergoing elective surgery with a surgical time frame of at least one hour were selected by systematic probability sampling into two Experimental and one Control Group. Informed consent was obtained from participants. Data was collected by biophysiological measurement, using a tympanic thermometer. RESULTS: After the homogeneity of variables - gender, surgical duration, age, BMR, anesthesia, room humidity and temperature, drugs and liquid infusion- had been demonstrated, the interventions were confronted. Incidence of hypothermia (59.3%) and body heat loss (E1=-0.6ºC , E2=-0.6oC and C=-0.7ºC) were not significantly different between the groups (p=0.85 and p=0.7 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Results show the need for associated extra body warming methods to maintain normothermia.

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Published

2007-08-01

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 4 (2007)

Section

Original Articles

License

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How to Cite

Hypothermia control in elderly surgical patients in the intraoperative period: evaluation of two nursing interventions. (2007). Revista Latino-Americana De Enfermagem, 15(4), 626-631. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692007000400016