Applying an Ice Bag

Material needed:

• Ice bag
• Crushed ice
• Paper
• Soft cloth or towel
• Pencil

Procedure:

1. Explain what you are going to do
2. Wash your hands
3. Obtain material listed above
4. Provide privacy (close door, pull curtains)
5. Fill ice bag with water. Secure with stopper. Turn bag upside down to check for leaks
6. Remove stopper and empty bag
7. Crush the ice and fill bag half full
8. Lay flat to remove air. Place stopper in bag while it is still flat
9. Cover bag with soft cloth or towel and apply to client's affected area
10. Write on paper the time bag was applied
11. Add ice as bag warms. Change towel if it becomes moist
12. Check client's skin every 10 minutes for danger signs (discoloration, numbness, pain)
13. Remove bag according to time required. Write down time of removal
14. Remove stopper, empty bag, and place bag upside down to dry. Place cloth or towel in laundry container to be washed
15. Wash your hands
16. Record what you have done. Report any abnormal conditions to the nurse or a family member
17. When bag is dry, blow air into it and replace stopper to prevent insides of bag from sticking together. Store in proper location