Ice packs

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...

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.

Socks!! Genius!!

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

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.

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

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.

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!

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

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