DNP Project: Perioperative Temperature Monitoring

Abstract

Inadvertent perioperative hypothermia is defined as a core body temperature less than 36 oC and has many documented adverse outcomes such as postoperative infections, increased perioperative blood loss, increased extubation times, and increased morbidity and mortality. Under anesthesia, patients are at increased risk for hypothermia and associated complications, making intraoperative temperature monitoring a crucial standard defined by both anesthesiologist and CRNA national organizations. The aim of this quality improvement project was to assess anesthesia providers’ perceptions of the effectiveness of their current practice for intraoperative temperature monitoring and the effectiveness of a newly developed intraoperative temperature monitoring educational tool through surveys administered prior to and after a period of utilization of the tool. Major findings revealed a high confidence level among participants regarding knowledge of intraoperative heat loss, populations and procedures at increased risk of heat loss, and ability to identify core temperature sites. Major variability was found in preferred temperature modality or site that may be attributed to lack of equipment, convenience, and accessibility to patient during procedure. Overall, understanding of temperature loss during the perioperative period as well as knowledge of national standards was high among participants. Variance in practice provides opportunities for future projects addressing variance and effectiveness of perioperative temperature monitoring practices.