Heated blankets for hypothermic/trauma patients

As you know, managing hypothermia is essential in treating multi-system trauma. Approximately two-thirds of trauma patients present with a temperature below 36°C, a condition worsened when we remove their clothing for thorough assessments and administer cold fluids, among other treatments.

Hypothermia significantly affects patients’ morbidity and mortality, so it's crucial that we take an aggressive approach to its management. This is equally true for patients with non-trauma-related hypothermia.

Treatment of hypothermia in trauma patients or hypothermic patients in prehospital settings can be effectively achieved using simple passive external rewarming methods, such as applying blankets, moving the patient from cold environments, and increasing the temperature in the patient compartment of the ambulance. One of the simplest interventions we can provide for these patients is to keep them warm with blankets and raise the temperature in the ambulance’s patient compartment. If the transport isn’t warm enough for you, it certainly isn’t warm enough for them!

The service operator is responsible for the equipment, so the RPPEO does not have a position on this matter. We recommend reaching out to your service if you believe there is a piece of equipment that could enhance patient care.

Hypothermic patients require careful handling. If you'd like to learn more, we encourage you to (re)visit:

• MedicASK question 765: Hypothermia Cardiac Arrest (rppeo.ca)
• Hybrid trauma day trauma skill videos (module 2) on burrito wrap
• Available on MedicLEARN under 2024 Elective CME
• Critical Levels Podcast Episode 36: Wilderness Medicine & Hypothermia
• Available on MedicLEARN under 2024 Elective CME
• Emergency Medicine Ottawa Grand Rounds: Hypothermia
• Available on MedicLEARN under 2024 Elective CME
• 2022 Spring Online CME: Hypothermia module