Patients with major burn injuries are prone to hypothermia, potentially resulting in an increase in mortality and length of hospital stay. Burn patients exhibit profound hypermetabolism and lose the ability to thermoregulate, rendering them susceptible to hypothermia. This in turn leads to burns patients being prone to increased morbidity and suffering from rising mortality rates, if an appropriate temperature range cannot be achieved.
It is generally accepted that effective temperature control is imperative to achieve good outcomes in major burns patients. Maintenance of an appropriate core temperature in these patients is, however, challenging.
A retrospective study: ‘Temperature management of adult burn patients in intensive care’ was carried out, over a three-year period, using routinely collected patient data from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the West Midlands Burn Centre. Data was analysed to assess temperature control against local and International Society for Burn Injury (ISBI) standards. Thirty-one patients with significant burn injuries, requiring active critical care treatment for more than 48 hours, were included in the study. Hypothermia, defined as core temperature below 36.0°C was recorded for 251 hours – 2% of total stay. Only 27 patients had their temperature ≥ 36.0°C for more than 95% of their admission. Non-survivors were more prone to hypothermia during their ICU stay.
The study found there was an association between rBaux score and post-operative temperature, with a 0.12°C decrease per 10 points increase in rBaux score (P=0.04). The study concluded there was a high variability of temperature control between individual patients, especially in non-survivors, and demonstrated an association between a high rBaux score and poor temperature control, specifically during the post-operative period. Full details of the study can be found at: https://doi.org/10.5114/ait.2022.119131
In certain situations, and for some conditions – such as burn injuries – patients need support to maintain their body temperature. The Weyer Ceramotherm® 3000 radiant warmer, available from Central Medical Supplies, can be used in all situations where patients need this extra help. The radiant warmer supplies infrared radiation in the wavelength spectrum of 1.5 – 6.8 µm (IR-B + IR-C), according to the surface temperature of their ceramic heating elements. When medium and far infrared rays reach the human body, they are absorbed by the upper skin layers and converted into heat, without penetrating deeply into the radiation-sensitive tissue layers. The blood circulation is increased and the warmed blood is transported and distributed in the body. Ceramotherm® infrared radiation is gently, safely and efficiently converted into cosy body heat.
For information on temperature management and Weyer Ceramotherm® 3000, contact Tracey Pavier-Grant, Sales & Marketing Director at Central Medical Supplies, on 01538 392 596 or email tracey@centralmedical.co.uk. Alternatively, you can find out more by visiting www.centralmedical.co.uk
