Enhancing exertional heat stroke patient care: where are we now and where do we need to go?

Management and care When a patient presents with altered mental status during or following physical activity where EHS is suspected, assessment of internal body temperature after confirmation of intact circulation and airway using rectal thermometry is warranted. On confirmation of a rectal temperat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:British journal of sports medicine 2024-01, Vol.58 (1), p.1-3
Main Authors: Adams, William M, Hosokawa, Yuri, Scarneo-Miller, Samantha E, Belval, Luke N
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Athletic Injuries
Best practice
Body temperature
Body Temperature Regulation
Cardiac arrest
Clinical outcomes
Continuing education
Cooling
Death
Editorial
Education
Emergency preparedness
Exercise
Heat
Heatstroke
Hot Temperature
Injuries
Knowledge
Medical personnel
Medical profession
Paralympic Games
Professionals
Scope of practice
Sports medicine
Thermometers
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Summary:Management and care When a patient presents with altered mental status during or following physical activity where EHS is suspected, assessment of internal body temperature after confirmation of intact circulation and airway using rectal thermometry is warranted. On confirmation of a rectal temperature >40.5°C and accompanying altered mental status, onsite care is required using whole-body cooling methods (eg, cold water immersion, tarp-assisted cooling). Common errors include using methods of body temperature assessment (eg, oral, axillary or tympanic) that differ from rectal thermometry, the decision to transport the patient to a higher level care facility prior to the initiation and completion of onsite treatment, and using cooling modalities that offer insufficient cooling rates to rapidly reduce internal body temperature. (2.1) Geographical and regulatory (eg, licensing) requirements may prohibit the implementation of all aspects of EHS care (eg, rectal thermometry, cold water immersion) among certain healthcare professions that are responsible for providing healthcare services to athletes.
ISSN:0306-3674
1473-0480
DOI:10.1136/bjsports-2023-106713