Implementation of continuous temperature monitoring during perioperative care: a feasibility study

BACKGROUND: Continuous body temperature monitoring during perioperative care is enabled by using a non-invasive “zero-heat-flux” (ZHF) device. However, rigorous evaluation of whether continuous monitoring capability improves process of care and patient outcomes is lacking. This study assessed the feasibility of a large-scale trial on the impact of continuous ZHF monitoring on perioperative temperature management practices and hypothermia prevention. METHODS: A feasibility study was conducted at a tertiary hospital. Participants included patients undergoing elective surgery under neuraxial or general anesthesia, and perioperative nurses and anesthetists caring for patient participants. Eighty-two patients pre and post introduction of the ZHF device were enrolled. Feasibility outcomes included recruitment and retention, protocol adherence, missing data or device failure, and staff evaluation of intervention feasibility and acceptability. Process of care outcomes included temperature monitoring practices, warming interventions and perioperative hypothermia. RESULTS: There were no adverse events related to the device and feasibility of recruitment was high (60%). Treatment adherence varied across the perioperative pathway (43 to 93%) and missing data due to electronic transfer issues were identified. Provision of ZHF monitoring had most impact on monitoring practices in the Post Anesthetic Care Unit; the impact on intraoperative monitoring practices was minimal. CONCLUSIONS: Enhancements to the design of the ZHF device, particularly for improved data retention and transfer, would be beneficial prior to a large-scale evaluation of whether continuous temperature monitoring will improve patient outcomes. Implementation research designs are needed for future work to improve the complex area of temperature monitoring during surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Prospective registration prior to patient enrolment was obtained from the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) on 16(th) April 2021 (Registration number: ACTRN12621000438853).