Open AccessIS AN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT A SAFER PLACE FOR HYPOTHERMIC VICTIMS THAN AN AMBULANCE? A COMPARISON OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF MEDICAL PERSONNEL CONCERNING HYPOTHERMIA
Author(s) -
Paweł Podsiadło,
Adam Nogalski,
Sylweriusz Kosiński,
Tomasz Sanak,
Kinga Sałapa,
Robert Gałązkowski,
Tomasz Darocha
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
wiadomości lekarskie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2719-342X
pISSN - 0043-5147
DOI - 10.36740/wlek201902113
Subject(s) - hypothermia , medicine , medical emergency , emergency department , emergency medical services , personal protective equipment , emergency medicine , nursing , anesthesia , disease , covid-19 , infectious disease (medical specialty) , pathology
Improper initial management of a victim in severe hypothermia is associated with a risk of cardiac arrest. At the same time, an uncontrolled drop in core bodytemperature in trauma victims is an independent risk factor for mortality. Medical personnel require a thorough understanding of the pathophysiology and treatment ofhypothermia. Gaps in this understanding can lead to serious complications for patients.The aim: To compare knowledge concerning hypothermia between medical personnel working in emergency departments (ED) and emergency medical services (EMS).Materials and methods: A total of 5,362 participants were included in the study. In this study, EMS and ED personnel were encouraged to participate in an e-learning courseon hypothermia. Subsequently, the scores of a pre-test, lesson tests and post-test completed by participants of this course were compared.Results: Pre-test scores were significantly higher among personnel working in EMS compared with those working in EDs. Nurses employed in EDs had significantly morefailures in completing the course than EMS nurses. The most difficult topics for all practitioners were post-traumatic hypothermia and hypothermia-related clotting disorders.Conclusions: EMS personnel have a higher level of knowledge of hypothermia than ED personnel. Moreover, an e-learning course is an effective tool for improving medicalpersonnel’s knowledge of hypothermia.