Keep Your Hot Packs Healthy
Almost all clinics have a hot pack tank and they are almost always the most neglected piece of equipment in a clinic. Don’t let that be you!
Chattanooga Hydrocollator
Here are some facts that you might not know
What temperature should my tank be kept at? Between 150 and 170 degrees. At 190 deg. F most units will shut off for safety reasons. Test your temperature once a month with a meat thermometer.
What happens if the tank isn’t at the right temperature? If it is too low your tank will grow bacteria. If you start to see black speckles on your hot packs you are growing bacteria in the packs.
This can lead to several scenarios :
1] the packs swell and the seams start to break or the fabric breaks and you have Bentonite mud in your tank.
2] you develop off odors in the water [ sometimes it smells fishy]
3] the water will discolor
In case of an infection, you should consider throwing your packs away, bleaching your tank and starting again.
How often should I change the water in the tank? We recommend that you do a full water change once a week. Hydrocollators can build up clay at the bottom of the tanks. If the heating element is blocked your tank won’t heat up properly. This also shows that you did not clean your tank regularly
What happens if my hot packs dry up? If they get completely dry from being left outside the tank for too long you should throw them out. The clay gets hard and can’t be re-hydrated to their former consistency. If you need to store the packs outside the tank for a prolonged period, put the packs into the freezer and they will re-hydrate properly when thawed.
If your tank dies or needs repair, this is also the safest way to keep your packs intact.
Fun fact: If you buy your hydrocollator from HealthMed we have loaners in stock that we’re happy to lend you free of charge. We love helping out when you’re in need.
Our Favourite Treatment Table Styles
