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Description
Hydra+ Thickened Milk IDDSI 3 from HYDRA+ is a pre-thickened beverage formulated for individuals with dysphagia. This 2% partly skimmed milk offers a classic milk taste and consistent IDDSI Level 3 (moderately thick) texture, designed to support safer swallowing and hydration for patients in Canadian healthcare settings.
BEST FOR: Dysphagia patient hydration, Texture-modified diets, Post-stroke rehabilitation nutrition, Long-term care facility beverage service, Hospital patient care, Home care swallowing support
CLINICAL NOTE: When serving Hydra+ Thickened Milk, ensure it is thoroughly chilled if preferred cold. While shelf-stable, a consistent cold temperature improves palatability for many patients, especially when served as a standalone beverage. Always check the carton's 'best before' date upon receipt and before opening.
Why It Works
- Consistent IDDSI Level 3: Hydra+ Thickened Milk is pre-thickened to IDDSI Level 3 (moderately thick). This eliminates manual preparation variability, ensuring consistent viscosity for patient safety and compliance with Canadian dysphagia management protocols.
- Palatable Classic Milk Taste: Made from 2% partly skimmed milk, this thickened beverage retains the familiar taste of regular milk. This helps improve patient acceptance and hydration compliance, especially important for dysphagia patients.
- Convenient Shelf-Stable Format: Packaged in 1L Tetra Paks, Hydra+ Thickened Milk is shelf-stable for 12 months. This reduces waste and simplifies inventory management for healthcare facilities and home care providers.
- Reduces Preparation Time: As a ready-to-drink solution, Hydra+ Thickened Milk removes the need for staff to manually thicken liquids. This frees up valuable time for direct patient care and reduces the risk of preparation errors.
Clinical Applications
- Daily Hydration for Dysphagia Patients: Serve Hydra+ Thickened Milk directly from the carton as a primary hydration source for patients requiring IDDSI Level 3 liquids.
- Mealtime Beverage Service: Offer Hydra+ Thickened Milk alongside meals in rehabilitation centers and long-term care facilities to ensure adequate fluid intake for individuals with swallowing difficulties.
- Medication Administration Vehicle: Use a small amount of Hydra+ Thickened Milk to assist with swallowing certain medications, ensuring the required IDDSI consistency is maintained.
- Nutritional Supplement Base: Incorporate Hydra+ Thickened Milk into pureed meals or other texture-modified food preparations to add moisture and nutritional value while maintaining IDDSI Level 3.
- Post-Stroke Rehabilitation: Provide Hydra+ Thickened Milk to patients recovering from stroke who have been assessed as requiring moderately thick liquids, supporting their recovery and preventing aspiration.
- Home Care Support: Supply 1L Tetra Paks to home care patients and caregivers for convenient, consistent, and safe thickened liquid provision in a home setting.
Revenue Opportunity: For rehabilitation centers, utilizing pre-thickened Hydra+ Milk eliminates staff time spent on manual thickening, reducing labour costs and ensuring consistent IDDSI compliance across all shifts. This efficiency allows reallocation of staff resources to direct patient care.
Product Specifications
- Brand: HYDRA+
- Flavour/Profile: Classic milk taste
- Texture/Format: IDDSI Level 3 (moderately thick), consistent, smooth
- Key Ingredients/Materials: 2% partly skimmed milk
- Allergens: Check label for allergen information
- Storage: Shelf-stable for 12 months. Refrigerate after opening.
- Shelf Life: 12 months (shelf-stable)
- Recommended Usage: Serve directly from the carton, chilled or at room temperature. Can be used with meals or as a standalone hydration source.
- Volume per carton: 1L / 33.8 oz
- Cartons per case: 12
- Materials: Tetra Pak packaging, 2% partly skimmed milk
Storage & Handling
Hydra+ Thickened Milk IDDSI 3 is shelf-stable for 12 months when unopened. Store cases in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Once a 1L Tetra Pak is opened, it must be refrigerated promptly and consumed within 2-3 days to maintain freshness and safety. Do not freeze this product.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has anyone used Hydra+ Thickened Milk IDDSI 3 in a busy hospital ward? How does it hold up for consistency and patient acceptance?
We've been using Hydra+ IDDSI 3 for months on our stroke rehab unit. Consistency is solid, always IDDSI Level 3, which is critical for safety. Patient acceptance is generally good because it tastes like regular milk. Staff appreciate not having to manually thicken.
For home care, what's the best way to manage the 1L cartons of Hydra+ Thickened Milk after opening? Does it spoil quickly?
Once you open a 1L carton of Hydra+ Thickened Milk, refrigerate it immediately. It's best to use it within 2-3 days. We advise caregivers to mark the opening date on the carton with a marker to keep track. Don't leave it out at room temp for long.
We're considering switching to Hydra+ for our long-term care facility. Any issues with the Tetra Pak packaging? Are they easy for residents or staff to open?
The Tetra Paks are generally easy to open, even for staff with gloves. They have a screw cap. Some residents might need assistance, especially if they have dexterity issues, but it's less fiddly than some other packaging. The 1L size is manageable for pouring.
Does Hydra+ Thickened Milk IDDSI 3 work well if you want to add flavourings, like a little chocolate syrup, for patients who refuse plain milk?
Yes, you can add flavourings like chocolate or strawberry syrup to Hydra+ Thickened Milk. It maintains its IDDSI Level 3 consistency well, even with a small addition. Just ensure the added syrup doesn't significantly alter the viscosity or create lumps. Mix thoroughly.
Our provincial health authority is emphasizing IDDSI compliance. How reliable is Hydra+ for meeting Level 3 without extra checks?
Hydra+ is specifically formulated and tested to meet IDDSI Level 3. It's pre-thickened, so the consistency is guaranteed from the factory. This significantly reduces the need for bedside IDDSI testing, saving staff time and ensuring compliance across the board.
Any tips for storing bulk cases of Hydra+ Thickened Milk in a smaller clinic or home setting? The 12-pack is convenient but takes up space.
For smaller settings, store the unopened 12-pack cases of Hydra+ Thickened Milk in a cool, dry pantry or storage area. Since it's shelf-stable for 12 months, you don't need fridge space until a carton is opened. Rotate stock to use older cases first.
Can Hydra+ Thickened Milk be used as a base for pureed meals or other food preparations for dysphagia patients, or is it strictly for drinking?
While primarily a beverage, Hydra+ Thickened Milk can be incorporated into pureed meals or other food preparations where a moderately thick liquid is required. It can add moisture and nutritional value without compromising the IDDSI Level 3 consistency of the overall dish. Test the final product's viscosity.
We have patients who are very sensitive to taste changes. How close is Hydra+ Thickened Milk's taste to regular 2% milk?
Hydra+ Thickened Milk is made with 2% partly skimmed milk, so the taste is very similar to regular 2% milk. Most patients find it palatable, which is a major advantage for compliance. It avoids the 'starchy' or 'off' flavours sometimes associated with manually thickened liquids.
What is the primary benefit of Hydra+ Thickened Milk for dysphagia patients?
The primary benefit is safer swallowing and consistent hydration. Hydra+ Thickened Milk is pre-thickened to IDDSI Level 3 (moderately thick), which helps reduce the risk of aspiration for individuals with dysphagia, ensuring they receive adequate fluids and nutrition without the variability of manual thickening.
How does Hydra+ Thickened Milk ensure consistent IDDSI Level 3 texture?
Hydra+ Thickened Milk is manufactured to precise specifications, guaranteeing a consistent IDDSI Level 3 (moderately thick) texture in every carton. This eliminates the need for manual mixing, which often leads to inconsistencies in viscosity and potential safety concerns for patients.