Randomized Prospective Comparison of Forced Air Warming Using Hospital Blankets versus Commercial Blankets in Surgical Patients

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an experimental approach to forced air warming using hospital blankets or a Bair Hugger warming unit (Augustine Medical Inc., Eden Prairie, MN) to create a tent of warm air.

Methods: Adult patients undergoing major surgery were studied. Patients were randomized to receive forced air warming using either a commercial Bair Hugger blanket (control group, n = 44; set point, 43degrees]C) or standard hospital blankets (experimental group, n = 39; set point, 38degrees]C). Distal esophageal temperatures were monitored. Patients were contacted the following day regarding any problems with the assigned warming technique.

Results: Surface area covered was 36 +/- 12% (mean +/- SD) in the experimental group and 40 +/- 10% in the control group. Final temperatures at the end of surgery were similar between groups: experimental, 36.2 +/- 0.6degrees]C; control, 36.4 +/- 0.7degrees]C. A similar number of patients had esophageal temperature less than 36degrees]C at the end of surgery in both groups (experimental, 12 of 39 31%]; control, 12 of 44 27%]). The majority of patients were satisfied with their anesthetic and warming technique: experimental, 38 of 39 patients; control, 44 of 44 patients. There were no thermal injuries.