Accidental Hypothermia S010

Current RMA Instruments

Changes from previous Instruments

Brief description

This SOP covers unintentionally low body temperature, with a core body temperature at or below 35 degrees.  The condition ranges from mild to severe, causing death.

Confirming the diagnosis

The diagnosis is made clinically, based on measurement of core body temperature.

The relevant medical specialist is an emergency medicine physician or intensive care specialist.

Additional diagnoses covered by SOP

• Nil

Conditions not covered by SOP 

• Hypothermia due to anaesthesia^#
• Induced hypothermia^#

^# Non-SOP condition

Clinical onset

This is an acute event.  Onset will be a short time (hours) before first presentation and diagnosis.

Clinical worsening

The only worseing factor is for inability to obtain appropriate clinical management.  Moderate to severe cases require emergency treatment.  In such cases there is a high mortality rate even with appropriate treatment.