Impact of Hypothermia (below 36°C) in the Rural Trauma Patient

Abstract

Hypothermia is a common problem at admission in a rural trauma center. It is associated with an increase in hospitalized days but not with increased ICU or ventilator days among survivors. Other than arrhythmias, it was not significantly associated with other National Trauma Registry of the American College of Surgeons infectious or organ dysfunction complications. Hypothermia is an independent risk factor for mortality in the rural trauma patient.