Development of a Care Model for Prevention of Hypothermia in Patients Undergoing General Anesthesia Using the "3-Color 3P Warm Care Model" Innovation, Phayakkhaphum Phisai Hospital, Maha Sarakham Province.

Abstract

      This Research and Development (R&D) study aimed to develop a care model for preventing hypothermia in surgical patients receiving general anesthesia at Phayakkhaphum Phisai Hospital, Maha Sarakham Province. It also evaluated the outcomes of implementing the innovative "3 Colors, 3P Warm Care Model" and assessed staff satisfaction. The purposively selected sample consisted of a multidisciplinary care team of 26 medical staff (including anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, ward nurses, and operating room nurses), along with 50 pre-implementation and 50 post-implementation surgical patients who received general anesthesia. The research instruments included: 1) a staff knowledge test on hypothermia prevention, 2) a patient risk assessment and classification form, 3) the 3 Colors, 3P Warm Care Model innovation, 4) warming devices, 5) a compliance assessment form for the innovative model, and 6) a staff satisfaction questionnaire (evaluated using mean scores). These instruments were validated for content validity by three experts. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Chi-square test, Paired t-test, and Independent t-test.

      The results revealed a decreased incidence rate of hypothermia and shivering among surgical patients receiving general anesthesia. Staff knowledge scores regarding hypothermia prevention increased significantly (t(25) = 14.36, p < .001). Regarding compliance, the care team's adherence to the 3 Colors, 3P Warm Care Model was overall at the highest level (Mean = 4.66). Categorized by phase, the preoperative phase had the highest compliance (Mean = 4.74), followed by the intraoperative phase (Mean = 4.68), and the postoperative phase (Mean = 4.58), respectively. Considering individual items, the highest compliance was observed in the handover of risk level information using color codes to the operating room team, which was at the highest level (Mean = 4.88). Overall staff satisfaction with the innovation was at the highest level (Mean = 4.90), with teamwork and outcomes receiving the highest mean score (Mean = 4.93). Personnel reported the highest level of satisfaction and increased confidence in preventing patient hypothermia.