Perioperative hypothermia is associated with poorer patient outcomes – including increased risks of surgical site infection, cardiac complications and bleeding, as well as an associated increase in treatment costs, prolonged hospitalisation and mortality. The issue was an important topic of discussion at EBME Expo.
Despite NICE guidance and a large body of evidence highlighting the importance of patient warming, 90% of surgical patients still experience unintended perioperative hypothermia.1,2 At this year’s EBME Expo, Solventum highlighted some of the key approaches that can help to reduce the risk of inadvertent hypothermia, as well as highlighting the need for education and improved awareness among healthcare professionals.
Solventum points out that although core temperature is a vital sign, it is frequently thought of as being less important than other vitals monitored during anaesthesia. Core temperature should be continuously monitored so that it can be effectively managed, keeping patients within the normothermic temperature zone. Core body temperature is a critical vital sign that should be monitored throughout the perioperative journey. Proactively monitoring temperature with a consistent, accurate and non-invasive system can help maintain normothermia (36.0°C - 37.5°C) and protect patients from unintended perioperative hypothermia.
The company has designed a wide range of solutions to tackle the problem of perioperative hypothermia - including the Bair Hugger Temperature Monitoring System, Bair Hugger Warming System, and Ranger Blood/Fluid and Irrigation Fluid Warming Systems. Coupled with effective temperature monitoring, these technologies can help to maintain normothermia, create positive patient experiences and improve surgical outcomes.
In this interview, Danny speaks to CSJ’s editor about: the key patient warming challenges, the importance of education, and the solutions that can help reduce the risks associated with perioperative hypothermia.
References
- Forstot RM. The etiology and management of inadvertent perioperative hypothermia. J Clin Anesth. 1995;7:657-674.
- Leslie K, Sessler DI. Perioperative hypothermia in the high-risk surgical patient. Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol. 2003;17:485-498.
