International journal of trauma nursing
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Hypothermia is a life-threatening condition and can be a significant comorbid factor in a trauma patient. Certain social and medical characteristics can put a person at high risk for hypothermia, and special care must be provided to prevent and treat lower than normal body temperatures. In this article, a literature review was used to describe etiologies, assessment, treatment, and complications of hypothermia in the trauma patient.
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Critically injured patients benefit from the care of experienced, knowledgeable nurses. The state of Oregon addressed this need by requiring nurses to be a component of the trauma resuscitation team in trauma centers throughout the state. A description of how one level I trauma center created a unique position that would ensure that properly trained nurses were available for trauma patients is presented. The process of developing the position and the progress that the nurses have made is discussed.