Effects of a warming strategy on the temperature of patients waiting for surgery

BACKGROUND: Patient hypothermia is a critical nursing problem in the preoperative room. Applying an appropriate temperature control strategy prior to surgery helps patients maintain body temperature and physical comfort. PURPOSE: This project assessed the temperature effects of a coat warming strategy on preoperative patients. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study invited 60 participants who were divided into two groups, namely an experimental group (n = 30) that used a coat temperature control strategy and a control group (n = 30) that used a routine strategy. We analyzed changes in patient-perceived temperature, auricular temperature, skin color at the distal end of extremities, and Dali lithosporic at the upper arm. Measurements were taken once at pretest and at 5 and 10 minutes after intervention. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, experimental group patients reported feeling significantly less cold (p < .001, 5 minutes after intervention; p = .001) and had lower Dali lithosporic (p < .001, 5 minutes after intervention), higher auricular temperature (p = .026, 5 minutes after intervention) and pinker skin color at the distal end of their extremities (p = .016, 5 minutes after intervention). CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This evidence-based result offers nurses a suggested strategy for effective control of patient temperature.