Ice packs

Specialties School

Published

For those of you with ever dwindling ice pack supplies and have older students, I have found an excellent source of almost limitless ice packs. My wife works rehab and their meds are delivered in insulated foil packs with a small gel pack that stays frozen a long time, and these are all thrown away after the delivery. You could call a local nursing home or rehab facility and ask if they could keep some for you. I have a basket full of old, lonely socks I use as covers.

Flare, ASN, BSN

4,431 Posts

Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

i budget for reusables that do not leave the office without a darned good reason. But i like that idea too! Now to get in good with the local ltc...

kidzcare

3,393 Posts

For those of you with ever dwindling ice pack supplies and have older students, I have found an excellent source of almost limitless ice packs. My wife works rehab and their meds are delivered in insulated foil packs with a small gel pack that stays frozen a long time, and these are all thrown away after the delivery. You could call a local nursing home or rehab facility and ask if they could keep some for you. I have a basket full of old, lonely socks I use as covers.

I'm surprised that the LTC throws them out! I work at a SNF/LTC and we return those to pharmacy on their next delivery

MrNurse(x2), ADN

2,558 Posts

Specializes in IMC, school nursing.
I'm surprised that the LTC throws them out! I work at a SNF/LTC and we return those to pharmacy on their next delivery

My wife was amazed that they threw them out, she has started a trend, there are other employees asking for them for their lunchboxes, etc. My kids took the foil packs for Boy Scouts to reheat dehydrated bag meals in for backpacking.

SaltineQueen

913 Posts

Specializes in School Nurse, past Med Surge.

Socks!! Genius!!

Farawyn

12,646 Posts

I don't even order them. An ice machine is more cost effective.

Specializes in School nursing.
I don't even order them. An ice machine is more cost effective.

I wish I had a ice machine! I may look at my cost of ice pack vs. a very small ice machine and see if I can sneak one into next year's budget.

Flare, ASN, BSN

4,431 Posts

Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.
I don't even order them. An ice machine is more cost effective.

i loved my ice machine. it's a matter of space and outlets that keeps me from getting one here

MrNurse(x2), ADN

2,558 Posts

Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

I have a non existent budget. My PO pays for my bandaids,meds and ice packs. I felt guilty requesting documentation software, but felt the school and I needed the protection it offers. Even a portable ice machine at $130 and questionable day in day out reliability would be a lot to ask. So happy we found a free source. ​

ohiobobcat

887 Posts

Specializes in ED, School Nurse.

I have an ice machine as well. Love it!! No more treks all the way across the school and down a flight of steps to the athletic trainer's room to steal ice. I used to fill up wash basins with ice and then lug them all the way back to my office, then make ice bags. I couldn't always escape my office to get back down there to refill so I was turning kids away who needed ice. That's when I made the decision to get the countertop ice machine. I had to get creative with space (it sits on a 2 drawer filing cabinet that I got specifically for that purpose) and outlets (if the cord were 2 inches shorter I would be out of luck!) but it works.

I do have some instant ice packs that I keep in my jump bag and first aid kits.

NanaPoo

762 Posts

Specializes in School Nursing, Hospice,Med-Surg.

My clinic is across the hall from the lunchroom & its enormous ice machine. I fill up a beer cooler each morning & that usually gets me through a full school day.

But I like the gel pack idea! Very cool!

Flare, ASN, BSN

4,431 Posts

Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.
I fill up a beer cooler each morning & that usually gets me through a full school day.

But I like the gel pack idea! Very cool!

Yeah... me too, but my go to is usually wine :roflmao:

(i had to - it was right there waiting!1)

+ Add a Comment