AORN Journal
Volume 89, Issue 4 , Pages 701-713, April 2009

Nurses' Knowledge of Inadvertent Hypothermia

  • Josephine Hegarty, PhD, MSc, RNT, BSc, RGN

      Affiliations

    • Josephine Hegarty, PhD, MSc, RNT, BSc, RGN, is an associate professor at the Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, Brookfield Health Sciences Complex, University College Cork, Ireland.
    • ,
  • Ella Walsh, MSc, BSc, Dip Nursing, RGN

      Affiliations

    • Ella Walsh, MSc, BSc, Dip Nursing, RGN, is a lecturer at Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, Brookfield Health Sciences Complex, University College Cork, Ireland.
    • ,
  • Aileen Burton, MSc, BSc, RGN

      Affiliations

    • Aileen Burton, MSc, BSc, RGN, is a lecturer at Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, Brookfield Health Sciences Complex, University College Cork, Ireland.
    • ,
  • Sheila Murphy, RGN, RM, HDip Nursing Management

      Affiliations

    • Sheila Murphy, RGN, RM, HDip Nursing Management, is a clinical nurse manager, theatre recovery, at Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland.
    • ,
  • Fionuala O'Gorman, MSc Ed, BSc, ENB 176, RGM, RGN

      Affiliations

    • Fionuala O'Gorman, MSc Ed, BSc, ENB 176, RGM, RGN, is a perioperative programme facilitator, Cork University Hospital, and immediate past president of the Irish Anaesthetic and Recovery Nurses Association, Wilton, Cork, Ireland.
    • ,
  • Gráinne McPolin, HDip Anaesthetic Nursing, BA, RGN

      Affiliations

    • Gráinne McPolin, HDip Anaesthetic Nursing, BA, RGN, Clinical Facilitator, Major Theatres, Galway University Hospital, Galway, Ireland.

ABSTRACT 

Inadvertent hypothermia can have significant consequences in the perioperative setting. Knowing how to recognize and manage inadvertent hypothermia is an important aspect of perioperative nursing.

A quantitative, descriptive study was conducted at an annual perioperative nursing conference to evaluate nurses' knowledge regarding the prevention of inadvertent perioperative hypothermia.

Significant variations in responses regarding definitions of hypothermia and normothermia were noted. In addition, nurses identified a plethora of factors that prevent them from maintaining normothermia in their patients. These factors mandate a need for educational interventions and the adoption of practice guidelines in the clinical area. AORN J 89 (April 2009) 701–713. © AORN, Inc, 2009.

Key words:  inadvertent hypothermia , normothermia , practice guidelines

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PII: S0001-2092(08)00590-5

doi:10.1016/j.aorn.2008.09.003

AORN Journal
Volume 89, Issue 4 , Pages 701-713, April 2009

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