Preventative measures taken against hypothermia in selected Durban hospitals’ emergency centres and operating theatres

INTRODUCTION: Hypothermia is common in emergency general surgical patients. It is known to be associated with major complications in multiple organ systems. It is also easily preventable with the use of safe and cost-effective equipment. However, by observation, it appears that this equipment is used too infrequently thus resulting in unnecessary harm to patients. METHODS: This descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in two arms to evaluate both emergency centres and operating theatres in the major state hospitals in Durban. It was conducted as an audit as well as a questionnaire-based study, to ascertain the availability of equipment used to prevent hypothermia and also how appropriately the equipment was being used. RESULTS: There was good availability of equipment in both the operating theatres and the emergency centres. However it was being used very poorly, particularly in emergency centres (41% of responses deemed not beneficial to patients versus 29% from operating theatres; 39% of answers beneficial versus 54% from operating theatres). Institutions with hypothermia-prevention protocols scored significantly better than those without a protocol (59% versus 25% beneficial; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: In the field of hypothermia prevention, there was sufficient equipment to result in optimal patient care. However there appears to be a lack of knowledge amongst health care providers, resulting in suboptimal use of this equipment. Protocolised management may provide a solution to this problem and improve patient outcomes.