Zehra Palejwala , Fiona M. Wood , Shane K. Maloney , Grant J. Landers , Ullrich K.H. Ecker , Karen E. Wallman
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background
Burn injuries occurring to more than 20 % of a patient’s total body surface area (TBSA) are often treated in hot theatres and are considered complex cases, potentially increasing stress in the surgical staff. While heat stress is known to affect perceived workload and cognitive function, the effect of psychological stress, and the combined effect of heat and psychological stress, have not been explored in surgical staff. Thus, our aim was to assess the separate and combined effects of heat and psychological stress on cognitive function, perceptual measures, and physiological variables of surgical staff during burn surgery.
Methods
Eight surgical personnel were assessed in control conditions: CON (24 ± 1°C; 7 ± 10 % TBSA), hot conditions: HOT (30 ± 1°C; 18 ± 2 % TBSA), and complex, hot conditions: HOTC (32 ± 1°C; 37 ± 23 % TBSA). Cognitive function and perception of thermal sensation and comfort were recorded pre- and post-surgery, while perceived workload was assessed post-surgery only. Physiological variables were recorded throughout surgery.
Results
Working memory capacity pre-surgery (g=0.38) and processing speed were impaired in HOTC compared to CON (p < 0.05), but were not different between HOT and CON (p > 0.05). Perceived workload was higher in HOTC compared to CON (p < 0.05) but was not different between HOT and CON (p > 0.05). Numerical differences in core temperature between HOTC and CON were larger than differences between HOT and CON, while heart rate was significantly higher in HOTC compared to HOT or CON (p < 0.05).
Conclusions
Heat stress can cause symptoms of heat strain in the surgical team, which can be exacerbated by psychological stress, potentially leading to cognitive impairments and a higher perceived workload.
期刊介绍:
Burns aims to foster the exchange of information among all engaged in preventing and treating the effects of burns. The journal focuses on clinical, scientific and social aspects of these injuries and covers the prevention of the injury, the epidemiology of such injuries and all aspects of treatment including development of new techniques and technologies and verification of existing ones. Regular features include clinical and scientific papers, state of the art reviews and descriptions of burn-care in practice.
Topics covered by Burns include: the effects of smoke on man and animals, their tissues and cells; the responses to and treatment of patients and animals with chemical injuries to the skin; the biological and clinical effects of cold injuries; surgical techniques which are, or may be relevant to the treatment of burned patients during the acute or reconstructive phase following injury; well controlled laboratory studies of the effectiveness of anti-microbial agents on infection and new materials on scarring and healing; inflammatory responses to injury, effectiveness of related agents and other compounds used to modify the physiological and cellular responses to the injury; experimental studies of burns and the outcome of burn wound healing; regenerative medicine concerning the skin.