A Team Approach to the Prevention of Unplanned Postoperative Hypothermia

ABSTRACT
• POSTOPERATIVE HYPOTHERMIA (ie, a core temperature lower than 96.8° F [36° C]), is a problem frequently seen in surgical patients, especially those undergoing total joint replacement.
• PATIENTS WHO EXPERIENCE hypothermia may have increased recovery times and postoperative complications.
• A TEAM OF CLINICAL STAFF MEMBERS and personnel from the performance improvement (PI) department of a hospital used a PI model to incorporate use of preoperative forced-air warming blankets that resulted in improved postoperative core temperatures. AORN J 85 (May 2007) 921-929. © AORN, Inc, 2007.