Re: Warming of heatpacks

[Gerald Cha]

Hi Carien,
Rather than looking to reheating heatpacks (and their associated IC concerns amongst other potential risks), you may wish to review a heat pack called Hotteeze which may suit your facility’s requirements (http://www.hotteeze.com/)
Their benefits include:
1) single use (which covers the Infection Control concerns);
2) do not require an external source for heat generation (chemical reaction through oxidization generates the heat so no need for popping them into microwave ovens);
3) heat up to a relatively safe temperature (thus no OSH issues or patient burns risk… however, any heat-pad when left on for too long would obviously pose a burns risk due to the accumulated heat and you’ll still require guidelines to ensure that they’re not left on for prolonged periods);
4) can be disposed off safely as they’re primarily iron fillings (thus covering any environmental concerns)
They obviously all come at a price (above the cost of re-heatable packs) but when weighed against the potential risks involved, I think that they’re a good alternative.
Hope that helps.
Regards,
Gerald

Gerald Chan
Coordinator Infection Control

St John of God Murdoch Hospital
100 Murdoch Drive
MURDOCH. WA 6150

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>>> “Wellington, Bronwyn” 18/10/2012 9:06 AM >>>

Hi Carolyn
Where do you source the heat packs that crush and heat up? We are looking at removing the gel heat packs.
Regards

Bronwyn Wellington I Quality and Infection Control Coordinator
Quality and Infection Control I Glengarry Private Hospital
53 Arnisdale Road
Duncraig WA 6023

Ramsay Health Care is an environmentally responsible corporation, please consider the environment before printing this email.

Hi Carien,
We have moved from dedicated microwaves for heat packs to only using the gel packs which are crushed and heat up. Heatpacks became a safety issue with burns and the gel packs only heat to a certain temperature.

With best regards
Carolyn Chenoweth
National Quality Coordinator
NephroCare

Fresenius Medical Care Australia Pty Ltd.
Payneham Dialysis Clinic, 2 Portrush Road,
PAYNEHAM
SA 5070 Adelaide
Australia
T: +61 8 8165 4313
F: +61 8 8336 4833
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Sent by: ACIPC Infexion Connexion

Hi everyone,

What is your practices regarding heating of heatpacks in microwaves. Do you use dedicated microwaves for this purpose? If it is being shared with patients to warm up their home meals any practices you encourage?

Thanks,
Carien

Carien Coleman | Infection Control CNC
The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital
Syd Lingard Drive | BUDERIM QLD 4556
PO Box 5050 | Maroochydore BC QLD 4558
T: (07) 5430 3245 | F: (07) 5430 3375
E: carien.coleman@uchealth.com.au

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