Prehospital Active and Passive Warming in Trauma Patients

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Trauma Care
• Physiology

Background:

• Hypothermia is a common complication in trauma patients, significantly increasing morbidity and mortality.
• Effective prehospital management is crucial for stabilizing trauma patients and preventing adverse outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of active and passive warming interventions during prehospital care on trauma patient body temperature.
• To identify risk factors associated with negative changes in body temperature in trauma patients during transport.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, multinational observational study involving adult trauma patients transported by emergency medical services.
• Data collected from four emergency medical services programs across Canada, the US, and the Netherlands.
• Analysis of warming measures used, patient temperature changes, and associated risk factors.

Main Results:

• Eleven percent of patients presented with hypothermia; most evaluations occurred within 60 minutes of injury.
• In-line fluid warmers and blankets were the most common active and passive warming methods.
• Ground ambulance transport (OR=3.20) and wet presentation (OR=3.64) were independent risk factors for decreased body temperature.

Conclusions:

• Prehospital active and passive warming measures, particularly removing wet clothing, are associated with improved body temperature in trauma patients.
• Ground ambulance transport and patient wetness upon initial presentation are linked to unfavorable temperature changes.
• Early and effective warming interventions are vital in prehospital trauma care.