Abstract
Background: In 2009, the ECRI Institute recommended warming cotton blankets in cabinets set at 130°F or less. However, there is limited research to support the use of this cabinet temperature. Purpose: To measure skin temperatures and thermal comfort in healthy volunteers before and after application of blankets warmed in cabinets set at 130 and 200°F, respectively, and to determine the time-dependent cooling of cotton blankets after removal from warming cabinets set at the two temperatures. Design: Prospective, comparative, descriptive. Methods: Participants (n = 20) received one or two blankets warmed in 130 or 200°F cabinets. First, skin temperatures were measured, and thermal comfort reports were obtained at fixed timed intervals. Second, blanket temperatures (n = 10) were measured at fixed intervals after removal from the cabinets. Finding: No skin temperatures approached levels reported in the literature that cause epidermal damage. Thermal comfort reports supported using blankets from the 200°F cabinet, and blankets lost heat quickly over time. Conclusions: We recommend warming cotton blankets in cabinets set at 200°F or less to improve thermal comfort without compromising patient safety.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 337-346 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Journal of Perianesthesia Nursing |
Volume | 28 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 1 2013 |
Keywords
- Blanket warmer cabinet
- Cabinet temperatures
- PACU
- Thermal comfort
- Warmed blankets
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medical–Surgical