8 4
O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4
T
he list of negative patient out-
comes associated with unintend-
ed perioperative hypothermia is
surprisingly long: wound infec-
tions, myocardial ischemia and
cardiac disturbance, coagulopathy, prolonged
and altered drug effects, increased mortality,
shivering, pain and thermal discomfort, and
H Y P O T H E R M I A
Theresa Criscitelli, EdD(c), RN, CNOR | Mineola, N.Y.
The Unintended Consequences
Of Unintended
Hypothermia
BAD OUTCOMES
Unintended perioperative
hypothermia is associated
with negative patient out-
comes, including an increased
rate of wound infections,
increased length of hospital
stay and higher mortality rates.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN
Warming's not
just about
patient comfort.
There are very
real threats in
even mild
hypothermia.
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