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How to use a Sphygmomanometer

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A sphygmomanometer is a medical instrument used to check your blood pressure. This is especially important for those that suffer from hypertension. When entering a doctor’s office, many patients suffer from “white coat syndrome” which refers to the increase in blood pressure as a result of nervousness when approached by a medical professional with a stethoscope. Therefore, regularly taking blood pressure readings at home is a much more accurate method as it occurs in your daily life. Despite the numerous blood pressure units available, the least expensive and most reliable is the sphygmomanometer or manual kit.

Preparing the Medical Instrument

The first step to checking your blood pressure is to carefully remove all instruments from the kit. Next, find an area with enough space that will allow you to rest your arm and bend at the elbow. You need to make sure your elbow is parallel to heart to ensure an accurate reading. While adjusting the equipment, take the reading from your left arm if you are right-handed and vice-versa.

Wearing the Sphygmomanometer

Wrap the cuff of the medical instrument around your arm and secure with Velcro ensuring it is snug but not too tight. Next, put the stethoscope in your ears while placing the head just above your elbow on the inside of the arm. Find the clip on the back of the sphygmomanometer and attach it to something secure. Furthermore, take the blub in the opposite hand and tighten the valve.

Take the Reading

Next, slowly pump the bulb until the needle is between 20 and 30 points above your usual top (systolic) number. Turn the valve and watch the needle fall while listening for a thumping sound. The first thump is the systolic number indicating the greatest amount of pressure exerted on the artery walls. Once that sound fades, you will have your bottom (diastolic) number.

Filed Under: Health, Medication Tagged With: Blood pressure, Velcro, White coat hypertension

Audible Alarms in Medical Equipment

Audible alarms are commonly used in most modern medical equipment. Although the need for this function cannot be traced to one specific cause, it is generally agreed upon liabilities, market trends and added functions contributed to their popularity. Medical equipment suppliers agree that too many alarms may result in an auditory overload for the patient.

Medical Device Manufacturers to Remain Competitive

Audible alarms in medical equipment slowly evolved over many years but were finally standardized in 2003 with the creation of international standard IEC 60601-1-8. The specification is not mandatory however, most medical equipment production companies are working toward meeting this standard due to the liabilities that may arise from not meeting it. Also, they do not want to lose sales from competitors that follow the standard.

The IEC 60601-1-8 Standard

IEC 60601-1-8 is an international standard specifying safety and performance requirements as well as testing of medical device alarm systems. The standard consists of 71 pages and includes visual and audible alarms with the majority of specifications relating to the latter. The specification covers all functions from the medical conditions that should trip the alarm to the wavelength frequency and shape. This information reviews the most important topics in detail.

The Classification of Alarm Priorities

Before an alarm sounds, the priority of the medical condition must be assigned. The IEC 60601-1-8 discusses which conditions should be classified as high, medium and low priority. The classification is based on the result of failure to respond and the speed at which harm may befall a patient. The highest priority is death or irreversible injury. A low priority indicates minor injury or discomfort from the patient. The equipment designer must decide which conditions takes precedence over others. Additionally, the location of the equipment plays a factor. A fast heart rate on a tread mill is low priority compared to an emergency room.

Filed Under: Health, Medical Equipment, Medication Tagged With: Alarm, Medical device, Medical equipment

Should You Buy Used Medical Equipment?

When people need medical equipment, one of the concerns is how long they will be needing it for. If they have sustained an injury which results in a permanent disability, they may need the equipment for many years. That can also be true of a chronic condition. These people may want to purchase new medical equipment, because they want it to be in excellent condition and able to be used for a long period of time. If you have a shorter-term condition, though, it may not be cost-effective for you to buy your medical equipment brand new. It can be very costly, and many people can’t afford it.

Fortunately, there are many places where you can buy used medical equipment. If you’re buying from an individual, be extra careful. Make sure you check the equipment out thoroughly. When buying from a company you may be able to get a warranty. Even if you do, be sure that you look the equipment over very thoroughly and get any problems taken care of. That way you won’t have a problem because the equipment you took home didn’t work properly. For simple pieces of medical equipment this isn’t much of an issue, but some medical equipment is essential to life – it absolutely has to work correctly, all the time.

When you’re buying something that is used to keep someone alive, or even to help them be mobile and perform day-to-day tasks, money should not be the central issue. Of course money matters, but you want to get quality. Even when buying used, the prices can vary widely between brands and between the companies or people selling the equipment. Keep that in mind and look around for the best value for the money that you’re spending.

Filed Under: Medical Equipment, Medication, Used Medical Equipment Tagged With: Business, Healthcare, Medical equipment

Finding the Best Medical Equipment

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If you’re in need of medical equipment, it’s important for you to know what you don’t have to buy it new. It can be quite expensive, and if you’re only using it for a short amount of time because of a specific injury, you might not want to pay a lot out of pocket. Even if you’ll be using it long-term, there are still plenty of reasons for you to buy it used. Price is the main factor, but some people also prefer to get something that’s used because they feel that it’s been tried out and it has held up well. They won’t be as concerned about it breaking down.

When it comes to buying used medical equipment, though, make sure where you’re getting it from. You don’t want to buy something from a person or place that you don’t feel you can trust. If you do that, you could end up with something that’s worn out or that doesn’t work well. That may endanger your health, and it could also affect your mobility. In addition, it’ll strongly affect your bank account because you’ll have to go out and buy something else – and you probably won’t be able to get your money back for your original purchase.

There’s nothing wrong with buying used medical equipment, and you shouldn’t be scared away from doing it. Just make sure that you’re buying from good places and people, where you can feel as though you’re getting the best deal out there. If you choose to buy new that’s also fine, but you’ll often pay a great deal more for essentially the same thing. Depending on the type of medical equipment purchased, though, new may be more sanitary in some cases.

Filed Under: Medical Equipment, Medication, Used Medical Equipment Tagged With: Dealers-Retailers, Healthcare, Medical equipment

Drug Treatment Program Offers Medical Equipment and General Medicine

People who are going through a drug treatment program not only need rehabilitation to get over their addiction, but also the long-term support of their families. This is especially true of individuals who require any medical equipment for a chronic disease or illness, such as diabetes. Family members play an important role in general medicine, by ensuring the patient gets their treatment and takes their medication. With friends and family to help out, patients should do better with a regimen of general medicine practices to achieve optimum health.

Today, health medicine is a first step in treat a variety of disease and chronic illnesses. Many family practitioners use a more holistic approach to diseases than ever before, realizing that lowering the number of medications a patient takes is helpful to their recovery. Patients who need to see a specialist or holistic practitioner for further treatment are referred to the appropriate physician. Alternative medicine is seeing referrals from physicians who have patients with chronic pain, stress related disorders and anxiety.

You should still get your yearly physicals and checkups with your family doctor who practice in general medicine. But seeking out an alternative medical practitioner like an accupuncturist with state-of-the-art medical equipment is becoming the norm. Patients using oxygen, are getting relief from bio-feedback and massage has shown to lower their stress levels. These patients are finding their daily activities are easier and more pleasurable after such treatments.
Whether you use traditional or a more holistic approach to keep your health at your best, is your choice. With proper preventative medical care, vitamins and your dedication to a healthier lifestyle, you can maximize your long-term health potential. Your personal contribution and focus on important health factors like good diet, exercise and plenty of rest will add years to your life. Regular preventative care combined with good personal wellness efforts can help sustain a healthy lifestyle.

Filed Under: General, Medication Tagged With: Health, Health care, Medicine

Used Nebulizers for Asthma Treatment

For anyone with chronic asthma, inhalers are a familiar sight. But for those unable to use inhalers, such as small children and some adults, a nebulizer can make aerosolized medications much easier to take, preventing asthma attacks and allowing a fuller and happier life. Nebulizers can be bought used, at affordable discounts, making them an excellent investment.

Asthma is a chronic condition wherein a person’s airway becomes inflamed and partially or entirely closes, preventing air flow. Asthma often comes in distinct “attacks”, which can be triggered by environmental conditions such as breathing tobacco smoke or polluted air, or by physical exertion, as in exercise. Asthma attacks can be frequent enough to interfere with daily life, or infrequent enough that the condition is not noticed for a very long time. Asthma can also be caused by genetic predisposition, although research into the specific genes involved is ongoing.

The most common treatment for an asthma attack is medication delivered to the lungs via an inhaler. Inhalers turn liquid medication into an aerosol, which is ejected in a burst of air and inhaled by the patient. However, some individuals are unable to use these devices, and in such cases a nebulizer can be an effective replacement. Nebulizers aerosolize medication in a similar manner to inhalers, but instead of delivering a single, concentrated burst of air which must be inhaled at just the right time, nebulizers use a mask to allow the patient to breathe in the aerosolized medication normally. This can be the most effective way to deliver aerosolized medication to very young children, or to adults experiencing severe asthma attacks; in both cases the patient is unable to coordinate their breathing with the inhaler’s burst.

Nebulizers have long been deemed an infeasible replacement for inhalers, due to the size and weight of nebulizer devices, and to the loud noise they generate. But in recent years, nebulizers have become more compact, lighter, and quieter, allowing for more flexible usage and portability. Consider investing in a used nebulizer if you or someone you know has asthma but is unable to use a conventional inhaler.

Filed Under: Medication, Used Medical Equipment

More Vital Than a Masters Degree in Nursing

It is a foregone conclusion that a nurse that is worth their salary has got a few things on their belt at all times. A few pairs of rubber gloves (just in case) at the ready are a hallmark of an experienced medical professional. And a decent clipboard with a few bits of medical references on it (such as a CM ruler, pupil gauge and blood pressure charts) can be as good as gold to folks in the nursing profession. And obviously, a proper stethoscope would be worth what you paid for it even if it cost ten times what they do. However, there is one tool out there that pretty much trumps the rest.

While you don’t necessarily need a masters degree in nursing to appreciate the complicated tools in the medical profession, one of the simplest ones is also one of the best for a lot of situations that you are inevitably going to find yourself getting into. If you have not yet guessed what we’re talking about, it’s simple, everyday medical scissors. Do you need to clip a baby’s umbilical cord? Snip! Do you need to handle removing a bandage, or resizing it? Snip, yet again. If there is ever a need to cut something (which only happens about ten times in a slow day), a good, sturdy pair of scissors are a godsend for you.

While there are bent ended scissors designed for getting underneath bandages easily, some of the most important features are the materials your scissors are made out of, and whether they have additional attachments to facilitate getting things done a bit more easily. Obviously, you are going to want your scissors to be made out of stainless steel, because there is no room for rust in medicine. And in some very convenient cases, there are attachments on scissors for operations like handling and unscrewing IV tubes.

Filed Under: General, Medical Equipment, Medication Tagged With: Blood pressure, Master's degree, Medicine, Nursing

Prescription Medications Are More Expensive than Auto Insurance

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Drugs are more expensive than you can imagine. What you pay at your local pharmacy is just a fraction of the cost of the medication. There are pills that are literally 4,000 dollars a month if they are purchased with cash alone. It’s a multi-billion dollar industry and it’s costing you a fortune. The more sick you are the less money you have and there is no way around that. If you can believe it, there are people who are on over two dozen daily medications and without the help of insurance they wouldn’t be able to afford the drugs they are taking. But just like auto insurance, everyone needs to be covered.

That might be all well and true but that certainly doesn’t ease the pain of the amount that people are paying for prescription drugs, especially seniors on the infamous Medicare Part D program. It’s a program that can save seniors a ton of money on their drugs even though it doesn’t always feel that way. The reason that it often leaves a bad taste in your mouth is because of something those in the business call the donut hole.

The way it works is that for a certain period, and up to a certain dollar amount, Medicare simply pays most of the drug costs, leaving the patient with a fixed co-pay depending on the class of medication they are getting. Once the patient has acquired a certain amount of medication that Medicare has paid for, the tables are turned and the patient is made to pay a larger portion of the medicine costs. Depending on the medicine, this could equate to hundreds of dollars a month and leave those on a fixed income scrambling to pay for them. But without Medicare Part D they would be paying a lot more in the long run.

Filed Under: General, Medication Tagged With: Medicare, Pharmacy, Prescription drug

Stock up on First Aid Kits for Home and Workplace Safety

First aid kits are handy to have around in case of an emergency such as an injury, trauma, or burn. Some people keep first aid kits in their homes and cars, and most workplaces are mandated by law to have first aid kit on premise. Save on expenses by purchasing a first aid kit from a used medical equipment supplier. These businesses understand health medicine and the equipment that goes along with it.

A first aid kit is a collection of tools and supplies you might need in an emergency situation. The materials are kept in a waterproof container which might be a plastic box, a pouch made out of waterproof fabric, or a cabinet mounted on the wall. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) set the standard for first aid kits of being green in color with a white cross in the middle. This makes them recognizable internationally for individuals requiring first aid. Although this is the recommendation from the ISO, some organizations and individuals use other designs such as the Red Cross symbol which has a red cross on a white background. Another design has the Star of Life, which is associated with emergency medical services.

When you purchase your first aid kit from a used medical equipment supplier, double-check the contents. There are different types of kits for different regions and different activities. For example, if you are using a first aid kit for a boat, you might want to purchase a watercraft first aid kit, which contains remedies for seasickness. First-aid kits should hold supplies that help the injured party and also hold supplies to protect the person administering the first aid. Look for equipment to use for airway, breathing and circulation emergencies; supplies for trauma injuries; personal protective supplies; medication; and instruments and equipment such as tweezers, thermometers, space blankets, and scissors.

Filed Under: Diagnose, Medication, Used Medical Equipment Tagged With: First aid, First aid kit, Medical equipment

Get Backboards and Collars From Used Medical Equipment Providers

If someone is in a serious accident and has a serious injury, it’s crucial for them to remain immobile until they can get to a hospital where they are checked on by an experienced professional. One way to keep a person from moving after an accident is to put them on a long spine board (LSB), also known as a backboard.This is a medical device that is used to transport patients with potential spine injuries. The boards help prevent any movement of the spine, which could lead to permanent injury. Paramedics and EMTs are trained in the usage off the backboard.

Another type of equipment that helps support the spinal cord and head in an injured patient is a cervical collar, also known as a neck brace. Medical professionals place a collar on a victim to prevent further damage, paralysis, and death. Although cervical collars are used in emergency situations, they can also be used for therapy, helping realign an individual’s spine and relieving pain. They are also used for sprains, strains, and whiplash.

To keep costs down, consider purchasing backboards and collars from used medical equipment providers. These are specialized stores that refurbish equipment, often on their own premises in their own warehouses, and re-sell the equipment to the public and professional medical personnel at discounted prices. Cervical collars are common items one might pick up from a used medical equipment supplier.

If you are looking to purchase a long spine board from a used medical equipment supplier, there are several points you want to consider. Generally, spine boards are made of plastic or wood. Modern medicine is shifting towards the plastic over the wood due to the maintenance that is required to keep the wooden boards in optimal working condition. Cracks and other imperfections in the wood can harbor bacteria so it’s critical to keep it well maintained. Some medics invest in short spine boards, however this is also becoming passé since modern medicine shows that it’s better to walk a patient with a cervical collar around their neck then to use the short board.

Filed Under: Hospital, Medication Tagged With: Healthcare, Medical equipment, Medicine