title: Value of extended warming in patients undergoing elective surgery.
abstract: Perioperative temperature management is imperative for positive surgical outcomes. This study assessed the clinical and wellbeing benefits of extending normothermia by using a portable warming gown. A total of 94 patients undergoing elective surgery were enrolled. They were randomized pre-operatively to either a portable warming gown or the standard warming procedure. The warming gown stayed with patients from pre-op to operating room to postrecovery room discharge. Core temperature was tracked throughout the study. Patients also provided responses to a satisfaction and comfort status survey. The change in average core temperature did not differ significantly between groups (P = 0.23). A nonsignificant 48% relative decrease in hypothermic events was observed for the extended warming group (P = 0.12). Patients receiving the warming gown were more likely to report always having their temperature controlled (P = 0.04) and significantly less likely to request additional blankets for comfort (P = 0.006). Clinical outcomes and satisfaction were improved for patients with extended warming.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Grand Blanc, Michigan and Department of Clinical Research, Grand Blanc, Michigan.
authors.forename: Tarik J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Wasfie
authors.forename: Kimberly R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Barber
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001831:Body Temperature; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D017721:Hospital Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011481:Protective Clothing / Q000191:economics; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Hypothermia; Patient warming unit; Perioperative warming; Warming gown