Alaska medicine
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There appears to be several areas of concern relating to the continued use of heating gases higher than body temperature for the treatment of cold water near-drowning. The use of heated gases as a primary means to rewarm a hypothermic patient does not seem to be any more effective than doing nothing at all. These low rewarming rates translate into some very long resuscitations. ⋯ The researchers have done their jobs in providing us with reasonable data on which to base a clinical decision. It would seem to me that if a Clinical Practice Guideline for cold water near-drowning or hypothermia were in place it might provide the other groups impetus for updating their guidelines. The bottom line is that patients deserve the best care that we know how to provide, and a clear set of guidelines is an essential first step.