WATER BATH

Typical Number in Hospital: 50

Cost Bands: 2

References:

This is usually a small steel bath filled with water which is heated by an electric element controlled by a temperature sensor in the water and usually having a motor-driven stirrer to ensure even temperature distribution throughout the water. These are used to provide controlled temperature for chemical reactions in test tubes or flasks partially immersed in the water, or for heating blood or other fluids (e.g. peritoneal dialysis fluids) which are to be passed into the body. They are also used as caloric tanks for feeding water of a known temperature into the ear during vestibulometric tests. Because of the presence of water, the electrical requirements of such devices are more stringent than normal and an overtemperature cut-out is also required in case of failure of the primary control mechanism.