[2026-01-26] Effectiveness of a Hypothermia Prevention Guideline in Adult Patients Undergoing General Anesthesia at Srinagarind Hospital

Wilawan Somdee; Thepakorn Sathitkarnmanee; Monsicha Somjit; Narin Plailaharn; Viriya Thincheelong; Chongsuk Klaichanad; Chanoksuda Rattanaprasob; Kanya Panichakul

doi:10.33165/rmj.2026.e274363

Authors

Wilawan Somdee Division of Nurse Anesthetist, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Thepakorn Sathitkarnmanee Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8401-1510
Monsicha Somjit Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Narin Plailaharn Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3514-9647
Viriya Thincheelong Division of Nurse Anesthetist, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Chongsuk Klaichanad Division of Nurse Anesthetist, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Chanoksuda Rattanaprasob Division of Nurse Anesthetist, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Kanya Panichakul Division of Nurse Anesthetist, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33165/rmj.2026.e274363

Keywords:

Hypothermia, Perioperative, Clinical practice guideline, Forced-air warming, Satisfaction

Abstract

Background: Perioperative hypothermia (POH), associated with various complications, has a reported incidence ranging from 30% to 70%. A previous incidence of 31% at Srinagarind Hospital prompted the development and implementation of a copyrighted clinical practice guideline (CPG) for the prevention and management of hypothermia in adults.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness and user satisfaction of this CPG.

Methods: This retrospective descriptive study included adult patients undergoing general anesthesia, with or without regional anesthesia, at Srinagarind Hospital between 1 January 2023, and 30 April 2023. POH was defined as a core temperature below 36 °C. Following induction, all patients received forced-air warming using either upper-body warming (UBW) or lower-body warming (LBW) blankets, depending on the surgical procedure and patient position. Body temperature was recorded every 15 minutes for up to 120 minutes. Postoperative satisfaction with the CPG was assessed among patients and anesthesia nurses.

Results: A total of 356 patients, predominantly male with the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classifications I-II, were enrolled. Sixty-seven patients (18.8%) developed POH. Patients receiving LBW tended to experience POH more frequently than those receiving UBW, although the difference was not statistically significant (P = .444). No patient's temperature fell below 35.5 °C. High satisfaction with CPG implementation was reported by both patients (99.4%) and anesthesia nurses (100%).

Conclusions: Implementation of a CPG emphasizing forced-air warming effectively reduced the incidence of POH in adult patients. The CPG demonstrated high satisfaction among both patients and anesthesia nursing staff.

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