Prevention of Perioperative Hypothermia - Guidelines for Daily Clinical Practice

Abstract

Inadvertent perioperative hypothermia (body core temperature < 36 °C) is a serious complication leading to increased rates of wound infection, higher blood loss associated with increased transfusion requirements as well as patient dissatisfaction among others. Body core temperature is a vital parameter and needs constant monitoring just like heart rate, blood pressure and arterial oxygen saturation. Patient-, anesthesia-, surgery- and environment-related risk factors were identified for occurring perioperative hypothermia.The avoidance of perioperative hypothermia requires a multidisciplinary approach for both medical and assistant staff. A bundle of procedures has to be arranged in order to improve patient outcome. Steps include general (e.g. staff instruction), pre- (e.g. prewarming), intra- (e.g. active warming) and postoperative (e.g. drug therapy) actions. An effective concept for prevention of perioperative hypothermia has to be adjusted to departments' specific constructional, organizational, process-related and staff characteristics with clearly visible and assigned responsibilities.