Implementation of European Resuscitation Council guidelines: measurement of core body temperature in Emergency Medical Services in Europe

Introduction
Precise assessment of core body temperature is required for the optimal treatment of hypothermic patients according to European Resuscitation Council (ERC) guidelines. Core temperature is the cut-off criterion for some crucial therapeutic decisions in the treatment of severe hypothermia. Because the medical equipment is expensive, it is likely that pre-hospital services are equipped according to the minimal legal requirements.

Aim of the research
To identify the legal provisions for suitable equipment and staff eligibility for core temperature measurement in European emergency medical services.

Material and methods
The questionnaires that consisted of two questions pertaining to legal regulations were distributed among Ministries of Health and ERC representatives in every country of the European Union.

Results
Eighteen out of 28 countries returned completed questionnaires. None of the analysed countries have official legal requirements regarding ambulance equipment with thermometers suitable for measuring core temperature. Most of the analysed countries have no legal provisions pertaining to the eligibility of medical staff to measure core temperature in ambulances.

Conclusions
Official regulations in European countries do not require emergency medical services to be equipped with thermometers suitable for measuring core temperature. Medical staff eligibility in this field has not been established in most countries. This may limit the possibilities for pre-hospital management of hypothermic patients according to ERC guidelines.