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Comparison of three different prehospital wrapping methods for preventing hypothermia - a crossover study in humans
- Source :
- Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine, Vol 19, Iss 1, p 41 (2011), Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine
- Publisher :
- Springer Nature
-
Abstract
- Background Accidental hypothermia increases mortality and morbidity in trauma patients. Various methods for insulating and wrapping hypothermic patients are used worldwide. The aim of this study was to compare the thermal insulating effects and comfort of bubble wrap, ambulance blankets / quilts, and Hibler's method, a low-cost method combining a plastic outer layer with an insulating layer. Methods Eight volunteers were dressed in moistened clothing, exposed to a cold and windy environment then wrapped using one of the three different insulation methods in random order on three different days. They were rested quietly on their back for 60 minutes in a cold climatic chamber. Skin temperature, rectal temperature, oxygen consumption were measured, and metabolic heat production was calculated. A questionnaire was used for a subjective evaluation of comfort, thermal sensation, and shivering. Results Skin temperature was significantly higher 15 minutes after wrapping using Hibler's method compared with wrapping with ambulance blankets / quilts or bubble wrap. There were no differences in core temperature between the three insulating methods. The subjects reported more shivering, they felt colder, were more uncomfortable, and had an increased heat production when using bubble wrap compared with the other two methods. Hibler's method was the volunteers preferred method for preventing hypothermia. Bubble wrap was the least effective insulating method, and seemed to require significantly higher heat production to compensate for increased heat loss. Conclusions This study demonstrated that a combination of vapour tight layer and an additional dry insulating layer (Hibler's method) is the most efficient wrapping method to prevent heat loss, as shown by increased skin temperatures, lower metabolic rate and better thermal comfort. This should then be the method of choice when wrapping a wet patient at risk of developing hypothermia in prehospital environments.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Male
Emergency Medical Services
Accidental hypothermia
Medical disciplines: 700::Clinical medical disciplines: 750 [VDP]
Hypothermia
Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine
Body Temperature
Medical disciplines: 700::Health sciences: 800::Health service and health administration research: 806 [VDP]
Reference Values
Humans
Medicine
Original Research
Cross-Over Studies
business.industry
lcsh:Medical emergencies. Critical care. Intensive care. First aid
technology, industry, and agriculture
Bedding and Linens
Thermal comfort
Skin temperature
lcsh:RC86-88.9
equipment and supplies
Crossover study
Treatment Outcome
Anesthesia
biological sciences
Metabolic rate
Metabolic heat production
Shivering
Emergency Medicine
Wounds and Injuries
medicine.symptom
business
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 17577241
- Volume :
- 19
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....4b9fa4ee0d4296e7ab8a575c00c929bf
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/1757-7241-19-41