Prevalence of Postoperative Hypothermia and its Factors in Post Anesthesia Care Unit Among Adults Patients Who Underwent Elective Surgery at Tikur Anbesa Specialized Hospital, 2023/4
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Date
2024-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Post-operative hypothermia is defined as a body temperature of <36°C and may be
classified as mild, moderate, and severe. It is a frequent occurrence that affects more than 70% of
patients undergoing surgery and anesthesia. In the postoperative period, patients might be
hypothermic due to different reasons. It continues to be a significant challenge despite previous
efforts, which may affect patient outcomes and healthcare costs.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of postoperative hypothermia and its
associated factors among adult patients in PACU who underwent elective surgery.
Methods: Institutional-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among adult patients
who underwent elective surgery. Systemic random sampling was used to select patients. Patient
chart review and temperature measurement were utilized for data collection. Analysis was done
by using SPSS 27. Logistic regression was used to identify associated factors and a p-value < 0.05
at 95% confidence intervals was considered as statistical significance.
Result: The finding of the study revealed that 39%(n=145) of patients had at least one record of
hypothermia. Among them, 22.3% of cases at arrival and 9.1% at the 15-minute had a moderate
level, and there were no cases of hypothermia of any severity recorded. Age above 60 years,
medical comorbidity, preoperative hypothermia, spinal anesthesia, spinal with epidural anesthesia,
unwarmed crystalloid fluid administration, blood transfusion, and duration of surgery were
significantly associated with postoperative hypothermia. Sex, ASA, BMI, duration of anesthesia,
type of surgery and amount of crystalloid administered have no association with postoperative
hypothermia
Conclusion and recommendations: The prevalence of postoperative hypothermia was
significant. Proactive warming strategies, including warming intravenous fluids to body
temperature and implementing continuous warming measures for longer surgeries, are crucial.
Close monitoring and adjustment of warming interventions based on surgical complexity and
patient needs are essential to prevent postoperative hypothermia effectively.
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Keywords
Hypothermia, TASH, Postoperative patients, Postoperative complication, PACU, Surgical patients