Barriers and Solutions in Implementing Evidence-Based Recommendations to Prevent Intraoperative Inadvertent Hypothermia: A Qualitative Study

Ther Hypothermia Temp Manag. 2023 Nov 17. doi: 10.1089/ther.2023.0052. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

In this study, it was aimed to understand the barriers and solutions for operating room (OR) nurses and anesthesiologists to implement evidence-based recommendations to prevent intraoperative inadvertent hypothermia (IIH). A qualitative, inductive, and descriptive study was conducted. This qualitative interview study was conducted face-to-face with 19 participants working in OR units between February and March 2023. The interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The COREQ checklist was followed. Two main themes and five sub-themes were identified as a result of content analysis. According to the participants, barriers to IIH prevention interventions are caused by individual and organizational inefficiencies and personal opinions, and the main solution is education. Participants reported many factors that hinder IIH prevention practices. The individual characteristics of OR staff and the opinions and behavior of the institution are very important for IIH prevention.

Keywords: hypothermia; nurses; operating rooms; qualitative analysis.