Effects of Warming Therapy on Pressure Ulcers—a Randomized Trial

Postoperative pressure ulcers are a common and expensive problem. Intraoperative hypothermia also is a common problem and may have a connection with impaired tissue viability. Researchers in this study hypothesized that intraoperative control of hypothermia may reduce the incidence of postoperative...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:AORN journal 2001-05, Vol.73 (5), p.921,926,929,936-924,927,933,938
Main Authors: Scott, Eileen M., Leaper, David J., Clark, Michael, Kelly, Peter J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Air
Bedding and Linens
Bedsores
Body Temperature
Care and treatment
Clinical trials
England - epidemiology
Female
Hot Temperature - therapeutic use
Humans
Hypothermia
Hypothermia - prevention & control
Infusions, Intravenous
Intraoperative Care - methods
Male
Medical procedures
Methods
Middle Aged
Nursing
Patients
Perioperative Nursing - methods
Postoperative Complications - prevention & control
Pressure Ulcer - epidemiology
Pressure Ulcer - etiology
Pressure Ulcer - prevention & control
Pressure ulcers
Prospective Studies
Risk Factors
Surgery
Surgical nursing
Surgical Procedures, Operative - adverse effects
Surgical Procedures, Operative - nursing
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Summary:Postoperative pressure ulcers are a common and expensive problem. Intraoperative hypothermia also is a common problem and may have a connection with impaired tissue viability. Researchers in this study hypothesized that intraoperative control of hypothermia may reduce the incidence of postoperative pressure ulcers. A randomized clinical trial (n = 338) was used to test the effects of using forced air warming therapy versus standard care. Results indicated an absolute risk reduction in pressure ulcers of 4.8% (ie, 10.4% to 5.6%) with a relative risk reduction of 46% in patients who received warming therapy. Although not reaching statistical significance, the clinical significance of almost halving the pressure ulcer rate is important. A correlation between body temperature and postoperative pressure ulcers was established. AORN J 73 (May 2001) 921–938.
ISSN:0001-2092
1878-0369
DOI:10.1016/S0001-2092(06)61744-4