Collaborative Development of a Perioperative Thermal Care Bundle Using the Guideline Implementability Appraisal Tool

Area of Science:

• Medical Informatics
• Patient Safety
• Evidence-Based Practice

Background:

• Perioperative hypothermia elevates risks of surgical site infections, cardiac events, and bleeding.
• Clinical practice often lacks adherence to established hypothermia prevention guidelines.
• Knowledge tools can bridge the gap between guidelines and clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To collaboratively develop a knowledge tool—a perioperative thermal care bundle.
• To enhance the implementation of evidence-based perioperative thermal care.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a collaborative, iterative design approach.
• A multidisciplinary expert panel employed the GuideLine Implementability Appraisal tool.
• Recommendations were prioritized and selected for the care bundle through consensus.

Main Results:

• The expert panel identified three core elements for the care bundle.
• Key elements include: assessing hypothermia risk, frequent temperature monitoring, and active intraoperative warming.
• These elements address high-risk patients and intraoperative hypothermia.

Conclusions:

• The GuideLine Implementability Appraisal tool facilitated expert clinician development of a care bundle.
• The developed care bundle is a practical tool for managing perioperative thermal care.
• This approach supports improved patient outcomes through evidence-based interventions.