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Body temperature in elderly surgical patients
H E White1, N E Thurston, K A Blackmore
1Foothills Provincial General Hospital, Calgary, Alberta.
Research in Nursing & Health
|October 1, 1987
Summary
Elderly patients with hip fractures are at risk for hypothermia. Extra body coverings significantly reduced hypothermia during surgery and recovery, highlighting the need for careful temperature monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Surgical Nursing
- Thermoregulation
Background:
- Elderly patients with fractured hips are susceptible to perioperative hypothermia.
- Maintaining normothermia is crucial for surgical outcomes in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence of hypothermia in elderly surgical patients with hip fractures.
- To compare the effectiveness of standard versus extra body coverings on perioperative body temperatures.
- To explore the influence of preoperative anxiolytics on body temperature.
Main Methods:
- Body temperatures of 37 elderly patients with hip fractures were measured using tympanic membrane probes.
- Patients were divided into groups based on standard or extra body coverings.
- Temperature data were collected intraoperatively and in the recovery room.
Main Results:
- Eight of 16 patients with standard body coverings became hypothermic, compared to one of 16 patients with extra coverings.
- Significant differences in body temperature were observed between groups intraoperatively (p < .001) and in the recovery room (p < .002).
- Preoperative anxiolytic use showed a significant negative correlation with body temperature.
Conclusions:
- Extra body coverings are effective in preventing hypothermia in elderly hip fracture patients.
- Close perioperative temperature monitoring and the use of additional coverings are recommended for this patient group.
- Anxiolytics may contribute to reduced body temperature.