title: Warming of patients during Caesarean section: a telephone survey.
abstract: We contacted the duty obstetric anaesthetist in 219 of the 220 consultant-led maternity units in the UK (99.5%) and asked about departmental and individual practice regarding temperature management during Caesarean section. Warming during elective Caesarean section was routine in 35 units (16%). Intravenous fluid warmers were available in 213 units (97%), forced air warmers were available in 211 (96%) and warming mattresses were available in 42 (19%). Only 18 (8%) departments had specific guidelines for temperature management during Caesarean section. Personal intra-operative practice was variable, although all of those contacted would initiate some form of active temperature management after a mean (SD) volume of blood loss of 1282 (404) ml, length of surgery of 78 (24) min, or core body temperature (if measured) of median (IQR [range]), 36 (35.5-36 [34-37.2]) degrees C.
authors.affiliation: Magill Department of Anaesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain Management, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, 369, Fulham Road, London SW109NH, UK. melwoolnough@doctors.net.uk
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Woolnough
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hemingway
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Allam
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Yentis
mesh_terms: D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006361:Heating / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D018579:Patient Selection; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D006113:United Kingdom