Methods of rewarming the hypothermic patient in the accident and emergency department

Hypothermia, occurring when the core body temperature falls below 35 degrees C, gives rise to life threatening physiological changes, and may present in the Accident and Emergency (A & E) department with varying aetiology and implications for nursing management. Rewarming the hypothermic patient is a priority of nursing care, and several different ways of achieving this are practised. This review of relevant literature aims to evaluate current methods of rewarming hypothermic patients commonly employed, their associated difficulties, and considers their potential implementation in the A & E setting.