title: Thermal comfort and safety of cotton blankets warmed at 130°F and 200°F.
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.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  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.
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Susan K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: Mary L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Krogh
authors.forename: Elizabeth C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Morse
authors.forename: Craig G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Crandall
authors.forename: Elizabeth H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Winslow
authors.forename: Julie P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Balluck
mesh_terms: D001512:Bedding and Linens; D006358:Hot Temperature; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012449:Safety
keywords: PACU; blanket warmer cabinet; cabinet temperatures; thermal comfort; warmed blankets