Inadvertent Hypothermia in the Perspective of Operating Room Nurses: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study

Abstract

The aim of the study was to reveal the awareness and perceptions of operating room nurses concerning inadvertent hypothermia, as well as their experiences and recommendations for its prevention. The study employed a phenomenological qualitative approach. This study was conducted with 17 nurses working in the operating room of a university hospital in Konya, Turkey. Data were collected face to face between 15 August and 30 September 2022 using the in-depth individual interview method. The data were subjected to inductive content analysis. Written permission was obtained from the hospital, the ethics committee, and the participants to conduct the study. The mean age of the nurses was 28.4 years and the majority were female. The nurses were graduates of a four-year health vocational high school, a two-year nursing associate degree program, or a four-year nursing bachelors' degree program. Their operating room experience ranged from 1 to 22 years. All the nurses were aware of inadvertent hypothermia, and all but one encountered hypothermia and applied preventive measures. The data analysis revealed 263 codes, 12 categories, and 4 themes on the awareness and perceptions of operating room nurses about inadvertent hypothermia and their experiences and recommendations for its prevention. The findings showed that the majority of the participants were aware of inadvertent hypothermia and its risk factors, and frequently encountered inadvertent hypothermia despite implementing preventive measures.