Author Archives: Brett F
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Nursing Schools and Their Biggest Challenge
Nursing schools face a host of challenges in today’s health-care environment. However, the biggest challenge is, without a doubt, preparing students to save lives. Embarking on a nursing career can be a steep learning curve. There is a lot to learn, from how to handle patients to how to carry out a range of procedures. A particularly tricky element of training involves learning how to use the equipment that students will encounter during practice. From electric lifts to bath transfer systems, students must use all specialized equipment in the correct way. After all, the safety of patients is at risk. Using Equipment in the Field Nursing schools are responsible for not only teaching nursing theory but also practical skills. Nursing is a very hands-on profession. Students must learn how to perform a host of procedures safely, from taking temperatures and blood pressures to giving injections. Nursing students must also learn how to move patients with limited mobility. Patients with Mobility Issues Many patients going through the health-care system suffer from a host of mobility problems. They struggle to walk, go to the bathroom by themselves, shower or bathe. It is part of a nurse’s responsibility to help them with these tasks. They can achieve this by using the latest hospital equipment designed to improve patients’ lives. While this cutting-edge equipment is essential and highly beneficial for patients, it can be complex to use. This means that nursing schools must prepare their students to use this equipment in the field. Trainee nurses must learn not only how to use the various pieces of equipment but must feel comfortable using it. It’s one thing to know how to operate an electric lift. However, the experience is very different when operating it with a patient. One of the major challenges facing nursing schools is providing student nurses with this practical experience. It can only be by practicing in a real-world health-care setting that students can familiarize themselves with standard equipment. Using Patient Mobility Equipment There are many types of patient lifts found in health-care settings today. From electric and manual lifts to heavy-duty models, nursing schools must prepare students to use them all. Bath safety equipment can be especially complex. Students must know how to help patients use a bath transfer bench and operate bath transfer systems. Even wheelchairs aren’t as simple as they might appear. Tilting, reclining, and standing wheelchairs all require specialist training to ensure safe operation. We supply a range of high-quality training equipment to make the task of nursing schools a lot simpler. Here are just some of our recommended products: 1) ShowerBuddy Showerbuddy is a unique system that eliminates one of the most backbreaking and stressful aspects of caregiving - shower time. This wheelchair a special ergonomically designed wheelchair with a built in a commode. The toilet docking frame (sold separately) fits around the base of most standard toilets and provides the Showerbuddy with a safe transfer from its standard base to the commode. Its brilliance lies in the simple and effortless transportation of the user straight into the restroom or shower unit. > Shop the Product 2) Hoyer Professional Advance-E Portable Electric Patient Lift The Hoyer Advance-E is compact, yet able to perform an outstanding range of transfers. Whether from the floor or onto a healthcare bed, the Advance-E Electric Lift copes with ease. The Advance E's unique tapered leg design allows the lift to get even closer to the widest of obstacles. This is especially useful when encountering large chairs, bulky commodes and wheelchairs. The tapered design also ensures that the resident feels safe and secure during the transfer. The Advance-E Patient Lift is compact, yet able to perform an outstanding range of transfers. > Shop the Product 3) Ultra Lightweight S-Ergo 115 Wheelchair The S-Shape Seating System offers many advantages over the standard manual wheelchair seat. Not only is pressure distributed more evenly across the legs and rear, it also offers a more stable seating surface and prevents forward slippage. The world’s first S-Shaped ergonomic seating developed specifically for comfort and ergonomics. With over 22 patents and launched as a Global Product, this unique product is capable of relieving pressure, reducing sliding and promoting good posture. All of our S-ERGO frames are CRASH TESTED. This challenge was met with Ultralight Weight, Ergonomics, Comfort, and Safety in mind and with an end product setting the bar for the highest of quality possible. Learn more optional cushions treated by AEIGIS® providing an anti-microbial coated seating system. > Shop the Product 4) Poly-Fly The Poly-Fly transport wheelchair from Drive Medical can be used as both a transport wheelchair and a standard wheelchair. With a push of the quick-release axles, the full-sized 24" wheels can easily be removed to transform the chair into a transport chair with 8" wheels. > Shop the Product 5) BestStand SA500 Stand-Up Patient The BestStand Series of sit-to-stand patient lifts provide a solution for patient transfers between bed, chair or commode. The BestStand Series of patient lifts reduces injury risk associated with antiquated manual patient lifting practices. Competitively priced and combined with a unique design, the BestStand Series of sit-to-stand patient lifts provide a new level of comfort and safety. The BestStand lift has set the standard for value for both residential and facility use. > Shop the Product -
Top Medical Device Companies Serving Special Education Programs
Are you a special education professional who is looking to better serve your students? We know that finding the right supplies can be a daunting task, so we have compiled a list of the top medical device companies serving special education programs to help you along. When looking for the right supplies you might run into a few challenges. You might not know what your students will need or even respond positively to. We understand that you work very hard to ensure your classrooms are inclusive so every student makes strides to develop and grow throughout the school year. In order to find the right supplies make sure you are aware of what it is your students will need. Take the time to understand their lifestyle and what makes them who they are. Once you know this valuable information you are on your way to making a huge impact on their academic and personal life. Here are the top medical device companies serving special education programs: Amica Amica Medical Supplies has various different products you can choose from when looking for special education supplies. They offer convenience and a selection that can help your students maintain a healthy lifestyle. Their expertise is mainly in mobility, which allows your students to be more independent. As a top medical supply company, they strive to provide the highest quality of products at a reasonable price. Check out a few of there products at the end of this blog post. eSpecial Needs eSpecial Needs is your number one source for adaptive equipment and special needs products when it comes to specific sensory needs. They are dedicated to providing their clients with the highest quality of adaptive equipment and therapy solutions for children that can be used at school and home. All of their products have been tested for performance and value, so you can trust you’re receiving the best devices. FlagHouse FlagHouse is a premier source of quality equipment serving physical education, recreation, special needs therapies, and education. They provide helpful resources that enable physical activity for everyone regardless of their age or ability. At FlagHouse, they understand that when you buy from them that you are fulfilling your commitment to make meaningful impressions on real peoples lives. It is so important to allow students to express themselves any way they can. Having tools to help physical education for special needs individuals will help with their individual development. Special Needs Computers Special Needs Computers provides the latest solutions in computer ergonomics and assistive technology. They mainly focus on the use of technology to overcome the barriers to one’s quality of life. They have unique furniture, hearing, speech, vision, and mobility products to assist individuals with special needs. When you purchase from Special Needs they offer consultation, training and after-sales support based on your needs. As a special education professional, It is important to invest not only in the products you provide to your students but also the students themselves. With many devices that help the development of your students’ academic and personal skills, it is easy to understand why this is a huge investment. Amica Medical Supplies Top Medical Devices 1) Drive Kanga Tilt in Space Wheelchair Drive Medical's Kanga TS is a fully configured pediatric tilt chair that only requires you to select the correct seat width. It has a depth adjustable seat, five-point harness, depth adjustable abductor, hip guides, lateral supports, and curved headrest as standard features. > Shop the Product 2) Moxie GT Gait Trainer The Moxie offers an adjustable height in 1" increments and can be used in both anterior and posterior positions. Its directional lever allows for both forward and reverses mobility, or forward mobility only. > Shop the Product 3) Hoyer Professional Advance-E Portable Electric Patient Lift he Hoyer Advance-E is compact, yet able to perform an outstanding range of transfers. Whether from the floor or onto a healthcare bed, the Advance-E Electric Lift copes with ease. The Advance E's unique tapered leg design allows the lift to get even closer to the widest of obstacles. This is especially useful when encountering large chairs, bulky commodes and wheelchairs. The tapered design also ensures that the resident feels safe and secure during the transfer. The Advance-E Patient Lift is compact, yet able to perform an outstanding range of transfers. > Shop the Product 4) Poly-Fly The Poly-Fly transport wheelchair from Drive Medical can be used as both a transport wheelchair and a standard wheelchair. With a push of the quick-release axles, the full-sized 24" wheels can easily be removed to transform the chair into a transport chair with 8" wheels. > Shop the Product 4) BestStand SA500 Stand-Up Patient The BestStand Series of sit-to-stand patient lifts provide a solution for patient transfers between bed, chair or commode. The BestStand Series of patient lifts reduces injury risk associated with antiquated manual patient lifting practices. Competitively priced and combined with a unique design, the BestStand Series of sit-to-stand patient lifts provide a new level of comfort and safety. The BestStand lift has set the standard for value for both residential and facility use. > Shop the Product -
What A Medical Supply Store Should Have
When it comes to healthcare design, accessibility should always be the #1 focus. In order for patients to lead healthy lives, it is important to minimum the obstacles standing in their way. Upon first thought, price seems to be the biggest obstacle for most- but this isn’t the case for bariatric patients! Unfortunately, bariatric patients often have the most difficulty finding medical supply stores that offer products catered to them. This includes lifts, slings, mattresses, and other supplies that are capable of supporting their weight. At the end of the day, we believe the requirement every medical supply store should follow is simple. Offer medical supplies fit for everyone! Demand From Healthcare Facilities Ultimately, healthcare facilities should be able to treat anyone who walks through their doors. Regardless of their condition, weight, or any other variable, they should have the tools on hand to treat even the most uncommon cases. Unfortunately, cases involving bariatric patients are no longer rare- and haven't been for the last two decades. In fact from 1999 to 2016, obesity rates in adults climbed from 30.5% to 39.6%. To put those numbers in perspective, that indicates that 93 million Americans are obese! This is a shocking statistic that contributes heavily to the argument for accessibility. With almost half the population needing specialized medical devices, it is a no brainer as to why all medical supply stores should carry such products. If clinics, hospitals, or other care facilities don’t have the lifts and slings necessary to transport these patients, it will make caregiving nearly impossible. Demand From Residential Customers As many know, medical devices are no longer just needed in healthcare facilities. With more and more individuals opting for home based care, these devices are now needed in people's homes! With access to these products, these individuals have no choice but to enter nursing homes. This is unacceptable! All individuals should have the choice to live a life in the manner they choose. By giving them and their caregivers access to this equipment, medical supply stores can greatly change their lives. All in all, it is important to take note of the changing environment in healthcare. If not, healthcare facilities will fall behind the curve- leaving them unable to care for almost half the population. By recognizing the changing demographic and making care more accessible, patients will be able to live healthier lives! Bariatric Medicals Supplies 1) BestLift PL600E Electric Lift The BestLift PL600 full body patient lift is a cost effective solution for safe patient transfers in a professional care environment, or at home. Its base easily opens to increase stability during operation. Moreover, its legs can then be closed to transport the patient through doorways and other spaces. This lift has a 6-point spreader bar to accommodate a wide variety of full body slings. Furthermore, this lift is compatible with most 4-point and 6-point slings on the market. >> Shop The Product 2) Drive Bariatric Battery Powered Patient Lift The Drive Medical Bariatric Electric Patient Lift 13244 has a load capacity of 650 lbs and comes with a free padded U-sling. In addition, its on-board charger can be charged from any AC outlet. This electric lift is heavy duty while being economical and is ideal for home use! >> Shop The Product 3) Bariatric Steel Transport Drive Medical's heavy-duty bariatric steel transport chair can support individuals up to 450 lbs! In addition to its sleek design, it has a reinforced dual crossbrace steel frame and heavy-duty nylon upholstery. Most importantly, it is affordable! >> Shop The Product 4) Sleep Zzz Bariatric Adjustable Bed Sleep-Ezz's Deluxe Bariatric Queen Adjustable bed is the top of the line Matress foundation for bariatric patients. It gives an excellent value with features of much more expensive beds! The best part? It is fit for patients up to 600 lbs. >> Shop The Product 5) Medline Full Body Sling Designed with comfort and safety in mind, these slings feature a unique, fully padded fabric that forms a soft yet supportive surface. The full-body slings have four point hookup. Full body slings have the primary advantage of fewer loops to connect to the cradle, as well as versatility to be used with either 4 or 6 point lift cradles. >> Shop The Product -
Home Health Care Professionals Weigh In
Because healthcare providers often place the health of others before their own, they end up paying the price. That price being astronomical rates of injury. According to OSHA, the healthcare industry reports more injury and illness cases than any other private industry sector. 653,900 cases to be precise. That is 152,000 more cases than the next highest reported sector! With that being said, home health care professionals face a 50% higher injury and illness rate that that of their hospital staff counterparts. This is mainly due to improper patient transfers, outdated medical devices, and overexertion. In order to determine which safety measures are the most valuable, we went to the professionals. Keep reading to see what 3 home healthcare professionals had to say about how caregivers can avoid injury and illness. “If a client can’t partially support his or her own weight, it is not safe to lift or transfer the client yourself.” Although this seems like a basic piece of advice, it is extremely valuable! In fact, it is a key piece of advice all CDC training programs stress as well. With back injuries being the most prominent in this sector, we investigated how it can be avoided. The most simple way, we found, is to utilize the appropriate body mechanics during transfers. Given you are familiar with ergonomic principles, this approach is best for clients who can partially or fully support their body weight. If this isn’t the case, utilize electric hoists and slings when moving the patient. This way, both parties can avoid injury and make difficult transfer just a tad easier! “Always be aware of your surroundings. Even the smallest hazards can result in injury.” An individual's home always has more hazards than in a hospital or care facility. Major risks caregivers should watch out for are stray wires, uneven flooring, or even pets! Before performing any transfers, scan your surroundings. This way, one can account for all unsafe variables present. Another great tip is to always wear shoes! This can protect one from slipping, stubbing their toe, or even stepping on sharp objects. It is a great precaution to take, given that caregivers are on their feet all day. “Take all necessary precautions to avoid bloodborne pathogens.” Since home health professionals often handle and dispose of bodily fluids, they face a high risk of infection. All the more reason to follow all disposal standards! For example, caregivers should be dressed in the appropriate clothing and use protective equipment when handling such fluids. Equipment that should be readily available are: gloves, googles, face shields, and etc. Overlooking the importance of such equipment can result in caregivers being exposed to bloodborne pathogens and contracting bacterial or viral infections. These are just three pieces of advice from experienced home health professionals! Of course there are many other ways caregivers can avoid injury or illness throughout their work, these methods are the easiest to implement. All in all, it is important to always use ergonomic principles, account for small hazards, and avoid bloodborne pathogens. By doing so, caregivers can avoid injury and continue to provide excellent care to their clients. Medical Supplies Home Health Care Professionals Recommend 1) Hoyer Professional Advance-E Portable Lift The Hoyer Advance-E is compact, yet able to perform an outstanding range of transfers. Whether from the floor or onto a healthcare bed, the Advance-E Electric Lift copes with ease. The Advance E's unique tapered leg design allows the lift to get even closer to the widest of obstacles. This is especially useful when encountering large chairs, bulky commodes and wheelchairs. The tapered design also ensures that the resident feels safe and secure during the transfer. >> Shop The Product 2) Hoyer Basic U-Sling The Hoyer basic 4-Pt Sling used for basic patient lifting and works with any patient lift requiring a 4-Pt. connection. It is made from a Nylon Mesh fabric is fast draining and drying for use while bathing. >> Shop The Product 3) Hoyer Full Body Sling with Positioning Strap The Hoyer One Piece Sling with Positioning Strap provides easy position adjustment of patient. Durable polyester with closed-cell foam padding enhances user comfort. >> Shop The Product 4) Bellavita Auto Bath Lifter The Bellavita is Drive's ultra modern automatic bathlift. It is also the lighttest, weighing only 20.5 lbs. Lowers to a minimum of 2.3", and raises to a maximum height of 18.8". The backrest reclines to a market leading 50 degrees. This model comes ready to use, with tool-free set up. TThe easy to use quick charge lithium-ion battery is accommodated in the Hand Control. >> Shop The Product 5) Lavin Lift Straps Lavin Lift Straps are an accessory that works with a standard patient lift. They allow one caregiver the ability to safely suspend the lower portion of the patient’s body. This process eliminates the need for caregiver lifting and the need for additional assistance >> Shop The Product -
Special Education Supplies You Need In 2019
In order for students to succeed, they need access to a variety of tools. This is especially true for special education students. Regardless of whether they suffer from a physical disability or learning disorder, it is important that these students have access to certain special education supplies. Without them, it is likely that they will not be able to perform well in school or make friends with their peers. Both academic and interpersonal skills are instrumental for children to succeed, and special education supplies facilitate the development of both. How can they achieve both of these results? Keep reading to find out! Academic Skills A niche category of special education supplies, referred to as assistive technology, can have a massive difference in the classroom. Often times, these tools solve problems that education administrators overlook. For example a lack of upper body mobility may result in a student not being able to write, control a control traditionally, or use a calculator. But with the help of assistive technology devices like talk to text programs, these challenges can be easily overcome. Moreover, there are many special education supplies that assist students with learning disabilities such as: dyslexia, ADHD, and etc. Because reading is a major problem for many, digital texts or audiobooks may be a great option! This gives students a way to absorb the knowledge in books without the difficulty associated with analyzing the paper text. As can be seen from these examples, special education supplies greatly help students better their academic skills! Interpersonal Communication Skills Often times, special education students face a lot of stress when it comes to school. They may feel like they don’t “fit in” with the other kids because of their mobility or learning disorders. Simple things like recess may cause them anxiety, especially if they are not able to communicate and play with their peers. Fortunately, many special education supplies help students tackle these issues head on. Medical supplies like wheelchairs, scooters, or powerchairs can break down the boundaries students with mobility issues may feel. They allow students to play with their classmates and explore the world around them! In addition to these devices, daily living aids can help better childrens’ day to day life. Items as simple as exercise bands, hand held reachers, or specialized eating utensils can help them be and feel more independent. With this comes confidence that will radiate to all their peers! All in all, there are many special education supplies that can benefit the students in your program. With many devices that help the development of both academic and interpersonal communication skills, it is easy to see why many schools are allocating a portion of their budget to investing in them! Special Education Supplies You Need In 2019 1) 9000 Jymni Wheelchair This affordable wheelchair is a great option for young students! Because this chair is specifically designed to suit the needs of your smaller patients, it offers features like a durable carbon-steel frame and easy adjustability. Moreover, the chair also has an adjustable angled back and adjustable front riggings. >> Shop The Product 2) Tweener Pediatric Folding Walker This pediatric walking aid features grow-with-you height adjustability! It has a design that meet everyones needs, even the smallest child. Moreover, it feature handles that adjust without tools and an extra wide base for maximum stability, safety and balance. Not to mention it's lightweight, aluminum "A" frame design to provide greater balance, and comfortable vinyl hand grips! >> Shop The Product 3) Manual Stand Assist The STA182 by Medline is a manual stand assist and transfer device, that provides an affordable alternative to battery powered stand assist lifts. This device encourages patient participation by requiring them to use their own strength for balance. In order to use it, the patient must have weight bearing capacity. Furthermore, they must be able to stand-up on their own using the middle bar for assistance. >> Shop The Product 4) Hand-Held Reacher With a lightweight aluminum frame, this reacher helps to eliminate bending and stretching. Only 7 ounces of pressure required at trigger to close jaws. Moreover, the folding model folds flat for more convenient storage. >> Shop The Product 5) EZ-Access Folding Ramp From the leader in powered mobility auto lifts comes a world-class series of portable ramps designed for ease of use. This portable ramp, with its single-fold design, sets up quickly and is ideal for scooters and wheelchairs. Furthermore, these quality ramps come with extruded slip-resistant tread. This makes them built to traverse steps, curbs and other unkind elevation changes. >> Shop The Product