Table 2.
Equipment to prevent, diagnose and treat hypothermia in Norway
| |
Ground ambulance services (AS) |
Fixed wing (FW) (n = 9) |
Helicopter emergency medical service(HEMS) |
National search and rescue service (SAR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| |
Total 512 |
Total 9 |
Total 12 |
Total 10 |
| n and (%) | n and (%) | n and (%) | n and (%) | |
|
Insulation material available | ||||
| Space blankets |
151 (29) |
5 (56) |
8 (67) |
0 |
| Hospital duvets |
468 (91) |
9 (100) |
11 (92) |
10 (100) |
| Cotton blankets |
436 (85) |
7 (78) |
7 (58) |
2 (20) |
| Plastic “bubble wrap” |
428 (84) |
0 |
12 (100) |
10 (100) |
| Wool blankets |
154 (30) |
9 (100) |
2 (17) |
9 (90) |
| Sleeping bags |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Shelter bags (not insulated) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Insulated shelter bags |
0 |
0 |
2 (17) |
10 (100) |
| Separate head cover |
220 (43) |
0 |
7 (58) |
10 (100) |
| Body bags |
512 (100) |
0 |
0 |
10 (100) |
| Plastic covers |
0 |
1 (11) |
0 |
0 |
| Othera |
148 (29) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Active warming equipment |
72 (14) |
4 (44) |
7 (58) |
7 (70) |
| Chemical heat pads |
57 (11) |
4 (44) |
7 (58) |
5 (50) |
| Water bottles |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 (50) |
| Electrical heating blankets |
0 |
0 |
4 (33) |
0 |
| Forced air warmer |
0 |
0 |
2 (17) |
0 |
| Warm i.v. fluid protocol |
15 (3) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Other |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Treatment protocols |
373 (73) |
2 (22) |
5 (42) |
7 (70) |
|
Hypothermia thermometers | ||||
| Yes |
61 (12) |
7 (100) |
12 (100) |
10 (100) |
| Not sure |
123 (24) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| For rectal use |
61 (100)b |
7 (100) |
12 (100) |
8 (80) |
| For oesophageal use |
0 |
7 (100) |
12 (100) |
8 (80) |
| For tympanic use |
46 (75)b |
0 |
0 |
2 (20) |
| For oral use |
0 (0)b |
1 (11) |
0 |
0 |
| For axillary use |
0 (0)b |
3 (33) |
0 |
0 |
| Otherd |
0 |
4 (44) |
0 |
3 (30) |
|
Hot i.v. fluids |
468 (91) |
1 (11) |
11 (92)c |
10 (100) |
| Infusion heaters | 15 (3) | 0 | 2 (17) | 2 (20) |
aBlizzard® rescue blanket, vacuum mattresses.
bNumber and percentage of units represented in “Yes” category (n = 61).
cHEMS fluids are kept warm in storage lockers at the base, not in the helicopter unit.
dBladder, skin.