Accidental hypothermia and related factors among burned patients

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Early diagnosis, control and management of hypothermia are decisive in the outcome of burns. Various factors play a role in creating or aggravating accidental hypothermia in these patients. This study was conducted with the aim of determining accidental hypothermia prevalence and related factors among burned patients referred to Shahid Motahhari Hospital in Tehran, Iran in 2021. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this prospective observational study, 151 burn patients who were transferred to the emergency department by EMS were selected through available sampling from February 2021 to August 2021. Data was collected and recorded in three areas (pre-hospital, emergency ward, and burn center) through observation and interview of patients and their relations and review of records from admission to discharge. The ambient temperature and core body temperature (CBT) of the patients was measured by a calibrated tympanic thermometer at the time of arrival. Individual, clinical, environmental, and care variables were investigated as factors related to hypothermia. The research data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as Pearson correlation, chi-score, and multiple linear regression by SPSS software version 22. A significance level of less than 0.05 was considered. RESULTS: Forty-seven percent of patients had a CBT of less than 36 degrees Celsius at arrival. Through multiple linear regression, 15 independent variables were entered with the backward model. Only the kind of airway management ( β = –0.296, p < 0.001), and volume of fluids received ( β = 0.144, p = 0.082) were as predicting factors for accidental hypothermia in burn patients. CONCLUSIONS: About half of the patients were hypothermic at the time of admission. Optimizing care in pre-hospital and burn departments and empowering the healthcare team in the assessment of burn patients, and early detection, prevention, and proper management of accidental hypothermia are highly expected.