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Postoperative Involuntary Hypothermia Patient Experiences: A Qualitative Study in Hip and Knee Replacement Surgeries
Ozlem Sahin Akboğa1, Bilal Akboğa2
1Assistant Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Yozgat Bozok, P.O. Box 66100, Center, Yozgat, Turkey.
Purpose:
Postoperative involuntary hypothermia (IH) is an important complication that occurs when the body temperature drops below normal and can negatively affect the patient's recovery process. IH has a significant impact on patients' experiences, both physiologically and psychologically. To explore patient perceptions and experiences of IH following total hip and knee surgery and its impact on postoperative care.
Design:
This study was conducted using a qualitative content analysis approach on patients who underwent total hip and knee surgery and developed IH in the orthopedic unit of a tertiary hospital in Central Anatolia, Türkiye, between April and August 2025.
Methods:
After obtaining ethical approval and informed consent, a purposive sampling method was used, and data saturation was achieved with a sample size of 15 patients. Data were collected through face-to-face and in-depth interviews 3-4 days after surgery, and the data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key themes.
Findings:
The analysis of the data identified seven main themes ((1) Physical Experiences, (2) Psychological responses, (3) Care Experiences, (4) Information and Awareness, (5) Environment factors, (6) Interventions and Coping Methods, and (7) Expectations and Recommendations) and 27 subthemes.
Conclusions:
The research findings revealed that IH following total hip and knee surgery is multidimensional in terms of physical (chills, shivering, pain, nausea, and insomnia), psychological (anxiety, fear, panic, stress, and relaxation), and care-related experiences (attention, communication, and lack of information). Environmental conditions and the transfer process affected patient comfort, while blankets, warm air devices, pharmacological support, and social support were among the coping methods. Patients suggested room temperature regulation, blanket use, and staff attention. This study revealed the effects of IH on patient experiences following total hip and knee surgery and provided important data to enhance patient safety and comfort in clinical practice. The findings indicate that nurses and healthcare teams should prioritize environmental temperature regulation, patient education, and appropriate intervention methods in their care processes.
