title: Effects of comfort warming on preoperative patients.
abstract: THERMAL COMFORT IS ONE DIMENSION of overall patient comfort, and it usually is addressed by covering the patient with warmed cotton blankets. WARMING HELPS A PATIENT maintain normothermia and appears to decrease patient anxiety. AN STUDY WAS CONDUCTED in a preoperative setting to compare the effects of preoperative warming with warmed cotton blankets versus patient-controlled warming gowns on patients' perceptions of thermal comfort and anxiety. BOTH WARMING INTERVENTIONS had a positive effect on patients' thermal comfort and sense of well-being. Patients who used the patient-controlled warming gown also experienced a significant reduction in preoperative anxiety.
authors.affiliation: North Georgia College and State University, Dahlonega, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Doreen
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Byrne
authors.forename: Katharine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kolcaba
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001512:Bedding and Linens; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation; D003020:Clothing; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000451:nursing