Re: Hot Pack Covers

[Guest guest]

Kirk -

I just came across your post about hot pack covers in PT Manager.

Ironically, we just had an internal mock JC tracer survey, and were told

by a survey team member from Infection Prevention that we could not re-use

our hot pack covers and that having 6 - 8 layers of toweling between the

hot pack and the patient did not prevent " germs " from seeping through to

come in contact with the patient's skin!

We are hard put to come up with a solution. I have been a PT for a

looooooooooooong time and have never known of a patient becoming infected

from a hot pack treatment appropriately applied.

The question also came up about how and when are the hot pack covers

laundered.

Let me know if you have come up with any creative solutions, or if there

is anyone who has recently gone through a JC survey and experienced a

challenge to the hot pack covers!

Thanks,

Effie

Effie Elliott, PT, DPT

Director, Rehabilitation Services

Bayhealth Medical Center

(or 7096) Office Number

Pager Number

Fax Number

effie_elliott@...

" Next to doing a good job yourself, the greatest joy is in having someone

else do a first-class job under your direction. " Feather,

American author & publisher

[Guest guest]

I concur with Steve - ask for the research / data to prove such an statement.

If not, place plastic wrap between the 1st and 2nd towel to prevent the

" invasive and severely dangerous germs " from migrating. Any new research that I

am not aware of in regard to these " germs " and walking around " barefoot " ? Am I

in danger?

Sasha Digges, Jr. PT, ATC, CSCS

PEAK Physical Therapy

& Sports Rehabilitation

344 McLaws Circle

burg, VA. 23185

Phone:

Fax:

Website: www.ineedpeakpt.com

Twitter: SashaDiggesPT