Medical Equipment Blog


What features are important on a home treadmill?

Monday, August 31, 2009

Looking for specific features on a standard home treadmill is important so that you know you are comparing the same factors on different models. Buying the first treadmill you see may not be the best option, nor is buying the one that is on sale, unless it has the standard features and safety options that you want to have. One of the key elements is the type of deck that the home treadmill offers. There are standard decks and low impact decks, with the low impact deck preferred by most people for a variety of reasons. For people that use the treadmill a lot, the low impact deck absorbs the shock of each foot strike, minimizing issues with shin splints and other foot related impact problems. Standard motors that have a specified continuous duty output are essential. If the home treadmill doesn't have this information the motor may not have a continuous running output, meaning it will slow down and speed up, regardless of the specific pace you have set. Not only does this effect your workout, but over time these types of motors are more likely to have serious and costly mechanical problems. Are there options on different models of home treadmills? There are several different options on various models of home treadmills that can make your workout experience much more pleasant and enjoyable. The more comfortable the treadmill is the more likely you are to use it, getting in lots of miles to help in your weight loss or cardiovascular fitness goals. Some of the features on the newer models of home treadmills include magazine holding racks with Plexiglass page stops to keep the magazine firmly in place over the digital readout panel. Other options include ledges for books and novels, or even headphone jacks and holders for your portable MP3 player or portable disk player. Water bottle holders are also a great additional feature as staying hydrated when you exercise is crucial. Home treadmills take up so much room, are there any smaller models on the market? Most home treadmills are fairly standard in size with dimensions of about 81 inches long and at least 32 or more inches wide. Although this is a fairly standard measurement, there are smaller and large models available. If you don't want to have a huge treadmill in the middle of your room, there are options for fold up home treadmill systems. These treadmills fold up into an upright position for easy storage against a wall or in a full length closet. Generally these types of home treadmills are on castors or wheels are relatively lightweight and easy for one person to manage. Another option may be to consider one of the sport style of home treadmills, which tend to be more streamlined and less bulky in appearance than the typical home models. These slightly smaller framed models are not necessarily going to be smaller in actual measurements, but they don't appear as large in a room and the more solidly constructed models.

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How safe and practical are glass display cabinets in medical facilities?

Friday, August 28, 2009

Glass display cabinets are ideal for medical facilities including exam rooms, patient care rooms and even doctor's offices and storage rooms. In most cases and in virtually all new glass display cabinets the transparent surface area or windows are not actually glass, rather they are made of durable, unbreakable acrylic. This makes them a perfect choice for any area of a health care facility.
The obvious practical aspect of glass display cabinets is that viewing into the cabinet is simple, without having to open doors. This can dramatically save time as well as wear and tear on cabinets, particularly in rooms where several different staff may be using the same equipment. They are ideal for emergency rooms where every second counts when looking for materials, medical equipment or supplies.
Glass display cabinets are also very easy to clean. The acrylic surface is not as streaky as glass and a simple wipe down is all they need to stay clean and free from germs or bacteria. The wood, metal or plastic frames and doors are likewise very easy to clean and maintain, making an attractive, functional and very practical piece of office furniture.
What types of glass display cabinets are available? There are many different options when it comes to glass display cabinets and the best option for each facility will de different. For basic supplies or for first aid types of kits and equipment wall mounted glass display cabinets provide a small yet easily accessible storage area. Since the materials are clearly visible from the outside of the cabinet it is ideal for a wide variety of settings. These types of wall mounted glass display cabinets may have single or double doors, depending on the size and style that is needed.
Floor mounted or full sized glass display cabinets are a great addition to any type of patient care area. Some of the larger units are perfect for storing books and other materials where they are still easy to find yet protected from spills and damage. They can be wood and glass, stainless steel and glass or metal and glass or acrylic. Most of these types of full sized or wall mounted glass display cabinets will have one or more adjustable shelves, with the floor standing models typically having four or more adjustable shelves.
For patient care areas glass display cabinets that are also warming units are an important option. They can keep blankets and linens warm, and often have a special section for warming solutions as needed. Digital controls regulate temperature very accurately for safety.
Are glass display cabinets typically locking or do they simply close?
Locking options are available on all types of glass display cabinets from the wall units through to the under the counter and full sized glass display cabinets. Locking storage areas are very important in most parts of the hospital or health care setting so it is generally recommended to purchase the locking doors for use when and as needed.

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What are the most traditional styles of waiting room chairs?

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Traditional styles of waiting room chairs typically include the Victorian style of chair. These chairs are ornate and elegant yet they are also very strong, durable and practical as waiting room chairs. Generally they have a wooden frame which comes in several different natural colors. Mahogany is the darkest color with walnut, light and medium oak the other common wood finishes. Any type of upholstery can be matched with the chair including patterns or solid colors. For waiting room chairs the most common type of upholstery is vinyl since it is easy to clean and sterilize and is also very durable and long lasting, despite the heavy wear it will receive. Colors range from neutral and earth tones through to blues, but all will be antimicrobial and flame retardant, allowing your office extra protection and safety. For very small waiting room areas with lots of patients, what types of waiting room chairs are the best? For smaller, busy waiting rooms, hospital waiting rooms and even in doctor's offices a stylish yet space saving type of chair is the most practical. Look for waiting room chairs that don't have arms as this actually makes a room look more spacious and provides a sense of more space around each chair. Lighter colors will add to the openness of the room while dark chairs will provide a bit of color and can be used to brighten up the room with bold upholstery colors. Simple, more modern designs also prevent the area from looking as crowded and they are much easier to clean and sterilize as needed. For a slightly larger space consider the same type or design of chairs but with arms, or consider mixing the two to allow patients and family members to select which chair they are most comfortable with. Always select chairs that are appropriate for the size of the room, avoid very large chairs in a small space or small chairs in a large space to make the room look balanced and appealing. Are there waiting room chairs that are good for elderly patients or those with special needs? For any patients that may find getting out of waiting room chairs difficult, power lift chairs are a great addition as waiting room chairs. These smaller sized chairs are not big and bulky like recliners and most look very similar to the high back standard types of waiting room chairs. These chairs can be placed in a corner area or against a wall and allow patients the extra help they need to simply lift out of the chair. The seat of the chair uses an electric motor to slowly and gently lift the seat upwards and forwards, allowing the patient to correctly position his or her legs and move from a seated to a standing position without the need for assistance from staff. These types of waiting room chairs are also great for people with spinal injury or pain, leg or neck problems or overall strength or mobility health concerns.

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What materials are stored in flammable safety cabinets?

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Within hospital and health care facilities there are several different types of chemicals, typically liquids, that have to be stored in flammable safety cabinets. These liquids have been determined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as well as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). These two oversight organizations have categorized various compounds and liquids into different categories based on their chemical composition and reactivity to various other agents and chemicals. In general, liquids that are classified as class l, ll or lll must be, by law, kept in flammable safety cabinets. This regulation does not just apply to hospitals, any health care facility including private doctor's offices, clinics or nursing homes and hospices must also follow all the guidelines if they have any of these listed liquids or chemicals on the property or in the facility. What safety features do flammable safety cabinets have that make them so essential in preventing fires? The whole design of flammable safety cabinets is to provide protection from fire should an accidental spill, leak or combination of fire causing liquids or compounds occur. Typically all flammable safety cabinets will have at least a two inch leak proof area all along the bottom of the cabinet, including the door space, preventing any potentially flammable material from escaping out of the cabinet. This provides protection in the event of an accidental spill or a leak within the cabinet itself. Additional protection includes the use of specialized types of vents on the top of flammable safety cabinets. Typically these vents are capped, so there is no direct access or exit of materials from inside or outside of the cabinet through the vets. The capped vents are also equipped with flash arrestors. Flash arrestors are specialized devices that actually extinguish any flame or flash that may occur within the cabinet or as the vented gases from a spill or leak come into contact with the air, usually the oxygen in the air. This prevents the fire from exiting the cabinet or from creating a flashback into the cabinet with the released gas combines with the outside air. All flammable safety cabinets have shelving units that are designed to hold specific amounts of weight, typically up to 500 pounds per shelf. This heavy duty shelving provides protection from shelf breakage or damage that may contribute to liquids or chemicals coming into contact with each other in the cabinet. What are flammable safety cabinets made of? The best quality of flammable safety cabinets are made according to the OSHA and NFPA standards and have at least 18 gauge steel construction. They are also welded together, ensuring the strongest possible joins and door areas. In addition the flammable safety cabinets are double walled, with at least one and half inches of air space between the walls. This acts as an insulator plus it allows the flammable safety cabinets to withstand heat and pressure while keeping the contents safe.

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What is the best option for a scale used in most pediatric scale tables?

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

All of the newer types of pediatric scale tables will have digital read out scales, which make easy and accurate record keeping very simple. Most pediatric scale tables will also feature Tanita scales, which are considered to some of the most accurate and dependable scales on the market. These scales can be adjusted to read out either metric or standard weights, so pounds and ounces and well as kilograms can all be determined with the same type of digital scale.
The digital Tanita options on pediatric scale tables also include scales that self calibrate. This is a very important feature as it saves time in the patient rooms as the scales don't need to be manually calibrated before each use. Most scales are going to be battery operated, making the pediatric scale tables very easy to move and located in any room, regardless of the location of outlets for plug ins. In addition the scales will have an automatic shut off when they are not in use for a set period of time. On each start up the calibration will occur, meaning that battery life is conserved with the automatic shutdown but accuracy is maintained with the start up calibration. What other features are available on pediatric scale tables?
Infantometers, specialized measuring apparatus for babies, are typically included in pediatric scale tables. This provides a handy way for the doctor, nurse or medical staff to complete the necessary measurements of the infant or child all in one central location. Since the measuring devices are mounted to the pediatric scale tables they are always easy to access and prevent searching for where they may have been last used.
Other issues to look for in pediatric scale tables include a comfortable, well padded and easy to clean surface for the infant and toddler. Most will have a padded surface in the central area that can be removed for easy cleaning. In addition a paper dispenser that is mounted directly to pediatric scale tables makes easy transitions if the scale is in a central area and will be used frequently. Simply pulling out the next section of paper makes clean up a breeze for high usage scales in pediatrician's offices. What safety features are included in pediatric scale tables?
As with any infant or children's medical equipment there are several standard safety features on good quality pediatric scale tables. One important feature is a rib or edging around three sides of the table to prevent any possibility of an unattended baby falling from the table. While this is typically not a concern with trained medical staff, having the extra protection of a rim is very important. In addition the rim itself should have a rounded or beveled edge, not a sharp corner or tight angle type of edge. This prevents possible injury to the infant's arms or legs if he or she moves around on the table during the measuring process.

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Are there themes of matching office furniture to correspond with some types of pediatric exam tables?

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

There are several options to really make a pediatric medical office a welcoming and fun place for kids. One option is to include brightly colored or themed styles for pediatric exam tables and combine this with other matching or corresponding pieces of furniture and equipment. While not all themed pediatric exam tables will be sold as a set with other office furniture and equipment, it is never hard to carry on with a theme using a bit of creativity.
Common themes for pediatric exam tables include a down under theme, which includes symbols of Australia. This theme is easy to add to with some Australian travel posters, some stuffed Koala bears and kangaroos and even some fun Australian art. Other popular kids themes with matching pediatric exam tables include space, cartoon characters, oceans, school bus or school themes amount many others.
For some pediatric exam tables even just matching colors such as the bright blue of the ocean theme or the bright yellow of the school bus is a great way to enhance the theme without requiring a lot of additional equipment based on the theme. What features are important in pediatric exam tables? As with adult examination tables there are several features that you may wish to consider in pediatric exam tables. The first is the comfort of the patient, so checking to make sure the surface is padded and comfortable for the child is going to be essential. Most manufacturers provide at least 2 inches of foam padding protected by antimicrobial and antibacterial vinyl that is very easy to clean and disinfect between patients. Backrests that allow the child to sit in comfortable position are also important to consider.
Recessed toe kicks are an important consideration for most medical staff as it allows them to comfortably stand flush with the table, providing the most security for the child. Locking storage doors in the front or ends of pediatric exam tables provide secure places to keep medical supplies and equipment, away from curious little patients that may be intent on investigating the room. Drawers located immediately below the surface of pediatric exam tables provide handy access to common equipment you may need during exams. How easy are the designed pediatric exam tables to keep looking new and in good condition?
Looking for pediatric exam tables that use high pressure laminate will ensure that the designs don't peel off or discolor with use. In addition most are designed with scuff and mark resistant surfaces to protect them from daily wear and tear. Built in paper dispensers within the pediatric exam tables help to protect the surface of the vinyl covering plus they also provide an additional layer of cleanliness for the patients.
Cleaning the high pressure laminate surfaces is easy and requires only a wipe down with water and disinfectant. All surfaces are tested with hospital and medical cleaners to prevent any discoloration from use.

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What number of lamps is the best for over bed hospital lights?

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

There are several different options when it comes to over bed hospital lights and lamps. Typically most over bed hospital lights will use a standard T8 lamp, which means that each light will take the same type of replacement lamp, making it easy for maintenance as well as purchasing. Generally the over bed hospital lights will have either 2, 3 or four separate lamps within the light, depending on the style, model and size of the light itself. Two lamp over bed hospital lights provide a good amount of light if there is overhead lighting in the room or lots of natural light provided by windows or other open areas in the room. Two lamp over bed hospital lights will require that the lamp be replaced immediately since there will be a decrease in light provided with only one lamp working. Three and four lamp over bed hospital lights can work with one lamp out, however not all lighting options on the three pull types of switches will work, depending on which lamp is out. These types of multiple lamp over bed hospital lights are recommended for patient or hospital areas with less natural light or lower levels of overhead light. Are there different styles of over bed hospital lights that will match with most hospital and health care décor? There are several different styles of over bed hospital lights and all are designed to blend in with standard hospital, health care, nursing home or other types of facility décor and design. Generally most over bed hospital lights will be colonial or traditional in design or more streamlined and modern in appearance. The colonial design is molded with rounded corners and detailing on the front and sides of the fixtures. Hinges on the front part of the aluminum fixture easily open to allow options to completely clean the lights and fixtures or to replace burned out lamps. The modern design of over bed hospital lights has a unique feature in that it slants forward to form a wedge shape when viewed from the side. This prevents patients from storing items on the light's top surface, plus it adds an interesting and eye catching aspect to the room. These over bed hospital lights are also designed to be easy to clean and very easy to change out any lamps as needed. What is the advantage of four foot over bed hospital lights to three foot lights? The difference in an additional length of light on either side of the bed is important in many different situations. Four foot over bed hospital lights are going to provide additional brightness to the room, plus may also make moving patients and dealing with IV readings easier for staff. This is because there will be a greater distribution of light with four foot over bed hospital lights than with the same type of light in a three foot model. Of course the number of lamps will also help to increase brightness under all circumstances.

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How is air circulation provided in medical storage lockers and why is it essential?

Friday, August 07, 2009

Medical storage lockers, whether for medical supplies or for patient or staff personal items need to be properly vented. Venting with medical storage lockers is typically done either by vent holes that are located on the sides or front of the medical storage lockers or through horizontal vents that allow air circulation. Without appropriate air circulation there is a greater risk of bacteria, fungus and mold growth, which reduces the sterile environment so essential in health care settings. In medical storage lockers that are used for storing compounds and liquids, venting may be done through the use of pipes that can be vented into hoods or directly into air removal systems within the facility. This is done to provide additional safety in the event of an accidental spill within the cabinet or locker. Any flammable liquids or compounds have to be stored in specially designed and labeled flammable safety cabinets that meet very specific safety guidelines and standards. What options are available for medical storage lockers and cabinets? There are both wall and base or counter mounted medical storage lockers and cabinets available, as well as full sized cabinets that measure up to 63 plus inches in height. The various medical storage lockers and cabinets are designed to suit the needs of a variety of different types of storage ranging from linens and housekeeping supplies through to actual medications, equipment and general examination related supplies. The doors on medical storage lockers can be completely metal or wood or they may have glass or acrylic areas for easy viewing into the locker or cabinet. Most medical storage lockers have the option of being locked in a variety of ways. Some are key locked, others are designed to hold standard padlocks or even combination types locks can be used. Locking medical storage lockers provide additional security features and may be very appropriate for staff changing rooms, patient areas and for keeping supplies secure in high traffic areas of the hospital, clinic or health care facility. What colors and styles are available in medical storage lockers? Most metal medical storage lockers will have a baked enamel finish and will come in a wide variety of colors. These colors can be pastels or deep, rich colors of reds, blues, greens or even the more neutral earth tones. Gray and sand colors are popular as they match well with any décor or colors typically used in patient and examination rooms. All medical storage lockers are designed to resist rust, scuffs and scratches and to be easy to clean and sterilize. Door hinges or sliders are designed to be very durable, providing years of maintenance free movement and quiet open and closing. Sliding door medical storage lockers can be either floor mounted or wall mounted and are very popular as under the counter types of storage for non-medical types of equipment and supplies. For locking doors typically hinged doors are provided with either central closing or right or left opening options in most models.

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What are the advantageous of locking computer workstation desks for patient and non-patient areas of a hospital or clinic?

Thursday, August 06, 2009

Any patient area is going to be a busy place in hospitals, clinics and health care facilities. Equipment that is left in public areas is going to always run the risk of being used by patients or others that should not have access to the equipment. Often children and adults alike will look at and handle all types of equipment in an examination room, emergency room or even in a patient care room. Having only locking computer workstation desks in the facility means that the computer, keyboard and other equipment can be safely and easily kept out of sight and out of contact with individuals that don't have the need to use the equipment. Since many of the databases and information that can be accessed through computers and files found in and on locking computer workstation desks, patient security and privacy is also protected through the use of locking computer workstation desks. Is there any additional storage space available when using locking computer workstation desks? Depending on the model and type of locking computer workstation desks that are being considered there can be moderate to large amounts of additional storage space within the unit itself. Many of the locking computer workstation desks have drawers for pencils, pens and other small supplies, as well as larger drawers for files, paper and other necessary equipment for the computer system used on the cart. Fully adjustable shelves in the bottom section of locking computer workstation desks means that you can easily adjust the shelves to hold whatever books, equipment or supplies you require. In some models there may also be storage space within the monitor section of the desk. Additional storage in large storage drawers or sections with drop down or front open doors is perfect for all types of materials, including basic medical supplies and equipment. Why do locking computer workstation desks and mobile desks have adjustable keyboard heights and other adjustments? One of the key features of locking computer workstation desks is that they have to be practical to use in a variety of settings. Since different nurses, doctors and medical staff may be using the mobile workstations it is essential that height adjustments be simple and easy to do. One consideration that is important for locking computer workstation desks and adjustments is how the person using the computer station is going to be positioned when entering data. If the nurse or medical staff is seated, the keyboard will need to be lower, while if they are standing the keyboard needs to be elevated for comfort and accuracy. Adjustments of the shelving units is also important to adapt for different computer systems, printers and other types of equipment. Even monitors may be different sizes so having some option to either buy a different size of cabinet or adjusting the locking computer workstation desks is important so the systems are practical with constantly changing technology.

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Do mobile medical computer workstations require any special technical assistance or support for installation and set-up?

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

There are many different models of mobile medical computer workstations on the market, some which may require set-up on location while other arrive fully assembled. Even, however, with mobile medical computer workstations that require some assembly it is typically very simple, straight forward and will require basic tools such as screwdrivers. Most mobile medical computer workstations are going to come with the frame completely assembled however they will need to have the keyboard shelf and possibly drawers or doors attached at the location. Some will need to have the castors inserted into the base of the frame legs, but this is a very simple procedure. Installing and setting up the computer on mobile medical computer workstations is just as simple. There is no requirement for any specific types of extra equipment because the system is mobile. Most enclosed mobile medical computer workstations will have options power bars mounted within the unit or will have brackets to store the power bar, allowing for only one plug-in and outlet requirement to manage the power to the monitor, computer, printer or other electronic devices on the workstation. How easy are mobile medical computer workstations to maneuver? Designers that plan and build the various mobile medical computer workstations are aware of the space and movement constraints that occur in most typical health care facilities and settings. Generally most mobile medical computer workstations come with larger castors, allowing easy rolling even over uneven surfaces or when moving from non-carpeted to carpeted areas. Many mobile medical computer workstations offer two wheels with brakes and two that swivel, providing easy turning but lots of stability when the mobile medical computer workstations are in use. Additional options to make maneuvering the mobile medical computer workstations easy in hospital settings include their compact designs. They are created to not waste any space within the unit and also to avoid having anything protruding from the case or frame itself. Build in handles for pushing are typically provided along the desktop surface and may also be padded to act as bumpers when going through hallways, doorways or other narrow areas found in health care facilities. How are monitors secured on open types of mobile medical computer workstations? While many hospitals and health care facilities choose the fully enclosed and locking options for mobile medical computer workstations, there are just as many that prefer the open top workstations. These types of mobile medical computer workstations offer brackets that are permanently attached to the surface of the workstation that mount to the computer monitor. This option allows additional top surface work area around the monitor but also prevents the monitor from slipping or sliding when the cart is being moved. The use of brackets also prevents the needs for tie-down cords to be used when transporting the mobile medical computer workstations to and from rooms and locations. Other features to protect the monitors include options dust covers which are typically available from the computer manufacturer.

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How can anatomical anthropological skulls be exact replicas of the original skulls?

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Anatomical anthropological skulls are developed by actual making a caste of the original skull found at the specific archeological dig site. These castes and molds are formed from a very fine material that truly defines each and every variation, ridge or depression in the natural skull. The result is a high resolution replication that can be mass produced to be an exact duplicate of the various famous anatomical anthropological skulls.
Without this level of detail anatomical anthropological skulls would be interesting but basically of little or no value in research. Thanks to the specificity of the caste process they are just like being able to study the real thing. Where are anatomical anthropological skulls used most often?
The most common use of anatomical anthropological skulls is in anthropology classes. In basic or introductory level classes the gross differences between the skulls are often as far as the students need to go. These skulls show many major differences in size, shape and features, allowing students to clearly see how these skulls differ and become more and more closely aligned with modern human skulls.
For advanced level anthropology classes, biology and science classes that study evolution the skulls provide enough detail for even minor and miniscule changes in skull size or features to be accurately measured. They can also be used in comparative physiology and biology classes, and may also be used in high school and college prep courses.
Researchers working on various aspects of human evolution and ancient man use the anatomical anthropological skulls rather than having to travel to the location of the actual original skull. Most of the original skulls are in Frankfurt Germany and are never actually handled or used by researchers unless under very specific conditions. Using the anatomical anthropological skulls allows the originals to be securely stored and protected from any potential damage either by accident or by exposure to everyday handling. How are anatomical anthropological skulls displayed?
High quality anatomical anthropological skulls come mounted on a sturdy, secure base. The base may include structural supports for the jaw, meaning that the anatomical anthropological skulls are highly durable and can handle being moved without fear of damage. In addition most of the anatomical anthropological skulls also provide information on the base as to the location in which the skull was found, the year of the find and general information about the skulls. On some of the bases there are relief maps that indicate the exact location within a specific country and geographical area in which the skull was discovered. With some of the anatomical anthropological skulls it has been possible to carbon date them to within a few thousand years, and it is even possible with some of the skulls to determine the gender, approximate age and some other health issues about the individuals. These additional insights into the origins of the skull provides a fascinating glimpse into history, plus it makes the skulls very appropriate for display.

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