Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia
Corso di laurea in infermieristica - Sede di Modena
| Thesis Title | The prevention of postoperative damage from mild hypothermia in the fragile subjects: nursing care for the elderly with hip fracture |
|---|---|
| Name | Morselli Stefania |
| Supervisor(s) | Malagoli Maurizia |
| Academic Year | 2015/16 |
| Thesis type | Research thesis |
Abstract
Unattended or accidental hypothermia is a threat that nowadays is still highly underestimated in perioperative nursing care. In particular, preventing the reduction of temperature of the femur fracture in the fragile elderly can bring relevant socio-economic advantages in the postoperative care. In fact, it is important to notice that even a light hypothermia can cause serious pathological consequences during the postoperative period. The most relevant ones are infection of the surgical site, increasing of haematic losses and cardiac events. The mentioned complications can increase the convalescence’s length as well as costs for both the healthcare companies and the patient. Among the different systems used to keep the patient’s body temperature warm and to prevent hypothermia the most popular and efficient one is the electric blanket. The simultaneous use of other heating systems can improve the electric blanket’s effectiveness. Every nurse operating in the perioperative care of a fractured patient must think of the “hypothermia problem” as an ethic and moral duty. Indeed, it is the nurses’ responsibility to keep up-to-date and to train themselves in order to provide the best possible care to their patients.