How to Safely Warm Ultrasound Gel
In a previous blog, we discussed how warming ultrasound gel should be the standard of care for patients. If you haven’t read that post, we recommend you go back and read it. In it, we discuss topics such as making patients more comfortable during an ultrasound and reduce their anxiety. But, what we didn’t discuss is how to safely warm the ultrasound gel.
In the medical industry, using warmed products always presents inherent risks associated with heat. When improperly warming the ultrasound gel, a variety of problems may occur, including (but not limited to):
- Electrical damage or fire
- Burns related to the product being warmed too much
- Bacterial growth from a warm environment
- Touch burns
- Spills resulting in damage to the surrounding area
Warm Ultrasound Gel the Right Way
There are a variety of methods that have been used to warm medical products including placing the product on a hot plate, microwaving, placing in an incubator, manual friction, or laying the product on a radiator. We hope that you can see the obvious safety risks associated with these tactics. Not only are these warming methods not designed to warm products such as ultrasound gel or IV fluids, but it can also be incredibly dangerous. If the heating element is too warm, it can easily melt the product packaging or overheat the product itself. Additionally, depending on the method used, the warm product can damage the heating element, or worse, cause the heating element to malfunction and cause larger problems.
Medical products of any sort should never be subjected to any of the heating methods previously mentioned. You should always reference the product’s instructions for use and recommendations for safety information.
Questions?
Safely heat your ultrasound gel.
Once you have consulted your product’s instructions for use, you’ll find there are a few recommendations to safely heat your ultrasound gel. Follow these safety tips.
- Only use a warmer that is licensed for the product.
- Use a warmer that has adjustable controls and safety features.
- Use a warmer that prevents thermal cutoff to prevent overheating.
- Use a gel warmer only as recommended by the instructions for use.
Acclimate® Gel Warmer for EcoVue® Ultrasound Gel
EcoVue Ultrasound Gel is a superior ultrasound gel that is available in a variety of single and multi-use options. The Acclimate Ultrasound Gel Warmer is made specifically for EcoVue Ultrasound Gel but can hold any product.
The Acclimate is equipped with easy button controls and a safety door to keep the product tucked safely inside without accumulating dust or bacteria. The Acclimate Ultrasound Gel Warmer is available in three models – single-use packets, multi-use bottles, and FlexPac®. The LCD digital display allows sonographers to monitor and regulate the temperature (95°F – 105°F).
When you need a gel designed with patient needs in mind, the choice is clear with EcoVue. And, paired with the Acclimate Ultrasound Gel Warmer, they are the perfect pair for all ultrasound rooms! If you are interested in keeping your ultrasound gel warm to improve patient satisfaction, do so safely with Acclimate.
