• Roy Fischer and Paul F Lambert.
• MedSTAR/Rescue, Retrieval and Aviation Services, South Australian Ambulance Service, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
• Emerg Med Australas. 2024 Jun 1; 36 (3): 371377371-377.

IntroductionHypothermia is a well-recognised finding in trauma patients, which can occur even in warmer climates. It is an independent predictor of increased morbidity and mortality. It is associated with pre-hospital intubation, although the reasons for this are likely to be multifactorial. Core temperature drop after induction of anaesthesia is a well-known phenomenon in the context of elective surgery, and the mechanisms of this are well established.MethodsWe conducted a prospective observational study to examine the behaviour of core temperature in patients undergoing pre-hospital anaesthesia for traumatic injuries.ResultsBetween 2017 and 2021 data were collected on 48 patients. The data from 40 of these were included in the final analysis.DiscussionOur data do not show a decrease in the core temperatures of patients who receive pre-hospital anaesthesia, unlike patients who are anaesthetised without pre-warming, in operating theatres. The lack of a change could relate to patient, anaesthetic or environmental factors.© 2023 The Authors. Emergency Medicine Australasia published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australasian College for Emergency Medicine.

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