If you’ve ever spent time in a hospital, outpatient clinic, or cancer treatment center, you’ve probably noticed how chilly it feels — even during the warmest months of the year. It’s a common experience for patients and visitors alike: shivering under thin hospital blankets or huddling in a sweater while nurses and doctors seem perfectly comfortable.

So why exactly are treatment centers so cold? Is it for comfort, safety, or something else entirely? In this post, we’ll break down the reasons behind those brisk temperatures, the different types of treatment centers you might encounter, and practical ways to stay warm during your visit.

Why Are Treatment Centers Kept So Cold?

While it might seem like hospitals and treatment centers are simply over-air-conditioned, there are actually important medical and logistical reasons for maintaining cooler indoor temperatures.

1. Infection Control

One of the most important reasons is to help reduce the risk of infection. Lower temperatures can slow the growth and spread of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. While cold air alone won’t sterilize a room, it can help create an environment less hospitable to germs, which is critical in spaces where patients have weakened immune systems or open wounds.

2. Managing Condensation and Air Quality

Cooler temperatures help control humidity inside a hospital or treatment center. High humidity can lead to condensation, making floors slippery and increasing the risk of falls. Moist environments can also promote the growth of mold and bacteria. By keeping temperatures lower and humidity in check, treatment centers maintain safer, cleaner, and drier conditions.

3. Staff Comfort

Hospitals and treatment centers are bustling environments, with nurses, doctors, technicians, and other staff constantly moving throughout their shifts. If indoor temperatures were too warm, it would quickly become uncomfortable for staff members performing physically demanding tasks. Lower temperatures help keep staff cool as they work, ensuring they can stay focused and alert.

4. Temperature Regulation During Procedures

In some cases, cooler temperatures are used as part of patient care itself. Cold therapy can help reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain. Certain operating rooms, for example, are intentionally kept cool to help manage infection control and the comfort of the surgical team while patient body temperatures are managed with warming devices during surgery. 

Different Types of Treatment Centers You Might Visit

It’s worth noting that "treatment centers" can refer to a variety of healthcare settings — not just hospitals. Each of these environments typically maintains a cooler temperature for similar reasons, though experiences may vary slightly depending on the facility.

1. Hospitals

Hospitals house inpatient services, surgical suites, emergency departments, and intensive care units. These environments are typically the coolest, especially operating rooms, ICUs, and post-anesthesia care units (PACUs) where temperature regulation is closely monitored.

2. Outpatient Surgery Centers

These facilities perform minor surgeries and procedures that don’t require overnight stays. Outpatient centers are kept similarly cool to manage infection risk and ensure staff comfort during procedures.

3. Chemotherapy and Infusion Centers

Cancer treatment centers and infusion clinics administer chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and other IV medications. These spaces are often particularly chilly, both to control infection risk for immunocompromised patients and to maintain medication stability.

4. Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy Centers

Although these centers focus on recovery and physical movement, temperatures are still kept on the cooler side to manage air quality and infection control — especially when serving post-surgical or medically vulnerable patients.

5. Imaging and Diagnostic Centers

MRI, CT scan, and X-ray suites can be quite cold, both for infection control and to protect sensitive imaging equipment that requires cooler temperatures for optimal operation.

Why Chemotherapy Patients Feel Even Colder

For people undergoing chemotherapy or cancer treatment, the chill of a treatment center can feel especially intense. Several factors contribute to this increased sensitivity:

• Dehydration: Many cancer treatments can lead to dehydration, which impairs the body’s natural ability to regulate temperature.
  

• Nerve Damage: Certain chemotherapy drugs can cause neuropathy, a condition that affects nerves and heightens sensitivity to temperature changes, particularly in the hands and feet.
  

• Cold Dysesthesia: Some chemotherapy regimens, especially those containing oxaliplatin, can cause cold dysesthesia — a sensation where even mild cold feels painfully intense. It can make air conditioning, chilled drinks, or handling cold objects extremely uncomfortable.
  

• Lowered Body Fat and Muscle Mass: Some patients lose weight and muscle mass during treatment, which can make it harder to retain body heat.
  

Unfortunately, unlike nausea or pain, this heightened cold sensitivity usually can’t be relieved by medication, making non-pharmaceutical coping strategies especially important.

7 Tips for How to Stay Warm in Cold Treatment Centers

While you can’t control the thermostat in a treatment center, you can take steps to make yourself more comfortable. Here are some practical ways to stay warm during your hospital or clinic visits:

1. Dress in Layers

Bring lightweight, soft layers you can easily add or remove (particularly while attached to medical equipment. Wrap cardigans, fleece jackets, ponchos, and capes work well since they’re easy to drape over IV lines or access ports. Our favorite item is this fleece-lined cape that has underarm buttons so that you can easily put it on and take it off while connected to any devices.

2. Use a Personal Blanket or Shawl

Many patients find comfort in bringing their own cozy blanket, shawl, or wrap from home. Look for materials like fleece or plush microfiber for maximum warmth without bulk. Some people opt for electric heated blankets like this one from Serta, but be sure these are permitted by the center before lugging one all the way there.

3. Bring Warm Socks or Slippers

Feet tend to get cold first. Pack a pair of slipper socks with grip bottoms (to prevent slipping on smooth floors) or soft, easy-on slippers.

4. Pack a Warm Hat or Headscarf

If you’ve lost hair due to treatment or simply want extra warmth, a soft beanie or scarf can help retain body heat.  Survivor owned, Chemo Beanies, designs comfy slip-on chemo head covers that feature a neck flap and offer a variety of stylish print, solid and ruffle options. 

5. Avoid Cold Food and Drinks

Opt for warm, soothing beverages like herbal tea or broth during long infusions. Cold drinks or icy treats can sometimes worsen cold sensitivity, particularly for chemotherapy patients.

6. Heated Accessories

If permitted, bring a small, portable heating pad or hand warmers. Always check with your care team first, as some facilities may restrict electric or battery-powered items.

My Final Thoughts

Though hospitals and treatment centers may feel uncomfortably cold to patients and visitors, those lower temperatures play an important role in infection control, staff comfort, and medical care. For patients — especially those undergoing chemotherapy — being proactive about dressing in warm, layered clothing and bringing comfort items can make a big difference in how tolerable those chilly environments feel.

If you’re heading to a treatment center soon, consider packing a small “comfort bag” with essentials like a blanket, warm socks, and a cozy wrap to help you stay as comfortable as possible.