Promotion of Perioperative Normothermia in Patients Undergoing General Anesthesia

Inadvertent perioperative hypothermia is a common but preventable condition experienced during the perioperative continuum. This phenomenon can be experienced by surgical patients during any phase of the perioperative continuum. The promotion of perioperative normothermia is essential to the prevention of adverse complications related to inadvertent perioperative hypothermia including cardiac events, hematological changes and alterations in the recovery process. An evidence-based quality improvement initiative for the promotion of perioperative normothermia has been recommended.