Prehospital Temperature Assessment in Burn Patients using the Aotearoa New Zealand Paramedic Care Collection: A Descriptive Analysis
Presenter: Paul Baker, Clinical Lead for Burns, New Zealand National Burn Centre
Authors List
Todd, V., Department of Paramedicine, Auckland University of Technology (AUT), Auckland and Clinical Evaluation, Research, and Insights Team (CERI), Hato Hone St John (HHStJ), Auckland, NZ
Gaylor, C., AUT and HHStJ, Auckland, NZ
Latta, H., Wellington Free Ambulance, Wellington and AUT, Auckland, NZ
Maessen, S., HHStJ and AUT, Auckland, NZ
Guruge, S., HHStJ and AUT, Auckland, NZ
Dicker, B. AUT and HHStJ, Auckland, NZ
Baker, P. New Zealand National Burn Centre, Middlemore, Auckland, NZ
Introduction
Burn patients face a significant risk of hypothermia due to compromised thermoregulation following loss of skin integrity. Hypothermia at hospital arrival is linked to increased mortality, surgical complications, and delayed operative intervention. The extent to which prehospital temperature assessment occurs in this patient population across Aotearoa New Zealand has not previously been described.
Aims
To describe the prevalence of prehospital temperature recording and hypothermia (<36°C) among burn patients attended by paramedics in Aotearoa New Zealand
Methods
A national, retrospective observational study utilising data from the Aotearoa New Zealand Paramedic Care Collection (ANZPaCC) over a one-year period (1 July 2024 – 30 June 2025). Adult patients (≥15 years) with a clinical impression of burn were included. Recorded temperatures were classified as hypothermic (<36°C) or non-hypothermic (≥36°C).
Results
Of 1155 adult cases, temperature was documented in 70.1% (n=810). Hypothermia was identified in 21.7% of those where temperature was recorded. Fewer temperature recordings were taken in females, Pacific People, Asian, high-deprivation areas, and higher-acuity cases. Temperature recording was less common in higher-acuity presentations, where identifying hypothermia may be particularly important.
Conclusion
Nearly one-third of burn patients attended by ambulance services had no prehospital temperature recorded, and hypothermia was present in approximately one in five of those measured. These findings indicate a meaningful opportunity to strengthen prehospital assessment practices for this vulnerable patient group.
Todd, V., Department of Paramedicine, Auckland University of Technology (AUT), Auckland and Clinical Evaluation, Research, and Insights Team (CERI), Hato Hone St John (HHStJ), Auckland, NZ
Gaylor, C., AUT and HHStJ, Auckland, NZ
Latta, H., Wellington Free Ambulance, Wellington and AUT, Auckland, NZ
Maessen, S., HHStJ and AUT, Auckland, NZ
Guruge, S., HHStJ and AUT, Auckland, NZ
Dicker, B. AUT and HHStJ, Auckland, NZ
Baker, P. New Zealand National Burn Centre, Middlemore, Auckland, NZ
Introduction
Burn patients face a significant risk of hypothermia due to compromised thermoregulation following loss of skin integrity. Hypothermia at hospital arrival is linked to increased mortality, surgical complications, and delayed operative intervention. The extent to which prehospital temperature assessment occurs in this patient population across Aotearoa New Zealand has not previously been described.
Aims
To describe the prevalence of prehospital temperature recording and hypothermia (<36°C) among burn patients attended by paramedics in Aotearoa New Zealand
Methods
A national, retrospective observational study utilising data from the Aotearoa New Zealand Paramedic Care Collection (ANZPaCC) over a one-year period (1 July 2024 – 30 June 2025). Adult patients (≥15 years) with a clinical impression of burn were included. Recorded temperatures were classified as hypothermic (<36°C) or non-hypothermic (≥36°C).
Results
Of 1155 adult cases, temperature was documented in 70.1% (n=810). Hypothermia was identified in 21.7% of those where temperature was recorded. Fewer temperature recordings were taken in females, Pacific People, Asian, high-deprivation areas, and higher-acuity cases. Temperature recording was less common in higher-acuity presentations, where identifying hypothermia may be particularly important.
Conclusion
Nearly one-third of burn patients attended by ambulance services had no prehospital temperature recorded, and hypothermia was present in approximately one in five of those measured. These findings indicate a meaningful opportunity to strengthen prehospital assessment practices for this vulnerable patient group.
