Standardizing Warming Measures for Surgical Patients

Purpose The quality improvement project aimed to address the risk of perioperative hypothermia in surgical patients by standardizing warming measures at a Houston, Texas boutique hospitals surgical department. The focus was to achieve normothermia (≥ 96.8°F) within 10 minutes of PACU arrival and increase patient satisfaction by at least 50% through the implementation of a forced air warming system. Background Maintaining normothermia is crucial for surgical patients, as hypothermia can lead to delayed recovery and increased postoperative discomfort. The Houston’s boutique hospital previously solely relied on warm blankets, resulting in inconsistent temperature management. Methodology The Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model guided the quality improvement project. In the planning phase, gaps in existing warming practices were identified, and measurable goals were established. During the implementation phase, staff received comprehensive training on the proper use of the forced air warming system, which was then integrated into the surgical workflow. Data collection involved pre- and post- implementation adult outpatient (n=33) satisfaction surveys and temperature monitoring to evaluate the intervention’s impact. Results Pre-intervention, the average patient satisfaction score was 3.0/5, with only 40% of patients achieving normothermia. Post-intervention results demonstrated significant improvement with an average satisfaction score of 4.7/5 and a 90% normothermia rate. Permanent sustainment occurred at Houston’s boutique hospital surgical department post implementation. Implications Forced air warming systems significantly enhanced patient outcomes by improving temperature regulation and overall satisfaction. These findings support the adoption of standardized warming measures in surgical settings to ensure high-quality care. Maintaining continuous quality monitoring to sustain improvements is to be considered for future efforts.