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Active self-warming blankets have become an invaluable aid for the prevention of perioperative hypothermia in patients1. However, casual observation in two hospitals revealed many instances of their use contrary to the manufacturer's instructions, though with no observed harm to patients2. Patients were seen taking them home, folded in their belongings, after becoming enamoured with them during day surgery. Day surgery admission staff were observed opening a number of blankets, folding and storing them in a layered pile to ensure supplies for peak admission times. Additionally, the warming blankets were occasionally found rolled/bundled under bed linen while the patient was in theatre. The same patient would then have this blanket placed on them as they were taken to recovery after surgery. Concerned about patients being exposed to a burn hazard, we devised a simple test to measure the maximal temperature the blanket may generate when used as we commonly observed, albeit outside the manufacturer's instructions.
Four BARRIER® EasyWarm® active self-warming blankets, distributed by Mölnlycke Health Care (Frenchs Forest, New South Wales) were obtained for testing. Each was laid opened on a flat surface for 30 minutes to fully activate, then refolded and placed in a small carry bag. A Go!Temp temperature probe, manufactured by Vernier Software & Technology (Beaverton, OR, USA), was placed in the centre of the folded blanket. The temperature was logged on Logger® Pro 3 (Vernier Software and Technology, Beaverton, OR, USA) software. Measurements were taken every 12 seconds for two hours. A second probe monitored ambient room temperature. Both were dual point calibrated at freezing and boiling points for water. Recordings...