Hypothermia: Our treatment is our prevention We know that
hypothermic patients are never considered dead until they are
warm and dead By Jeff Lindsey This has been one of the warmest
winters on record. Yet, hypothermia continues to be a threat to
our patients, especially our trauma patients. Even in the
sunshine state of Florida, hypothermia is a threat to those
exposed to the elements. Trauma patients are exceptionally
vulnerable to hypothermia. Patients experiencing shock, burns,
and head and spinal injuries are most susceptible. We know that
hypothermic patients are never considered dead until they are
warm and dead. Due to the mammalian reflex, our body shunts the
blood from our periphery to our core body organs, perfusing them
in order to maintain life. It also slows perfusion to conserve
and preserve our vital organs. Therefore, when the body begins
to warm, the patient’s body begins to restore perfusion to areas
where blood was shunted away. In a traumatic patient, perfusion
is compromised in a patient