Sustainability assessment of perioperative patient warming devices: a comparative life cycle assessment and costing
Authors' conclusion
The environmental and economic sustainability of perioperative patient warming can be optimised by minimising flannel blankets and disposable consumables in the perioperative period and by using the resistive blanket for active warming.
Study context
- Population
- Perioperative patient warming devices; functional unit 1 h of active warming or one warmed flannel blanket; eight clinical scenarios
- Comparison
- Forced air warmer vs resistive blanket vs circulating water garment (active warming); warmed flannel blankets (passive warming)
- Outcome
- Environmental and economic impacts of patient warming methods
Methodological detailsmulticriteria decision analysis, scenario modelling
- Multicriteria decision analysis
- Scenario modelling
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Environmental and economic impacts
| Group | Global warming potential, % of forced air warmer | Cumulative energy demand, % of forced air warmer |
|---|---|---|
| Resistive blanket | <7% | 25% |
Resistive blanket
Global warming potential, % of forced air warmer<7%
Cumulative energy demand, % of forced air warmer25%
Original publication
Sustainability assessment of perioperative patient warming devices: a comparative life cycle assessment and costing. Br J Anaesth. Published 19 June 2025. doi:10.
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