Inadvertnt Perioperative Hypothermia

The problem to be addressed is that of Inadvertent Perioperative Hypothermia. Alteration of the hypothalamic body temperature regulation can be caused by length of surgery, exposure of body to ambient room temperature, loss of blood and fluid and the effects of anesthesia. Inadvertent perioperative hypothermia may cause various physiological effects postoperatively. It is an alteration in temperature that is frequently caused with general anesthesia. Hypothermia, defined as a core body temperature of < 36-degree C (< 96.8-degree F), is associated with numerous adverse outcomes that range from thermal discomfort to increased morbidity and mortality (Wagner, 2010). These adverse outcomes can be decreased or prevented if effective assessment