Body temperature of trauma patients on admission to hospital: a comparison of anaesthetised and non-anaesthetised patients.
BACKGROUND
Hypothermia at hospital admission has been found to independently predict increased mortality in trauma patients. Objectives To establish if patients anaesthetised in the prehospital phase of care had a higher rate of hypothermia than non-anaesthetised patients on admission to hospital.


METHODS
Retrospective review of admission body temperature in 1292 consecutive prehospital trauma patients attended by a physician-led prehospital trauma service admitted to The Royal London Hospital between 1 July 2005 and 31 December 2008.


RESULTS
38% had a temperature recorded on admission. There was a significant difference in body temperature between the anaesthetised group (N=207) and the non-anaesthetised group (N=287): mean (SD) 35.0 (2.1) vs 36.2 (1.0)°C, respectively (p<0.001). No significant seasonal body temperature variation was demonstrated.


CONCLUSIONS
This study confirmed that patients anaesthetised in the prehospital phase of care had a significantly lower admission body temperature. This has led to a change in the author's prehospital practice. Anaesthetised patients are now actively surface heated and have whole body insulation to prevent further heat loss in an attempt to conserve body temperature and improve outcome. This is an example of best in-hospital anaesthetic practice being carried out in the prehospital phase.
London's Air Ambulance, Royal London Hospital, London E1 1BB, UK. audun.langhelle@vestreviken.no
Audun
A
Langhelle
David
D
Lockey
Tim
T
Harris
Gareth
G
Davies
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects*; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015994:Incidence; D008131:London / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012621:Seasons; D014193:Trauma Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult