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.
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
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.
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. ​
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.
MrNurse(x2), ADN
2,558 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.