The benefits of drinking water are well-documented and well-understood, though you could make the argument they’re not always considered and followed. Before we delve into drinking water in a healthcare setting, let’s take a step back and review what we all like know about water:
- Water helps to carry food and oxygen to our organs and cells.
- Water helps our bodies get rid of unwanted bacteria
- Water helps with digestion and waste removal.
- Water stabilizes our blood pressure
- It regulates our body temperatures
- It cushions our joints.
- And on
- And on
- And on
Now, if we can all recognize how important the consumption of water can be for normal, healthy humans, what about its importance in a hospital or clinic, or senior care center where patients or residents are in even greater need. Water is an absolutely critical component of recovery and wellness.
The next question becomes, how much water should one drink in a day? According to the study from Harvard University linked in the top paragraph of this article, the daily rule is four to six cups of water per day. That translates to between 32 and 48 fluid ounces each and every day. Keep in mind, though, that daily water consumption rates vary from person to person, and it’s always wise to consult a doctor to determine the right number.
Getting Water to Patients and Residents Quickly and Efficiently
There are two ways to get water to patients and residents. They can come to the water source, or healthcare foodservice operators can bring the water to them. Hydration carts and beverage service carts from Lakeside are an ideal way to help ensure hydration within the facility or community.
Hydration carts provide operators with the ability to bring hydrating beverages directly to patients or even to a particular part of a facility where water might be strategically placed. This is a great advantage that comes with mobile service that is durable and capable of covering a wide range of surfaces. In addition, hydration carts from Lakeside are also equipped with the ability to serve healthy snacks, making it even more useful
Beverage service carts provide similar capabilities as hydration carts. They’re created with stainless steel and laminate, and they allow operators to transport and serve both foods and beverages for a visually-appealing unit that can be loaded in the back-of-the-house for transport to patient rooms or other areas of a facility.