598 Protection Against Thermal Stress in Humans: Application of “Cooling Wear” Under Heated Conditions in Burn Centers

Abstract Introduction Many professional groups have to work in places with high temperatures; this includes, for example, doctors and nursing staff working at burn centres. Increased ambient temperature during the care of severely burned patients in the operating theatre and intensive care unit is used to mitigate the loss of thermoregulation, prevent hypothermia, and minimize the impact of hypermetabolism. However, experimental evidence indicates, that even relatively mild thermal stress may affect human performance. Novel cooling strategies have been invented for reducing thermal stress in people, who are occupationally exposed to high temperatures and have for instance already been tested in the military field. Here, the present study investigated the effects of cooling wear on the performance under high ambient temperatures. Methods Effects of cooling wear on concentration and performance of surgeons were investigated in 12 subjects during a simulated burn surgery. Subjects were divided into two groups, one group wearing cooling wear and one control group with normal scrubs. Directly before the exposure to high ambient temperatures, subjects of both groups underwent standardized tests for concentration, manual dexterity and measurements of physiological parameters. After a simulated burn surgery of 1 hour, subjects underwent the same analysing procedure again. Results Results proved that even relatively mild thermal stress affects performance whereby complex actions, that require high concentration, are primarily affected. Initial values of both groups showed approximately homogenous values. After heat exposure, however, subjects who received cooling wear showed higher results in tests for concentration and manual dexterity. Furthermore, the comparison of physical parameters indicates the ability of cooling wear to reduce thermal stress and its’ negative effects on the human organism. Conclusions Decrements in vigilance, performance and endurance are well-documented effects of thermal stress. As an opportunity to withstand thermal stress and therefore improve medical care, cooling wear showed good results in many aspects. Applicability of Research to Practice Based on these promising results cooling strategies may be used as an important tool in medical sectors in the future. Burn medicine may particularly profit from further development and rigorous investigation of cooling strategies.