The effect of pre-operative active and passive warming on post-operative hypothermia, vital signs and temperature comfort

The study was carried out to determine the effects of preoperative active and passive warming on postoperative hypothermia, vital signs and perception of warmth comfort in patients who will undergo elective open abdominal surgery (AAC). The sample of the 3-group randomized controlled interventional study conducted between July 2020 and January 2021 consisted of a total of 90 patients, 30 in each group, who underwent open abdominal surgery between these dates, agreed to participate in the study, and met the sampling criteria. In the comparison of the vital signs of the patients, a statistically significant difference was found in terms of preoperative body temperature values (χ2=56,959; p=0.000). Postoperative 0., 15., 30. min. of active warming group and passive warming group. body temperature values were significantly higher than the control group. A statistically significant difference was found in the comparison of the patients' postoperative temperature comfort perception scores (χ2=39.693; p=0.000). The postoperative comfort scores of the active warming group were significantly higher than the passive and control groups. As a result; Heating methods were found to be effective in preventing undesired hypothermia after surgery. It was determined that the time to reach normothermia after surgery was shorter, shivering levels were lower, and temperature comfort perceptions were higher in patients who were preheated. Keywords: Perioperative Process, Hypothermia, Temperature Comfort, Shivering Level, Nurse