Effect of a thermal care bundle on the prevention, detection and treatment of perioperative inadvertent hypothermia

Abstract

This study showed that a collaborative, context specific implementation method, such as the IHI Breakthrough Series Model, is effective at improving practices, which can improve thermal care.

Current opinion about surgery-related fear and anxiety

“…There is ample evidence to suggest operative outcomes can be improved through optimising healthy behaviours that enhance nutrition, exercise, sleep and psychological well-being; however, the role of perioperative nurses in these contexts is under-researched and therefore under-developed. With so many perioperative initiatives working towards optimising surgical outcomes [29][30][31][32] , it is time that nurses become enterprising and develop interventions targeting the plethora of unmet needs among people undergoing surgery.…”

Preventing perioperative hypothermia is clinically feasible and cost effective

“…ACORN's vision is for Australian patients to receive the safest and highest quality evidence-based perioperative care in the world. In 2014 a thermal care bundle was developed by a panel of Australian expert clinicians and researchers to improve the prevention, detection and treatment of perioperative hypothermia in adult surgical patients 6,7 . Implementing a thermal care bundle can help rapidly disseminate optimal clinical guidelines for the management of health care-associated illnesses and risks.…”

Implementing a surgical site infection care bundle: Implications for perioperative practice

“…Perioperative nurse educators as well as clinical nurses can reflect on current departmental practices and identify opportunities for improvement which reflect their own expertise and interests 3,26 . They would then research areas of individual interest and, based on the literature and recommendations available, develop interventions and share them with colleagues, peers and key players 27,28 .…”