Control and operation
HICO-VARIOTHERM 550
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6.2.6 Handling water pads
► Avoid contact with hot, sharp and pointed objects.
► When disconnecting water pads from the switched off unit,
the pad should be lower than the unit. This prevents backflow
and the pads stay sufficiently filled with sterile filtered tap
water for the next use.
► Water pads connected to the unit should never be stored at a
higher level than the unit, e.g. not on top of the unit. The
sterile filtered tap water will in such cases flow from the pad
back into the unit and flow over.
► Water pads should be stored rolled up whenever possible.
Creases and kinks can damage the material.
► Avoid direct sunlight. Heat and UV rays cause material
damage.
6.2.7 Usage of water pads
The water pads can be laid horizontally and be used both as an
underlay and as a cover underneath and over the patient. It is
also possible, if necessary, to use smaller pads and blankets as
a wrap. It is important to ensure a crease and buckle-free routing
of the pad and the hoses so that the water flow is not affected or
caused by the pads not unnecessary pressure points on the
patient. Pay attention to the largest possible surface contact with
the patient, given the particular pad size. The use of a thin fleece
as an intermediate layer is recommended. Direct skin contact
with the pad which is made of plastic can lead to skin damage
and increases the risk of bedsore. Also, pay attention to crease-
free installation of the support pad.
External conditions and pad size influence the desired nominal
value; e.g. very high or low nominal values probably may not be
reached and/or when connecting a large pad. After
commissioning the unit, observe the nominal and actual
temperature differences and in this case set a lower or higher
nominal value after approx. 45-40 min after operation,
corresponding to the actual value on the unit.
