title: Perioperative temperature control: Survey on current practices.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prevention of perioperative hypothermia decreases morbidity and mortality, as well as hospital costs. This study was conducted to evaluate the level of implementation of protocols in 3 tertiary Spanish University Hospitals.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey among anaesthesiologists assessed estimated importance and clinical practice in terms of prevention of perioperative hypothermia. Results were compared depending on their experience. P<.05 was considered significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 116 anaesthesiologists answered the survey, of whom 48 (41.3%) were residents, 32 (27.6%) were staff with less than 10 years of experience, and 36 (31.1%) staff with 10 years or more of experience, In a 0-10 importance scale, prevention of hypothermia was scored 7.49±1,79, with no difference between groups (P=.58). Younger staff were more concerned of the end surgery temperature than other colleagues (P=.02). The most usual practice was a combination warming the intravenous fluids and an electric blanket (55%). Only 20% of the anaesthesiologists monitored temperature intra-operatively, even though 75% considered it an important parameter. No unit had a written protocol for prevention of perioperative hypothermia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the absence of prevention protocols, the anaesthesiologists were aware of the importance maintaining a normal peri-operative temperature, but this awareness is still not enough to influence their perioperative management to diagnose and prevent hypothermia. A harmonisation of practice at local, regional and national level could improve this practice in the future.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Anestesia y Reanimación, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, España. Electronic address: nicolas0brogly@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Brogly
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Anestesia y Reanimación, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alsina
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Anestesia y Reanimación, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: de Celis
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Anestesia y Reanimación, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Huercio
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Anestesia y Reanimación, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dominguez
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Anestesia y Reanimación, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gilsanz
mesh_terms: D001831:Body Temperature; D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000517:prevention & control; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Assessment of professional practice; Calidad asistencial; Evaluación de prácticas profesionales; Hipotermia; Hypothermia; Prevención; Prevention; Quality health care; Safety; Seguridad