Hypothermia prevention & treatment

Hypothermia Prevention and Treatment 

Hypothermia is a critical state of the body when the temperature is 35 ° C and below.

Causes of Hypothermia

Hypothermia affects people of all ages, from infancy to old age. This category also includes people with injuries and burns. Also, during surgery, hypothermia can occur in the pre-, intra- and postoperative periods. The causes of hypothermia also include the influence of environmental factors (microclimate in the operating room), anesthesia and the introduction of cold infusion solutions.

Negative consequences of Hypothermia

Hypothermia can lead to severe cardiovascular, respiratory, and neuromuscular complications, slow drug metabolism, and increase the incidence of infections.

The negative consequences include:

• Increased blood loss
• Blood viscosity
• Interfere with wound healing

The risk of developing complications associated with hypothermia can be minimized by taking the following measures:

• Ensuring optimal temperature in the operating room and hospital wards
• Use of patient warming systems
• Warming solutions and fluids before / during infusion-transfusion therapy
• Warming of hospital blankets, bed linen, dressings

It is necessary to maintain optimal body temperature during surgical interventions or during the patient's stay in the hospital with the help of special equipment.