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Thermoregulation In Colorectal Patients: Heating Co2 Insufflation Gas, Alejandro Conde, Alieu Jawara, Laura Savage, James Alberding Dnp, Michael Godbold

Graduate Publications and Other Selected Works - Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

BACKGROUND: 600,000 colorectal surgeries are performed annually in the United States, with 26-90% experiencing some form of unintended hypothermia. Consequences of hypothermia include surgical site infections (SSIs), delayed wound healing, cardiac dysrhythmias, and increased hospital length of stay. Utilization of the laparoscopic approach to intra-abdominal colorectal surgery uses un-warmed CO₂ gas. Multiple studies demonstrate the addition of heated CO₂, for insufflation, reduces intraoperative hypothermia.

LOCAL PROBLEM: This project was implemented at a facility in Tennessee. On average, 250 laparoscopic colorectal cases are performed at this facility annually. Participants were adult colorectal surgical patients, 18 years …