Australasian College of Paramedicine International Conference (ACPIC24)

ACPIC 2024 delivered a wide range of clinical and research sessions from experts and leaders in paramedicine. Hosted in Sydney (September 2024) the program was designed to inspire, educate and broaden horizons.

Conference theme: Paramedicine's evolution – Embracing the new era

Blanket methods for trauma patient warming: A comparative study of a novel self-warming blanket versus foil blanket

The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of traditional cotton and foil blankets with a novel self-warming blanket in maintaining normothermia in trauma patients. In a simulated trauma scenario, participants were cooled and then warmed using either combination of blankets. Core and total body temperatures were measured throughout the process. Results indicated no significant difference between the two methods in maintaining normothermia, as both showed similar temperature changes. The study concludes that the novel self-warming blanket is not more effective than the traditional method, suggesting further research into other warming methods.

Biography: A/Prof Ben Meadley

Ben Meadley is a registered paramedic and Director, Paramedicine at Ambulance Victoria. Ben has worked as a clinician, educator, and researcher in paramedicine for more than 26 years, with the majority of his time as an intensive care flight paramedic. His research interests include respiratory and cardiovascular physiology, point of care ultrasound, human performance optimisation, and selection to specialist paramedicine teams. Ben divides his time between clinical leadership, teaching and research roles. He is a Fellow of the Australasian College of Paramedicine and was awarded the Ambulance Service Medal in 2023.

Moderator: Dr Nigel Barr, ACPIC24 Organising Committee Member