Posts tagged 'blanketwarmer'

Nobody wants to be sick and no one wants to be in the hospital or in an imaging facility waiting for an examination. While some facilities are building fancy facilities and putting more art on the walls, research shows that doesn’t matter as much to patients as does the basics of comfort and well-being.  Being comfortable and feeling calm is increasingly recognized as equal to disease care itself. This is especially important since patient satisfaction surveys greatly determine in part how much money the government pays for care.

The importance of patient warming in the maintenance of thermal comfort is well supported. Multiple studies have reported an increase in patient satisfaction and perception of thermal comfort and a decrease in patient anxiety especially when it came to pre- and post-operative care or while waiting for a test or exam.  Warm blankets can provide physical and psychological benefits to patients on so many levels. Z&Z Medical carries a wide variety of blanket warmers to provide thermal comfort for patients including portable blanket warmers that can be kept in individual imaging rooms, CT, MRI, or Ultrasound. Visit our website www.zzmedical to learn more.

WHAT IS A BLANKET WARMER? From hospital hallways to spa counters, blanket warmers (also known as “blanket warming cabinets”) can be found in a variety of facilities. The terms “blanket warmer” and “blanket warming cabinet” refer to the same equipment: a heated compartment used to keep linens warm. A blanket warmer/warming cabinet can also be referred to as hospital blanket warmer, medical blanket warmer, blanket warmer cabinet, and portable blanket warmers.

BLANKET WARMER OR WARMING CABINET?  A blanket warmer is specifically designed to hold linens at a warm temperature, the term “warming cabinet” has a broader definition. Warming cabinets may be used to store fluids, including biological samples, surgical IV fluids, and blood. Patient blankets and fluids should never be stored in the same cabinet. Instead, many blanket warmer manufacturers make stackable equipment, making it easier to access a variety of materials while keeping them stored independently.

FEATURES OF BLANKET WARMERS While there are a variety of blanket warmers in the market, most share certain construction and design features. Adjustable shelving is common, as this allows staff to accommodate several rows of blankets rather than stacking the pieces on top of each other. Some blanket warmers include locks to prevent unauthorized access and there are portable blanket warmers to provide a quick warm blanket anywhere it is needed. 

FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN PURCHASING A BLANKET WARMER  While cost is obviously a factor in a buying decision, size will also be a prime consideration. When deciding on a blanket warmer for your facility, always measure the area around the equipment to make sure there is proper clearance. While some blanket warmers are designed for built-in installation, many require a minimum of 4 inches around each side to ensure proper functionality. If you need a warmer for multiple areas of your facility, consider one large central blanket warmer and portable blanket warmers for the multiple smaller areas to provide a warm blanket quickly without having to ever leave the patient alone.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF BLANKET WARMERS Blanket warmers are generally upright front-opening cabinets with a built-in heating device. Solid and glass door versions are available from a variety of equipment manufacturers. Many facilities prefer glass door options, as this keeps the blanket inventory in view at all times. The glass doors used in blanket warmer design are usually double pane tempered glass, with an argon filling to help prevent condensation from fogging up the door. There are also portable blanket warmers that can be purchased with AC or DC power to make them truly a one-of-a-kind!

Interested in learning more?

Browse our full line of blanket warmers or contact our customer service team at info@zzmedical.com

A blanket warmer, sometimes called a warming cabinet, is used to store and warm blankets, gowns, washcloths, towels, or other linens in a healthcare or service-related environment. They come in various sizes and can have several compartments depending on your warming needs.  It’s common to have low temperatures in rooms where medical procedures or where surgery is performed. It is also common to have anxious patients waiting for long periods of time in staging areas before an exam or a procedure. Both of these scenarios can have adverse effects on the patient. A warm blanket can be the first method for keeping a patient’s body at normal temperature and the first thing to help ease their fears and anxiety