What are the indications for hospital admission in patients with hypothermia?

Indications for hospital admission in patients presenting with hypothermia include:

• Core body temperature below 36.0°C (definition of hypothermia) requiring active warming and monitoring, especially if the patient cannot be warmed adequately in the community or outpatient setting ¹.
• Presence of clinical instability or complications such as cardiovascular compromise, altered level of consciousness, or other signs of physiological deterioration necessitating close monitoring and supportive care ⁶.
• Need for continuous temperature monitoring and active warming measures that cannot be safely or effectively delivered outside hospital, including forced-air warming devices and intravenous fluid warming ¹.
• Underlying conditions or comorbidities that increase risk of adverse outcomes from hypothermia, such as cardiovascular disease or major surgery, which require inpatient management ¹.
• Any patient with hypothermia who is medically unstable or has signs of organ dysfunction should be admitted for observation and treatment ²,⁶.

In summary, hospital admission is indicated for hypothermic patients who are medically unstable, have a core temperature below 36.0°C requiring active warming, or have complications or comorbidities that necessitate close monitoring and specialist care ¹,²,⁶.