Background: Basic standard of care monitors and vital signs include pulse oximetry, heart rate,
respiratory rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. When looking specifically at these vital
signs, temperature encompasses one of the most diverse criteria for the anesthesia provider to
monitor. Methodology: The purpose of this Doctoral Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to
provide education and increased knowledge regarding intraoperative hypothermia prevention and
temperature guideline education in anesthesia providers. Does the utilization of an intraoperative
hypothermia education and a Pre and Post-Test model program, with a specific temperature
guideline, increase knowledge base and awareness in anesthesia providers, as evidenced by a
decreased prevalence for hypothermia in adult patients having general anesthesia? Findings: The
educational intervention was implemented at Elkhart General Hospital (EGH) in Elkhart,
Indiana. A Pre-Test, educational PowerPoint Presentation, Post-Test, and Likert Scale Post
Survey via Microsoft Forms were utilized throughout the implementation. The average Pre-Test
score was 62% (6.2/10 points). The average Post-Test score was 80.7% (8.07/10 points). The
percent change between the Pre-Test score and Post-Test score was an increase of 18.7%.
Implications: Nurse anesthesia providers need education on the prevention of hypothermia and
temperature management guidelines. Future recommendations include updated knowledge and
education related to hypothermia prevention in future practices of care.

Creator

• Sarah E. Brotherson, BSN, RN, DNP-NAP Student

Keyword

• intraoperative hypothermia

• temperature guideline education

• hypothermia

• intraoperative hypothermia prevention

• anesthesia

• anesthesia providers

Date created

• June 23, 2021

Rights statement

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/