Why are hospital blankets so warm?

Some people wonder why hospital blankets are so warm. Well, for obvious reasons, hospital blankets are used to ensure that ill patients are kept at the right temperature to regulate their body temperature whilst in hospital. Some patients, such as the elderly, may have a harder time keeping warm, and this is where a heavyweight blanket can help.

Hospitals use different types of blankets on different wards – a common hospital blanket is a cellular blanket. These blankets are considered warm as they provide an extra layer of warmth. The holes in the blanket allow air to move into the fibres, which heats up with the warmth of the body, and this warm air is then trapped inside the layers. This process means the blanket warms up faster than non-cellular blankets, which is why they are a popular choice for patients.

Other types of hospital blankets are thermal throw blankets. These are designed with small woven pockets which, like the cellular blanket, trap warmth. Despite being very lightweight, they are relied on by hospitals to provide warmth when needed, without overheating a patient.