Effect of the ASPAN Guideline on Perioperative Hypothermia Among Patients With Upper Extremity Surgery Under General Anesthesia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of using the evidence-based hypothermia guideline developed by the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses on body temperature, shivering, thermal discomfort and comfort, and incidence of hypothermia.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial with 54 patients undergoing upper arm surgery with general anesthesia in the Republic of Korea.

METHODS

Participants in the experimental group received a head turban, sleeping socks, a heated blanket, a Bair Hugger for forced-air warming, and a Mega Acer kit (ACE Medical Co, Seoul, Korea) for warming intravenous fluid. Participants in the control group received a typical hospital cotton blanket.

FINDINGS: Body temperature, shivering, thermal discomfort, and thermal comfort showed significant improvements in the experimental group compared with the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

The American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses guideline is applicable for preventing hypothermia under general anesthesia, which, in turn, aids in patient recovery through the suppression of various hypothermia-related complications.