Objective:Inducing mild hypothermia in survivors of cardiac arrest has been demonstrated to improve outcomes. Despite this, other studies have found that few resuscitation physicians have used hypothermia in clinical practice. The objective of this study was to characterize the use of induced hypothermia by Canadian emergency physicians.Methods:An internet-based survey was distributed to all members of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP). Participants were asked about their experience with, methods for and barriers to inducing hypothermia.Results:Of the 1328 CAEP members surveyed, 247 (18.6%) responded, with the majority working in academic centres (60.3%). Ninety-five out of 202 respondents (47.0%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 40.8%–53.2%) indicated that they had induced hypothermia in clinical practice and 86 of 212 (40.6%, 95% CI 34.0%–47.2%) worked in a department that had a policy or protocol for the use of induced hypothermia. The presence of a departmental policy or protocol was strongly associated with the use of induced hypothermia (unadjusted odds ratio 10.5, 95% CI 5.3–20.8). Barriers against induced hypothermia cited by respondents included a lack of institutional policies and protocols (38.9%), and of resources (29.4%). Lack of support from consultants was relatively uncommon (8.7%) in Canadian practice.Conclusion:Only one-half of Canadian emergency physicians report that they have used therapeutic hypothermia in practice. Emergency departments should develop policies or protocols for inducing hypothermia in cardiac arrest survivors to optimize patient outcomes.

Hockey is enjoyed by millions of people around the world and is a sport in which aggression is encouraged and injuries are common. Although body-checking is the most common cause of injury in hockey today, hockey sticks are associated with up to 14% of injuries. We report a case of chest trauma requiring surgical intervention secondary to the penetration of a composite hockey stick into a player's thoracic cavity. RÉSUMÉDes millions de personnes partout dans le monde sont des amateurs de hockey, un sport où l'agressivité est encouragée et où les blessures sont fréquentes. Bien que la mise en échec soit la cause la plus courante de blessures au hockey de nos jours, les bâtons de hockey sont pour leur part responsables de 14 % des blessures. Nous présentons un cas de blessure au thorax ayant né-cessité une intervention chirurgicale à la suite de la pénétration d'un bâton de hockey en matériau composite dans la cavité thoracique d'un joueur.