Longer times in computed tomography for trauma patients result in a decrease in body temperature
Qi-Zheng Ong1, Annelies Vandewege1, Daniel Y Ellis1
1Trauma Service, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Objective:
To determine if lower ambient temperatures in computed tomography (CT) rooms contribute to accidental hypothermia (≤35°C) in trauma patients.
Methods:
Prospective, observational study of trauma patients undergoing a CT scan at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
Results:
Among a cohort of 81 trauma patients, 54 met level 1 call-out criteria. Mean time in CT was 11 min. Longer time spent in CT contributes to greater decrease in body temperature (∆T/t = -0.1483°C/min, P = 0.0026).
Conclusion:
Increasing time spent in CT leads to a decrease in body temperature in trauma patients. Clinicians should actively reduce time spent in the CT room and take active warming measures.
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