Posts Tagged ‘ Medical equipment ’

Catheters and Sitting in Misery

Wednesday, August 11, 2010 posted by admin 8:23 am
Coming to terms with your catheter
Image by Compound Eye via Flickr

The word "catheter" actually comes from the ancient Syrian word for "to sit."  The Syrians made the first catheters, which were simply reeds.  Using these reeds to "sit" inside of bodily orifices like plugs, they were a medical tool which could be used to drain out that which should not be in the body any longer.  By inhibiting the body’s ability to close up a wound, and essentially "irrigating" out fluids of some sort, these tubes serve a valuable purpose to medical practice.  However, they can also cause a great deal of suffering to those into whom they are inserted.  After all, catheters have the potential to be very damaging to the people who have them inside their bodies.

A lot of people essentially go to hospitals to get even sicker than they originally were.  And catheters are no exception to this dubious rule.  As a catheter is essentially a foreign object sticking out of (and holding open) a human body, it is pretty much a guaranteed breeding ground for bacteria, as well as a highway by which this bacteria may have easy access to that body.  It has been speculated that of the tens of thousands of deaths due to the "super bugs" (infectious agents which are highly resistant to antibiotics, which breed like rabbits in a hospital setting), a very large number are due to catheters.  In the treatment of urinary catheters, especially, lies the potential for a great deal of infection.  It is in direct, constant contact with bodily waste, after all.

But of course, catheters can be useful, and most likely do save some lives due to their intended "drainage and irrigation" functionality.  Urinary catheterization is useful in the removal of the aforementioned body waste, and can also drain urine from the kidney by percutaneous nephrostomy.  Catheters can also collect fluid, as in cases such as abdominal abscesses.  They can also be used in veins, such as during angiograph, balloon sinuplasty, angioplasty and balloon septostomy.  A catheter can also be introduced into a vein or an artery, and used to measure blood pressure or intracranial pressure.

  • Share/Bookmark
Tags: , , , , , , ,
Category : General

Purchase Burn and Trauma Kits From Used Medical Equipment Suppliers

Sunday, August 8, 2010 posted by admin 5:50 am

When you are stocking up on safety supplies, you might want to consider purchasing burn kits from used medical equipment suppliers. When you are purchasing an item used or refurbished, you get quality items at deeply discounted prices. Many used medical equipment providers work like regular stores, and offer sales and other specials on items such as first aid burn and trauma kits.

A first aid burn and trauma kit is a bag or box of supplies or even a wall mounted cabinet holding different types of equipment one might need in an emergency situation such as a trauma or a burn. Different suppliers put different items in the kit, and the items in a kit might vary based on legislation and advice from different organizations or governmental offices. When looking at used medical equipment, look for kits that stands out visually and are waterproof. Once you have the kit in your possession, make sure you check it regularly to see if it needs to be restocked and to ascertain whether items indicate have expired or are damaged.

Look at the contents in your kit before you purchase the item from a used medical equipment supplier. In the case of the trauma such as bone fractures, bleeding, and burns, you need to have specific equipment on hand. You want to make sure the kit contains adhesive bandages such as Band-Aids made for specific body parts; sterile dressings one can apply to a wound such as sterile eye pads and petrolatum gauze pads for chest wounds; other types of bandages to secure dressings (gauze, elastic, roller, or triangular); butterfly closure strips; saline for cleaning out wounds; soap; antiseptic for reducing the risk of infection; burn dressing (a sterilized pad that is soaked in cooling gel); hypoallergenic adhesive tape; and hemostatic agents to cause blood clotting.

Enhanced by Zemanta
  • Share/Bookmark
Tags: , ,
Category : Diagnose, Used Medical Equipment

Stock up on First Aid Kits for Home and Workplace Safety

Friday, August 6, 2010 posted by admin 5:47 am

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.

Enhanced by Zemanta
  • Share/Bookmark
Tags: , ,
Category : Diagnose, Medication, Used Medical Equipment

Get Backboards and Collars From Used Medical Equipment Providers

Thursday, August 5, 2010 posted by admin 5:45 am

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.

Enhanced by Zemanta
  • Share/Bookmark
Tags: , ,
Category : Hospital, Medication

Splinting in Medical Situations

Wednesday, August 4, 2010 posted by admin 5:43 am

When an emergency responder gets to the scene of an accident and finds a victim with a swollen, painful, deformed extremity, this generally means that the individual has a fractured bone, which must be splinted. The concept behind splinting is to stabilize an individual so they don’t move around and cause more injury to the damaged area. Remember to splint not only the actual fracture, but also split the joints below and above the injury. Emergency medical technicians are trained how to use a splint properly.

Use a traction splint if a fracture or break is isolated to the femur and if there are no other traumatic injuries to the mid-thigh. The traction splint should be used to treat severe femur fractures. If you suspect a distal fracture, avoid splinting. You want to avoid splinting an injury that is close to the knee, pelvis, hip, ankle, or the leg where the distal limb is connected by marginal tissue.

There are different types of traction splints on the market, and if you are looking to purchase a traction splint, you might want to consider consulting a used medical equipment supplier. The suppliers make it their business to know and understand the latest technology in health medicine. They can help you find the splint that meets your specific needs. There are two basic varieties of traction splints. One is a bed that is used to support the injured leg. The other is a single post with an interior post, which telescopes out towards a patient’s feet.

Used medical equipment is generally just as good as new equipment since companies refurbish items such as splints, ensuring that they are an optimal working order. Before applying a splint, stabilize the area below and above the fracture and check the area for distal pulse, sensory and motor function. If more than one rescuer is available, one should stabilize the patient while the other one applies the splint.

Enhanced by Zemanta
  • Share/Bookmark
Tags: , ,
Category : Hospital, Medication

Using an Auto Refinance for Equipment Purchases

Tuesday, August 3, 2010 posted by admin 8:12 am
Medical equipment
Image via Wikipedia

Medical professionals just starting in their careers may find that it can be financially challenging to get started. The cost of equipment can be initially high and finding the necessary equipment for their area of specialty can be a challenge. However, there are numerous online sites for those areas of concern that will help the medical professional find exactly what they’re looking for, at a cost that is reasonable for their budget and with the level of quality in the equipment that they need to assemble a competitive medical business.

In many situations, purchasing medical equipment brand new is often not necessary, especially if the niche area does not dictate having new equipment as a means to success. For instance, most types of medical practices opt to purchase used X-ray machines instead of new ones, to offset the high cost of buying one brand new.

Since starting a medical profession is much like starting a small business, the individual may have to use their own funds to get the business started. In financial cases where this would be a challenge, he may want to consider an auto refinance in order to reduce his own personal expenses so that he can place more of his disposable income into the business to get it up and running. Refinancing his automobile is also a great way to establish a solid credit history and to increase his credit rating, especially if it is suffering in any way.

Once the professional has established the business, he will still need to be frugal in his spending and find creative ways to reduce his expenses. He should always keep an eye on resources geared towards his medical profession by purchasing good, used equipment, establishing a solid working budget and focus on keeping his expenses low while growing and increasing his revenue.

Enhanced by Zemanta
  • Share/Bookmark
Tags: , ,
Category : Medication

Equipment That Treats Patients in Hypovolemic Shock

Tuesday, August 3, 2010 posted by admin 5:42 am

Hypovolemia is a condition that could prove fatal for a victim. It occurs when there is a significant decrease in blood plasma volume. Hypovolemia can be caused by dehydration, hemorrhaging, severe burns, diuretics, sweating,vomiting, and alcohol consumption. When a patient is suffering from hypovolemia, there are different methods and equipment that help the patient become stable again.

Sometimes the patient is given a blood transfusion, which re-oxygenates the blood. The victim might also have to wear trauma air pants, which provide counter pressure around the abdomen and legs. The air pants are used by emergency responders and are also used during a hospital stays.

When an individual is experiencing hypovolemia, medical professionals should monitor the kidneys and heart. The granular cells in the kidneys recognize changes in blood flow. When blood flow decreases, the kidneys secrete renin, a hormone that flows into the blood, converting to protein angiotensinogen to angiotensin. The angiotensin uses enzymes to convert to angiotensin II, which stimulates hormone release that helps the kidneys reabsorb sodium, thereby reabsorb in water. The angiotensin II contracts arterial muscles, increasing blood pressure.

The stretch receptors in the heart monitor the amount of blood that pumps from the veins into the heart. When the blood flow decreases, the receptors automatically reduce the release of atrial natriuretic peptide. To monitor the kidneys and heart, you might want to purchase the appropriate equipment.

Consult with an expert at a used medical equipment supply store to determine what the best equipment on the market is.
At a used medical equipment supply store, you can get top-quality equipment, used and refurbished, at a deep discount. Monitors and trauma air pants purchased in used medical equipment supply stores can help you diagnose hypovolemia in a victim or patient. They can help you treat to patient, and could even help save the life of the patient.

Enhanced by Zemanta
  • Share/Bookmark
Tags: , ,
Category : Diagnose, Used Medical Equipment

Purchase Used Equipment for Laparoscopic Procedures

Sunday, August 1, 2010 posted by admin 5:39 am

In health medicine a century ago, if an individual needed surgery on their pelvis or abdomen, a surgeon would make an incision that was long enough to reach into the patient and fix the problem. After the surgery was done, the surgeon would stitch up the incision, and the patient would recover not only from the procedure itself but also from the cut. Laparoscopy is a more modern means to achieving the success of an operation without making a huge incision. This type of operation is performed through tiny incisions, and uses the aid of a camera to locate problems in the patient. The camera is used to diagnose and inspect medical conditions, and they are used to perform surgery.

A surgeon who wants to use laparoscopic procedures in the operating room will have to stock up on the proper medical equipment. One way of doing this is by purchasing used medical equipment, which keeps costs down. The surgeon will want to purchase a laparoscope. There are two types on the market. One is a telescopic rod length system, which generally connects to a video camera. The other is a digital laparoscope end, which has a charge coupled device on the end that eliminates the rod lens system. It also has a fiber optic cable system attached, which connects to a cold light source that is xenon or halogen. This illuminates the operative field.

The benefits of using microscopic equipment include a reduced recovery time, reduced pain, and a reduction in hemorrhaging occurrences. Patients recover more quickly because of the small incisions. When stocking a surgical unit with used equipment from a reliable supplier, in addition to the aforementioned lower-cost, a medical technician knows that they are using recycled materials that are refurbished to their top performing condition. Talk to a customer service representative to find out which equipment would best suit your purposes.

Enhanced by Zemanta
  • Share/Bookmark
Tags: , ,
Category : Hospital, Medication

Stock up Surgical Inventory With Used Laryngoscopes

Friday, July 30, 2010 posted by admin 5:37 am

When you are stocking up on your medical equipment inventory, you might want to consider purchasing used medical equipment such as laryngoscopes. A laryngoscope has several different uses. The tool is handy when administering general anesthesia or for assisting mechanical ventilation. It can detect causes of voice problems such as a weak voice, a breathing voice, a hoarse voice, or no voice at all. The laryngoscope can detect the source of ear pain and throat pain. It helps evaluate what is wrong when an individual has difficulty swallowing such as mucus with blood or a continuous sensation of a lump in an individual’s throats. The laryngoscope detects injuries or strictures to the throat as well as obstructive masses in the airway.

Legitimate used medical equipment suppliers have their thumbs on the pulse of the health medicine industry. They know the most current and most popular equipment that will help your lab run smoothly. As you look over the inventory at a used medical equipment supplier, you might notice that there are different types of laryngoscopes on the market.The rigid laryngoscope is used for intubation for anesthesia, critical care, and pulmonary purposes. It generally has a handle which incorporates two batteries and in interchangeable blade that has a bulb light source. The black lightbulbs enhance phosphorus illumination in vocal cords. A laryngoscope might have different types of blade. The two most common types of blade are the straight Miller and the curved Macintosh.

The direct line is used if the patient is lying on their backs. It’s inserted into the patient’s mouth on the right, and is then flipped over to the left in order to trap and move the tongue out of the line of vision. The Transnasal Flexible Laryngoscope is used in office diagnostics where patients remain awake. This instrument is generally used to observe the vocal fold during singing or speech. It does biopsies on suspicious masses. When looking at different types of laryngoscopes, consider the ways you plan to use the equipment. Consult with a used medical equipment supplier to find the optimal tools for your specific purposes.

Enhanced by Zemanta
  • Share/Bookmark
Tags: , ,
Category : Hospital, Used Medical Equipment

Purchase Used Equipment for Ultrasounds

Thursday, July 29, 2010 posted by admin 5:36 am

The ultrasound has become a vital tool in fetal monitoring, animal research, dentistry, and injury observation. An ultrasound has a cyclic sound pressure that has a frequency that is greater than the upper limit of regular, natural human hearing. It is used to produce pictures such as the human fetus. In medicine, sonography uses its medical imaging technologies to visualize tendons, internal organs, and muscles. It analyzes their structure and size as well as any lesions that show up on images. It is considered to be one of them most popular diagnostic tools in modern health medicine.

There are different types of machines used for sonography. Some are big and bulky while others are small and portable. These machines can be found at discounted prices from used medical equipment suppliers. Similar to stores, the suppliers keeping stocked inventory of products in their top working form. They frequently offer sales and specials to reduce their already lowered prices.

In the biomedical industry, the ultrasound detects pelvic abnormalities in abdominal ultrasounds, rectal ultrasounds and vaginal ultrasounds. The high intensity focused ultrasound is used to treat malignant and benign tumors. The ultrasound is also used for therapeutic techniques. A qualified technician will use a powerful ultrasound to generate cellular effects in soft tissue. In dentistry, the ultrasound is used to clean teeth.

In health medicine history, ultrasounds may be used to treat cancer, treat cataracts, and even stimulate bone growth as the sonogram disrupts the blood brain barrier for drug delivery. When looking at different types of ultrasound equipment, consult with a specialist at your reliable used medical equipment dealership. Find out whether or not the company has workshops on premise to maintain equipment and keep it in top functional order. Look at the different types of equipment in the inventory and discuss which best suit your unique purposes.

Enhanced by Zemanta
  • Share/Bookmark
Tags: , ,
Category : Hospital, Medication