PREVENTION OF PERIOPERATIVE HYPOTHERMIA: A NURSING STRATEGY

Abstract

Introduction: Perioperative hypothermia is a frequent and underestimated complication in patients undergoing surgical procedures since its incidence is from 6% to 90% depending on the type of operation, which, if not controlled effectively, can cause serious physical damage to the patient. Objective: To know the strategies applied by nursing staff to prevent perioperative hypothermia. Methods: This study has a quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional approach. This study was carried out in the facilities of the Latacunga Provincial General Hospital in the period September 2021 to March 2022. The sample is census type corresponding to 70 nursing staff participants. Results: A predominance of the female sex was evident 82.90%, level of training of nursing graduates 72.90%. 40.00% work in the emergency service. In relation to the theoretical knowledge of the value of hypothermia 62.90%, on active warming 38.60%. environmental temperature of an operating room 28.60%, the temperature at which the liquids or blood products must be 58.60%. Conclusions: Nursing professionals at the Latacunga Provincial General Hospital know the definition of hypothermia and the different active and passive warming strategies. But on the negative side, they present a lack of knowledge of the value of the ambient temperature that an operating room should be in and the temperature at which intravenous fluids should be administered in the perioperative period. These professionals always use active and passive warming strategies to prevent perioperative hypothermia.