Significance of the skin temperature in intravenous approach of paramedic

Abstract

The relation between the skin temperature of the puncture site (ST) and the performance of the intravenous approach (IVA) by paramedics was studied. METHODS: 282 records of IVA cases, from the data base of BANDO-MC (Ibarakiseinan Fire Department) between August 2018 to March 2019, were enrolled. RESULTS: High temperature group (HTG: ST ≥28.5˚C) was significantly better in width (p<0.05), perceptibility (p<0.01), palpability (p<0.01) of the target vein and shorter time for IVA procedure than the low temperature group (LTG: ST<28.5˚C). Despite the years of experience of paramedics in HTG was significantly lower than LTG, no difference was found in success rate of IVA between the groups. CONCLUSION: Our data suggests that higher ST may provide better condition for IVA and less procedure time in the prehospital setting.