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Nurses' knowledge of inadvertent hypothermia

  • Josephine Hegarty
  • , Ella Walsh
  • , Aileen Burton
  • , Sheila Murphy
  • , Fionuala O'Gorman
  • , Gréinne McPolin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)33-42
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Advanced Perioperative Care
Volume4
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2009

Keywords

  • Hypothermia
  • Inadvertent
  • Normothermia
  • Practice guidelines

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