An Analysis of the Temperature Change in Warmed Intravenous Fluids During Administration in Cold Environments

Area of Science:

• Medical Simulation
• Thermoregulation
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Maintaining normothermia is critical for trauma patients.
• Cold environments pose a risk of hypothermia.
• Intravenous (IV) fluid temperature can decrease during administration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify temperature decrease in warmed IV fluids during simulated administration in cold environments.
• To identify the primary site of heat loss from IV fluids.
• To assess the impact of ambient temperature on fluid temperature change.

Main Methods:

• A nonhuman simulation study.
• 1-L bags of normal saline warmed to 39°C.
• Administration via IV tubing at a set flow rate in simulated cold environments (0°C, -7°C, -12°C, and 22°C control).
• Temperature recorded at 5-minute intervals from bag to catheter site.

Main Results:

• A statistically significant temperature decrease (P = .003) occurred between the IV bag and administration site.
• The most rapid temperature drop happened within the first 5 minutes.
• Greater temperature loss was observed at colder ambient temperatures, with an average 28.7°C difference at -7°C and -12°C after 30 minutes.

Conclusions:

• Significant heat loss occurs through the IV tubing itself.
• Insulating IV tubing may be beneficial for trauma patients receiving warmed fluids in cold conditions.
• Preventing hypothermia in trauma patients requires attention to IV fluid warming and administration practices.