PURPOSE

To deepen the understanding of and describe nurse anesthetists' and operating theater nurses' experiences with inadvertent hypothermia in clinical perioperative nursing care.

DESIGN

Qualitative, explorative, and descriptive study that carries an inductive nature.

METHODS

Focus group interviews with 16 nurse anesthetists and operating theater nurses from four hospitals in Norway. Gadamer's hermeneutics has guided the study's interpretation.

FINDINGS

Taking the temperature and measures against inadvertent hypothermia perioperatively are not always systematically implemented. In the data material, three thematic units emerged: routines and habits, the culture of the perioperative unit, and silent suffering.

CONCLUSIONS

Complications caused by inadvertent hypothermia in surgical patients can lead to unnecessary suffering and prolong the hospital stay. The surgical team's cooperation and responsibility are linked to routine nursing interventions. These depend on the nurses' knowledge and experience as well as their clinical and subjective assessment of the patient's physical condition and the surgical techniques used.