Ambulance services and Emergency Departments in the UK are currently facing significant challenges with patient transport and handovers, straining both emergency services and hospital capacity.
Ambulance handover delays at hospitals have become a critical issue, with some patients waiting hours in vehicles before being admitted, leading to overcrowding and putting additional pressure on already stretched NHS resources.
Staffing shortages, bed shortages and other factors further exacerbate the problem, making patient flow a persistent bottleneck in the healthcare system.
Amongst other challenges, these delays impact patient outcomes by delaying essential treatment. One of the most critical yet often overlooked risks is temperature management—patients, especially the elderly, those with underlying health conditions, or those in shock are susceptible to hypothermia when left waiting in ambulances or hospital corridors.
What are the main contributors to heat loss?
Inadequate insulation, prolonged exposure to low temperatures, and the inability to move freely can all contribute to a drop in body temperature.
Limited insulation from standard solutions – Standard blankets and foil blankets provide minimal protection against cooling and forced air warming and other active warming solutions are not typically available in all ambulances due to space constraints.
Prolonged transfer times – The longer a patient is in transit without proper warming measures, the greater the risk of hypothermia.
Environmental exposure – Moving between different environments (outdoor to indoor, ward to OR) exposes patients to temperature fluctuations.
Anaesthesia – If patients are triaged to the operating theatre, the effects of anaesthesia can lower body temperature further.
Why does temperature management matter?
Even mild hypothermia can lead to serious complications, including increased infection risk, prolonged hospital stays and impaired wound healing. Keeping patients warm during transport is not just about comfort – it is essential for improving health outcomes. Studies show that preventing heat loss reduces complications such as:
Increased surgical recovery times – Cold patients take longer to recover post-surgery.
Higher infection rates – Hypothermia can suppress immune function, increasing the risk of infections.
Cardiovascular stress – Temperature drops can cause blood pressure fluctuations, increasing strain on the heart.
Delayed healing – Optimal body temperature promotes better circulation and oxygenation of tissues.
By prioritising temperature management, healthcare providers can improve patient safety and enhance recovery.
Passive warming solutions: A simple, effective approach
One way to help prevent heat loss during transportation and during long handovers is by using passive warming solutions. THERMARMOUR provides innovative, high-performance passive warming products designed to help maintain patient normothermia.
Benefits of THERMARMOUR passive warming solutions:
Easy to implement – Can be deployed without the need for plug sockets or complicated equipment.
Effective heat retention – Advanced thermal insulation helps maintain patient normothermia.
Lightweight and portable – Ideal for emergency transport, hospital transfers and pre-operative warming.
Cost-effective – Passive warming solutions are a cost-effective option when compared to alternative warming methods.
To find out more about THERMARMOUR’s passive warming blankets, you can:
Conclusion
Temperature management should be a priority in patient transport and handover to minimise heat loss and reduce the risks associated with hypothermia. Whether transferring a trauma patient to the emergency room or moving a surgical patient to the OR, maintaining normothermia is critical for improved recovery and reduced complications.
THERMARMOUR‘s passive warming solutions provide a simple yet highly effective way to help safeguard patient temperature during transport. By integrating these solutions into standard transport protocols, healthcare providers can enhance patient care and drive better health outcomes.
*Every patient should be assessed for their individual needs and the appropriate solution. This may involve active warming where deemed necessary.
Categories: Emergency, Medical
Tags: ambulance, emergency, hypothermia, medical, patient transport, perioperative hypothermia
