Preoperativ oppvarming av pasienter med hoftebrudd : Kan preoperativ oppvarming med varmluftsteppe redusere intraoperativt temperaturfall hos pasienter med hoftebrudd som opereres i spinalanestesi? -Et kvalitetssikringsprosjekt

Abstract

Background: Hip fractures are a common cause of hospitalization and are linked with high morbidity and mortality rates. It is therefore important to optimize every aspect of their treatment to minimize complications. The Nurse Anesthetist plays an important role in preventing complications related to both surgery and anesthesia. Purpose: The aim of this project is to evaluate the quality of the current procedure for preoperative prevention of hypothermia in our hospital. We wanted to investigate if this procedure for preventing hypothermia is as effective as preoperative warming with a forcedair system in hip fracture patients who undergo surgery with local anesthetic. Method: The project is conducted as a controlled randomized trial. This trial is still ongoing at our hospital. Currently 32 patients have been included in the trial. 16 patients have been randomly selected to both the intervention and control groups. The intervention group receives active warming with a forced-air warming system. The control group receives passive warming with a duvet and/or a cotton blanket as described in the current procedure. The aim is to include 58 patients, 29 in each group. We have analyzed the preliminary results using comparative and descriptive statistics. Findings: The preliminary analysis shows no statistical difference in body temperature between the intervention group and the control group. No incidence of hypothermia has occurred in the pre- or intraoperative phase. Conclusions: The trial is still ongoing and no final conclusions can be made yet. At this point the current procedure at our hospital seems to be as effective as the forced-air warming system. Keywords: quality assurance, hip fracture, spinal anesthesia, intraoperative hypothermia, preoperative warming, the Nurse Anesthetist’s preventative role