Journal of Isfahan Medical School

Journal of Isfahan Medical School

The Prevalence of Hypothermia and its Relationship to the Mortality Rate in Burned Patients Referred to Imam Musa Kazim Hospital, Isfahan, Iran in 2014

Document Type : Original Article (s)

Authors
Davoud Yavari 1
Fatemeh Haddadi 2
Fereidon Abedini 3
1 Nurse, Imam Musa Kazim Hospital, Isfahan, Iran
2 Nurse, Department of Emergency, Imam Musa Kazim Hospital, Isfahan, Iran
3 Surgeon, Imam Musa Kazim Hospital, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
Background: A burned patient is prone to hypothermia because of the loss of skin and severity of the burning. Timely and correct treatment of burns can minimize the damage and and improper actions can cause irreversible damage and even tend to death. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of hypothermia and its relationship to the mortality rate in burned patients referred to Imam Musa Kazim Hospital, Isfahan, Iran in 2014.Methods: The study samples were the patients with grades II or III selected via convenience sampling. Written consent was obtained from the subjects. First, researchers or colleagues take the patient's temperature with a rectal mercury thermometer. Rectal thermometer was placed in the anal canal and after 5 minutes, the temperature was read and recorded. Totally, 150 patients with the inclusion criteria entered the study.Findings: There was significant relationship between hypothermia and mortality (P < 0.050). Fisher's exact test showed no significant relationship between cooling the patients in the event site and hypothermia (P = 0.228). In addition, there was a significant relationship between keeping the patient warm during transporting to the hospital and hypothermia (P = 0.041).Conclusion: Based on our findings, it seems that transporting burned patients to the hospital is not done under standard condition. Regarding the consequences of incorrect transfer on wound healing process and length of hospital stay and cost of treatment, it is suggested that the transition team should be of qualified and trained staff to reduce the health-care costs in burn patients.
Keywords
Hypothermia
Burn
Transport
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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 33, Issue 358 - Serial Number 358
September and October 2016
Pages 1898-1903

  • Receive Date 11 June 2015
  • Accept Date 06 April 2022