Does anyone know if there is a non-toxic product to add to Plasma Thawing Waterbath (I have a Helmer and I currently use Helmer Cleanbath) to keep it clean?  Does anyone skip using an additive in the bath water?  We are reviewing MSDS sheets and it is so toxic that we are supposed to wear PPE when handling it and I am thinking just to eliminate it. Thank you.

We just use distilled water and change it every week after wiping down the bath.

 

Scott

We do the same as Scott.

We still use Cleanbath.

Since I don't use much plasma, I only fill my Helmer bath when I am going to use it and then it is emptied.  Don't use cleanbath.

We use the Cleanbath in ours.

We don't use anything in ours.  Although we are a small 175 bed hospital, we do an inordinate amount of plasma exchanges here.  I'm talking 3-5/week with a minimum of 3 liters each!  With all that thawing, we are bound to have a unit break about every 10 days making us have to clean it out each time. 

For some reason, our Heme/Onc prefers FFP over albumin for all his TPE's, regardless of diagnosis. 

The solution you put in waterbeds also works and is less toxic.

We use an Algacide by Polyscience.

Tap water changed every week, no additives

Whatever you use, make sure you review the manufacturer's instructions.

Distilled water with an algicide.  Changed once a month or if there is a leak/contamination.

I did notice that Cleanbath is recommended for our Helmer thawer in the manual...

(Helmer CleanBath (400348-1) may be added to the water in the chamber to inhibit bacterial growth.)

s

We also use Helmer Cleanbath (and have for quite some time) and we thaw a lot of plasma daily. The water bath gets changed monthly and barring broken units leaking out of their cover bags it lasts well for the month.

Edited March 4, 20169 yr by Rapundaa
spelling

We used to change our water...never!  But then I read in the Helmer maintenance manual that it needs to be changed weekly, so that's what we do.  I've had some inspectors who really like to explore instrument manuals and don't want to get cited for this.

I still use Cleanbath here.

We're bad and still use thymol for our waterbaths

Still use Cleanbath and perform weekly cleaning of our Helmer waterbath.

We use Blue Magic waterbed conditioner.

we use weekly cleaning as per helmer and also use cleanbath... it is very expensive !

how often is the plasma thawer drained and cleaned? weekly or monthly?

Depends on the manufacturer's instructions.  My Helmer model says once a week, so we empty and clean it once a week  

We drain/clean our Helmer waterbath weekly per manufacturer's instructions and use Cleanbath. I wear a lab coat and gloves when I do it because I wear a lab coat and gloves when I do anything.