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Risk of Burns During Active External Rewarming for Accidental Hypothermia
Gordon G Giesbrecht1, Beat H Walpoth2
1Laboratory for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
Wilderness & Environmental Medicine
|October 3, 2019
Summary
Active external rewarming of cold patients can cause burns. Following manufacturer instructions, using insulation, and regular skin observation can reduce burn risk during field rewarming of hypothermic individuals.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Burn Research
- Thermoregulation
Background:
- Hypothermia management often involves active external rewarming.
- Rewarming methods carry a risk of iatrogenic thermal injury (burns).
- Understanding burn mechanisms during rewarming is crucial for patient safety.
Observation:
- Three incidents of first- to third-degree burns occurred during therapeutic or experimental warming of cold individuals.
- Burns resulted from direct application of heat sources to the skin.
- Patient positioning on heat sources increased burn risk.
Findings:
- Safe active external rewarming is achievable by adhering to manufacturer instructions for heat sources.
- Using insulation between the heat source and the patient's skin is vital for burn prevention.
- Regular observation of the skin for signs of pending burn injury is mandatory.
Implications:
- Implementing standardized protocols for field rewarming can minimize burn complications in hypothermic patients.
- Caregiver education on safe rewarming techniques is essential for preventing iatrogenic injuries.
- Direct skin inspection is critical, especially for areas in direct contact with heat sources during rewarming.
Keywords:
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