Defense Date

7-17-2022

Graduation Date

Summer 7-31-2025

Submission Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Degree Name

Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice

Department

Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) Program

School

School of Nursing

Faculty Mentor

Michael Neft

Keywords

Normothermia, Hypothermia, Temperature, Surgical Patients, Perioperative, Not achieving normothermia

Abstract

Postoperative hypothermia, defined as a core temperature below 36°C, is a prevalent and underrecognized complication in surgical settings, contributing to increased patient morbidity, prolonged recovery, and higher healthcare costs. This program evaluation project aimed to identify and address factors contributing to intraoperative and postoperative hypothermia by retrospectively analyzing patient records from a local hospital’s EPIC electronic health record system. Guided by the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Program Evaluation Model, the project systematically reviewed perioperative temperature management protocols and warming interventions across diverse surgical specialties. Data extraction and analysis focused on patient demographics, procedural variables, anesthesia types, and the frequency and efficacy of warming interventions, with particular attention to vulnerable populations such as elderly female patients undergoing prolonged procedures. Results revealed inconsistent documentation and application of warming protocols, with notable gaps in intraoperative temperature monitoring and intervention records. The findings informed the development of evidence-based recommendations, including standardized temperature monitoring and targeted staff education, aimed at reducing the incidence of perioperative hypothermia. Implementation of these recommendations is expected to improve patient comfort, reduce complications, and optimize recovery outcomes. This evaluation underscores the importance of standardized perioperative temperature management and provides actionable insights for quality improvement initiatives in surgical care.

Language

English

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