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Air Transfer Mat Solves Lateral Transfer and Positioning Risk in Hospitals

by sphmedicaladmin

Solving Lateral Transfer and Positioning Risk in Hospitals

Nurses, certified nursing assistants, and other healthcare workers constantly move, transfer, and reposition patients and residents during their workdays. Needless to say, the repetitive lifting and moving of people to and from beds, chairs and bathtubs can wreak havoc on caregivers’ health. Today, mechanical lift aids, an air transfer mat and other technologies help reduce the risk of injuries to caregivers and patients alike. However, many facilities continue to transfer and position patients manually, assuming that draw sheets and other methods are safe enough. In reality, lateral transfers cause countless repositioning injuries and other nursing injuries every year.

Increased Risk of Injury from Manual Patient Handling Tasks

Patients and healthcare workers alike are often injured during manual patient handling tasks, including when transferring patients laterally from point to point. According to OSHA, healthcare workers are seven times as likely to develop musculoskeletal disorders than workers in other industries. Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare workers face among the highest rates of musculoskeletal injury from overexertion. Across all industries, 33 of every 10,000 workers face such risks; in the healthcare industry, 68 of every 10,000 workers do. Additionally, patients are at increased risk of injury from such transfers and other activities. Every year, approximately 440,000 hospital patients die from hospital errors, injuries, accidents and infections, and Medicare patients have a one in four chance of being injured, harmed or killed after being admitted to the hospital.

Risks to Patients

Total care patients – those who are completely immobile and unable to move– must be moved, transferred and repositioned continually by caregivers. Throughout the day, they may be moved from toilet to chair, chair to bed, bathtub to chair and to and from other areas of a facility. Additionally, such patients must be moved from side to side in bed, lifted back up after slipping down in bed and even moved around while their beds are being made.

Every time a healthcare worker manually transfers a patient, they face an increased risk of being injured. Caregivers must often maneuver them from awkward angles and positions, increasing the risk of mishaps. The process is often uncomfortable for patients at the very least, making them dread any time they must be moved and making life more stressful in general.

Risks to Healthcare Workers

Healthcare workers bear the brunt of the risk of injury when laterally transferring patients without the aid of advanced technologies. Because of the obesity epidemic, patients are larger than ever, further increasing the risk of injury. Manual patient handling tasks contribute to countless injuries and chronic conditions among healthcare workers every year, including sprains, strains and slipped disks. Over time, injuries to the low back and shoulders often develop in those who must repetitively move and transfer patients.

According to research performed by Dr. William Marras of Ohio State’s Spine Research Institute, vertebral discs are avascular and depend upon the vertebrae above and below for nourishment and to remain healthy. Due to overexertion, small microfractures in the vertebral discs develop over time and prevent the disc from receiving the required nourishment. Continued overexertion then may result in a severe or career ending back injury. A seemingly “safe” manual patient handling task like a lateral transfer may just be the proverbial straw that broke the camels back.

Hospitals and other facilities face increased costs because of overexertion and injury among nurses and other healthcare professionals, including disability reimbursements and medical expenses. Injuries from manual patient handling cause higher turnover rates and increased absenteeism among healthcare workers. One study revealed that up to 20% of nurses who leave the industry do so because of the risks they face.

Protect Caregivers and Patients with an Air Transfer Mat

Mechanical solutions for lifting, transferring and repositioning patients are more advanced and readily available than ever. By investing in air-powered lateral transfer devices like and air transfer mat, facilities can dramatically decrease the risk of injuries among healthcare workers and patients. Such devices rely on ergonomics to ensure that they suit workers’ capabilities, reducing strain on their bodies. Mechanical lifts with slings, lifts that assist with standing, mechanical transfer aids and other devices go a long way toward protecting residents and caregivers.

When transferring patients laterally, nurses and other caregivers often pull them from bed to gurney with a draw sheet, or they might pull the patient on a sheet, sliding them across a plastic board. Either way, there’s still too much friction, and injuries can easily occur. Today, air-powered lateral transferring devices are the gold standard for reducing the risk of injuries and other problems. These devices use a thin layer of air beneath an inflated mattress to “float” patients from point to point, making the process easier, safer and more efficient for all.

SPH Medical supplies today’s top air-powered patient transfer solutions, allowing facilities like hospitals to reduce the risk of injuries to patients and healthcare workers. Products like AirPal and HoverMatt significantly reduce the risk of nursing injury and repositioning injury; in turn, employee downtime, absenteeism, disability expenses and other issues decrease, allowing facilities to maintain productivity while keeping costs in check. Today, the CDC recommends one patient lift device per eight immobile patients, and air-powered transfer devices are among the most useful and flexible options. Find one that suits the needs of your facility by shopping SPH Medical today.

CategoriesPatient Handling

Patient Positioning and Nursing Injuries

by sphmedicaladmin

How Patient Positioning and Lateral Transfers Increase Risk of Injury to our Nurses

Patient positioning in a hospital, surgery center, or medical clinic occurs twenty four hours a day and every day. Patients are constantly sliding down in bed and therefore need to be boosted back up, turned, bathed, and transferred. In this article we’re going to review one of the most common and predictable patient positioning tasks, a lateral transfer. Lateral transfers occur in many inpatient hospital units throughout the day. Whether patients are headed into surgery or to the imaging center, numerous departments oversee lateral transfers. In layman’s terms, a lateral transfer consists of transferring a patient from one surface to another. Unfortunately, the unpredictability of this procedure leaves a lot of room for error. As a result, both medical professionals and patients become susceptible to injuries. Specifically, hospital staff are at risk of MSDO’s due to the high frequency of this task and the increasing weight of patients. Lateral transfers have become so dangerous that more constructive alternatives are being developed.

In most cases, nurses perform lateral transfers by using the sheet that’s underneath the patient. If there aren’t enough hands on deck, a plastic board can help offset insufficient manpower. However, this method is far from flawless, and it doesn’t reduce enough friction to prevent a nursing injury or repositioning injury from occurring. Strains and sprains are commonplace but more serious career ending back injuries are occurring. Since a successful lateral transfer hinges entirely on physical effort and effective communication, these practices have been deemed high risk.

In fact, these techniques are so ineffective that medical professionals are over 30 percent more likely to experience musculoskeletal pain.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Registered Nurses are the number one at risk profession for a back injury with an average of 7 lost work days per injury.  Manual Patient Handling injuries are the primary culprits for this debilitating condition. While occupational injuries aren’t ideal for workers, they can be especially detrimental to hospitals. Not only do injuries leave their personnel indisposed, but these mishaps can also prove costly, requiring hospitals to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to cover injury costs, and that’s just the direct cost of these injuries.  d

In the hopes of addressing this ongoing issue, the Bureau of Labor Statistics held a study on safe patient handling programs. Their research showed that hospitals with proper lateral transfer procedures were 73 percent less likely to put their nurses or patients at risk. With this compelling evidence, the House made the noble decision to draft the Nurse and Health Care Worker Protection Act in 2015. At its core, this bill seeks to protect nurses from musculoskeletal disorders by requiring hospitals to reinforce their mobility, injury prevention, and patient handling standards.

The Future Of Safe Lateral Transfers

To combat the number of repositioning injuries, companies started introducing air-assisted transfer systems. AirPal is touted as the brains behind this invention and is renowned for being the first to design this revolutionary technology. With the efficacy of air-assisted transfer systems, companies like HoverMatt were eager to make this resource more accessible, leading to increased supply of the disposable or single patient use transfer mattress.

Air Powered Transfer System

In essence, these systems reduce friction while offering unmatched safety for both the patient and the caregiver. As a result, they improve ergonomics, reduce risk of injury to nurses, and improve patient satisfaction and safety during lateral transfers. Thanks to the incredible ability to reduce friction for patients of all sizes, fewer people are needed to oversee lateral transfers. To ensure that patients and staff members remain out of harm’s way, SPH Medical implements air-assisted transfer systems in hospitals all across the country.  SPH Medical is helping to make air assisted lateral transfer systems available to all hospitals at affordable prices.

Reasons To Choose Air-Assisted Transfer Equipment

Air-assisted transfer systems are highly sought-after for their ability to reduce handling injuries, but they offer more benefits than that. In addition to promoting safe practices, this cutting-edge equipment also instills comfort into the patient experience. In other words, patients aren’t as vulnerable to the unease and discomfort that accompanies traditional lateral transfers. With this modern equipment, transitioning a patient from point A to point B is seamless.  This can improve hospital efficiencies and throughput further reducing costs.

According to patients, air-assisted transfer systems give the illusion and feeling that they’re floating from one surface to the next. What’s more, this streamlined process makes patients feel like less of an inconvenience. When caregivers have to exert tremendous energy to move a patient, it can trigger self-consciousness especially for the Bariatric patient.  The dignity and care of Bariatric patients is an important consideration for hospitals across the country.  In her book The Challenges of Caring for the Obese Patient, Sue Gallagher states, “Even the most compassionate caregiver may be reluctant to provide adequate care [to a patient with obesity] because of the threat of caregiver injury.”  Fortunately, air-assisted equipment reduces self-doubt of caregivers and patients alike, bringing patients great peace of mind while allowing medical professionals to provide exceptional care.

 

References:

Gallagher S. The Challenges of Caring for the Obese Patient. Edgemont, PA: Matrix Medical Communications; 2005

Early Patient Mobility improves outcomes
Categoriesearly mobility

Safety Platform Walkers

by sphmedicaladmin

A Practical Solution for Early Mobility in the Acute Care Setting

By Amber Perez MHA, CSPHP

 

The benefits of early and progressive mobility programs are well-established in the acute care setting. Greater than a decade of published research validates the positive patient outcomes associated with implementing an early mobility (ICU-Based) and progressive mobility (acute care inpatient) program as an essential part of the patients plan of care. Marra and Ely of Vanderbilt University published the groundbreaking research establishing an intensive care patient protocol the ABCDE (now the ABCDEFG) method for reducing the risk of Delirium in ICU patients.  Delirium, once under-diagnosed and rarely treated, is now recognized as a primary indicator for mortality and identified early in most ICU’s in the United States. Vanderbilt University’s groundbreaking results contributed to drastic improvements in the quality of life and mortality rates of an immeasurable number of patients as a result of widespread adoption of the methods and tools published in the protocol. One of the key components of the ABCDE method is the ‘E’ or Early Mobility intervention. Subsequent research further identifies benefits of mobility (early and progressive) to include reduced risk of hospital acquired pressure injuries, ventilator acquired pneumonias, patient falls, hospital readmissions, and length of stay. In addition, patients experience an improved discharge disposition1.

Hospitals all over the world are prescribing mobility as a standard component of patient care. While mobility programs offer exciting and promising outcomes and quality improvements for patients, it is not without challenges and risk. Without proper planning and integration with a facility Safe Patient Handling & Mobility (SPHM) program, risk for patient handling injury and patient falls risk increase.

In an independent survey of ICU and Hospital nursing leaders – the barriers reported with early mobility protocol implementation include: lack of caregiver resources, increased risk of patient falls, and risk of patient handling injury. In addition, nursing leaders reported greatest concern with “out of bed activities” specifically, “standing and ambulation”. Many leaders reported having advanced ICU beds capable of assisting with many tasks of the early mobility protocols- including, tilt table/ hemodynamic training, sitting, edge of bed, and early weight bearing. The greatest concerns for staff and caregiver safety emerged around patient standing and walking. Of the nursing leaders surveyed, the equipment used to assist in standing and walking patients ranked as most preferred for mobility activities as follows:

  1. ICU/Inpatient Safety Walkers 66%
  2. Ceiling lift with walking sling 24%
  3. Mobile lift with walking sling 8%
  4. Mechanical stand aid with removable footplate 2%

The following are comments captured on the survey related to each category:

ICU/ inpatient Safety walkers:
“Safest option available”, “Fits well in crowded rooms”, “Allows us to walk patients out of the room”, “Staff prefer this option”, “Intuitive, easy to operate”, “O2, IV and devices have a place to go on the walker”

Ceiling lift with walking sling:
“Not all rooms have ceiling lifts”, “Only works well with a XY ceiling track”, “We do not have dedicated walking slings” “Great option if we can find the walking slings” “limited to in room activity”

Mobile lift with walking sling:
“Mobile lifts are too big and bulky in the ICU room” “Cumbersome”, “No place to put O2 or devices”, “Improved safety, prevents falls”

Mechanical stand aid with removable footplate:
“Footplate not removable on our device”, “Not a good option for an unsteady patient”, “no place to put oxygen or IV”

Based on the majority of feedback, utilizing a safety platform walker is the preferred equipment for accessibility, safety, function, and efficiency.

Below is a decision table to help you identify which safety platform walker is right for you.   

  • Walker
  • Features
  • Patient specific recommendations

RoWalker FeaturesMobilize Patients Early and Safely

  • 400lb weight capacity
  • Fixed seats that rotate and flip
  • Directional locking castors
  • Accessory basket
  • O2 tank and IV pole holder
  • Manual height adjustment
  • Width adjustable platform

RoWalker – Patient specific recommendations

  • Ideal for patients able to come to a standing position independently
  • Consider when sling management is a barrier
  • Simple and intuitive
  • Higher weight capacity
  • Conducive to therapy activities
  • Consider for patients with sternal precautions

Rise & Go Platform Walker Features

  • 330lb weight capacity
  • Safety sling with hygiene strap
  • Accessory basket
  • O2 tank and IV pole holder
  • Power stand assist
  • Directional locking castor available
  • Extra-wide adjustable platform
  • Swing away shin pads
  • Splash/water resistant design

Rise & Go Platform Walker – Patient specific recommendations

  • Ideal for deconditioned ICU level early mobility – power stand assist
  • Hygiene strap on sling allows OT’s to work with patient on ADL’s- water resistant design allows bathing therapy sessions with limited water spray
  • Swing away shin pads allow for progression in ambulation
  • Ideal for taller and smaller patients, longest stroke length on actuator
  • Small footprint for easy storage

XL Platform Walker Features

  • 500lb weight capacity
  • Extra wide frame adjustments
  • O2 tank and IV Pole holder
  • Accessory basket
  • Shin pad accessory- removable
  • Extra wide adjustable platform

XL Platform Walker – Patient specific recommendations

  • Ideal for ambulatory bariatric patients
  • Power rise assists with sit to stand
  • Ideal for patients who are not a high fall risk
  • Patients with O2 and IV’s may be useful with therapy.

References:

  1. Winkleman C, Johnson K, Hejal R, et al. Examining the positive effects of exercise in intubated adults in the ICU: a prospective repeated measure clinical study. Intensive Critical Care Nursing. 2012

 

  1. Vollman K. Early progressive mobility: strategies for successful and safe achievement to impact short and long-term outcomes. 

 

  1. Roberts M, Johnson LA, Lalonde TL. Early mobility in the intensive care unit: Standard equipment vs a mobility platform. American Journal of Critical Care.

 

  1. Marra A, Frimpong K, Ely EW. The ABCDEF Implementation Bundle. Korean Journal of Critical Care Medicine (2383-4870). 2016

 

  1. Pottenger BC, Pronovost PJ, Kreif J, et.al. Towards improving hospital workflows; an evaluation of resources to mobilize patients. Journal of Nursing Management. 2019
CategoriesInfection Prevention

Boosting N95 Mask Supply

by sphmedicaladmin

Manage the Pandemic’s Future by Boosting N95 Mask Supply

In 2021, the future of the pandemic seems to hinge on the efficacy and availability of the vaccine. While vaccine efforts do look promising, it is important to remember that some of the most powerful tools to combat COVID-19 are the same as they have been since the start. Using quality masks remains a critical component of conquering the pandemic once and for all. Shockingly, even after a year, the N95 mask supply is still in dire need globally. Hospitals around the country are still imposing strict limits on N95 mask usage. This leaves workers and first responders to reuse the same mask for multiple shifts to their own personal detriment. Yet, despite these restrictions, mask production is up around the world. In the United States, many established manufacturers have been boosting N95 mask supply. Moreover, as supply chain problems arise, smaller manufacturers have shifted their business models to compensate.

For comparison, prior to the pandemic, the demand for N95 respirators in the United States, including the model 9500-N95 mask, was 1.7 billion per year. Today, that demand has skyrocketed to 5.7 billion. Making a supply of N95 mask products to meet that need is a daunting task. The problem is evident when considering the cost of the N95 mask in today’s market. A year ago, these masks sold for less than a dollar. Recently, they reached prices in the range of $3.50 – $5.00.

Worse, the supply chain has not sufficiently adapted to make room for new suppliers. Some reports show that new suppliers are making a NIOSH N95 mask supply, but their products are going unused. The supply chain has not adequately explored all avenues for new stock, and too many medical facilities are relying on outdated suppliers or questionable alternatives.

This is deeply problematic given the reality of how COVID-19 is spread. Masks are an effective tool in controlling the pandemic because COVID-19 is transmitted through aerosols and respiratory droplets. Aerosols can be stopped by a fitted mask, but medical workers need a NIOSH N95 mask for the added fluid protection. While all N95 masks are designed to filter out extremely small and large particles, not all of them are made with fluid protection. Fluid protection ensures that the wearer is protected from blood or other bodily fluids that could be contagious. For frontline workers, this sort of protection is essential. Fluid resistance is a critical component in the mask’s surgical rating. Masks that are surgically rated must be tested for fluid resistance.

Supply Shortages or Supply Chain Failure

Whether the problem is supply shortages or supply chain failure, the end result is the same. Frontline workers are being left vulnerable when they need to be protected most. In fact, there is a growing consensus that the general population might benefit from increased masking. As new variants of COVID-19 spread across the globe, people need increased protection. However, until supply issues are resolved with the model 9500-N95 masks, other measures will need to be taken.

Fortunately, there is still good news. Despite the current obstacles, there are still viable options for medical facilities in securing the masks frontline workers need. The key is to leverage established manufacturers and work with reputable suppliers. This is where SPH Medical comes into play.

SPH Medical is a legitimate supplier in uncertain times. In order to cut on costs, SPH Medical has not cut out quality. Instead, the company has streamlined the supply chain and cut out the middle man. This ensures the best prices and efficient shipping times. SPH Medical is a reliable source that is trusted by hospitals across the country.

In particular, SPH Medical works closely with Makrite. Makrite has 30 years of experience in making masks, and the Makrite 910-N95FMX model is its latest and best. This Makrite N95 mask is NIOSH certified, and it has a surgical rating for fluid resistance. Its extreme efficacy has made the Makrite 910-N95FMX one of the company’s most popular surgical respirators. In other words, there is no need for frontline workers to suffer from a subpar supply. SPH Medical can help any medical facility build up a Makrite N95 mask supply to protect workers throughout the whole pandemic and beyond.

It is hard to predict what will come next in the pandemic. SPH Medical can prepare you for it all.

Air Powered Transfer System
CategoriesPatient Handling

Lateral Transfer and Positioning Risk in Hospitals

by sphmedicaladmin

The Dangers Of Lateral Transfers

Simply put, a lateral transfer involves moving patients from surface to surface, including a bed or hospital cart. These transfers pose increased risks to both patients and caregivers. Lateral transfers are performed throughout the day in various departments, ranging from ICU to imaging. Due to the high frequency of lateral transfers and patient positioning the probability of a patient or nurse sustaining an injury increases exponentially if the appropriate Safe Patient Handling techniques are not employed.  Patients that require comprehensive care often can’t move from point A to point B on their own, requiring the nursing staff to oversee their movements. When moving from one surface to another, matters become even more complicated.

In most cases, nurses use the sheet underneath the patient to transfer them. If there are limited staff members available, a plastic board is typically used as an alternative. While this device helps, it doesn’t reduce enough friction to combat the total force required. In essence, when handling a later transfer, nurses must rely on their strength and collaborative efforts to conduct a successful and safe transfer.

By leaving these affairs up to chance, caregivers and patients become more susceptible to a nursing injury or repositioning injury. With hospital injury rates on the rise, it’s imperative for staff members to have safer, easier, and more effective solutions at their disposal. Research shows that medical professionals are over 30 percent more likely to experience musculoskeletal pain due to handling injuries. While these injuries are painful, they can also be costly, setting hospitals back hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on the scope of the claim.

According to a study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, hospitals that implement safe patient handling programs are 73 percent less likely to expose their staff to handling injuries. These favorable statistics prompted the arrival of the Nurse and Health Care Worker Protection Act. This bill was introduced in 2015, and it states that the Department of Labor must establish new standards on mobility, patient handling, and injury prevention to safeguard medical professionals from musculoskeletal disorders.

The Introduction Of Air-Assisted Lateral Transfer Systems

In response to the Nurse and Health Care Worker Protection Act, companies like HoverMatt have developed air-assisted transfer systems. AirPal was one of the first to develop this cutting-edge technology, and this invention has paved the way for secure repositioning procedures. These transfer systems are designed to reduce friction by providing additional support under a mattress.

They also serve to boost patients up in bed and eliminate the manpower required to move patients. Touted as the gold standard, air-assisted lateral transfer systems breathe ease and security into repositioning patients. To improve patient safety and lessen caregiver injuries, we at SPH Medical implement these systems into hospitals.

The Benefits Of Air-Assisted Transfer Equipment

In addition to promoting optimal safety, air-assisted transfer systems also enhance patient comfort. This equipment is gentle and seeks to improve a patient’s hospital stay or in-home care. Moreover, patients aren’t subjected to the discomfort that comes with lifting them. Thanks to these revolutionary systems, patients aren’t raised but rather smoothly pulled from one surface to another. In fact, many describe it as floating from one position to the next.

This modern technology is also advantageous to patients because it causes less of a disruption. Traditional lateral transfers demand many helping hands, which can make patients feel like a burden. Fortunately, air-assisted transfer systems are easier to handle, meaning fewer medical professionals are required. Not only does this streamline operations, but it also brings patients great peace of mind. Improve the patient experience, protect caregivers, and lessen workplace injuries when you opt for air-assisted lateral transfer systems.

CategoriesInfection Prevention

The N95 Mask: Then Vs. Now

by sphmedicaladmin

The Demand for Surgical Masks is Growing

COVID-19 has left a trail of wreckage, upset, and gloom in its wake. As this fatal virus continues to ravage the world, the demand for surgical masks is growing, resulting in shortages around the country. The N95 mask in particular, are a popular choice among both frontline workers and the general public. Touted as the optimal personal protective equipment, these FDA-approved surgical respirators are coveted for their fluid resistance, efficient filtration of airborne particles, high surgical rating, and biocompatibility. Unfortunately, increased demands for N95 masks have prompted alternative suppliers to capitalize on market gaps.

While many are keen to get their hands on N95 masks, purchasing surgical masks through third-party vendors is ill-advised. At SPH Medical, we’re an authorized distributor, so we know the risks that come with going through the middleman. For the sake of promoting mass production, alternative suppliers often use imitation materials. As a result, their products are low-quality, generic, and less durable. Unlike unauthorized sellers, we put a premium on reliability and transparency, which is why we work directly with the factory.

Where N95 Mask Production Is Headed

With consumers growing increasingly desperate for N95 masks, production is expected to ramp up. Throughout 2021, experts forecast that production spending will reach $1 billion. We can also anticipate more domestic consumption of these products. Many companies have already vowed to broaden their domestic reach to foster enhanced capacity and capabilities.

However, with new variants being introduced, third-party suppliers are gaining more traction. Though these illegitimate suppliers have lent a helping hand during these unprecedented times, consumers are compromising on quality for convenience. To ensure that this new reality doesn’t wreak irreparable havoc on public health, we at SPH Medical are using our industry resources for good. As a certified distributor for Makrite Industries, we’re making the future of N95 production a lot brighter.

How Cutting-Edge Developments Are Unfolding

Fortunately, we’ve not grown stagnant in our attempts to revolutionize N95 respirators and fluid protection masks. Makrite, for instance, has recently created the Makrite 910-N95FMX. As a new variation of the NIOSH N95 mask, the Makrite 910-N95FMX boasts updated features. Certified by the CDC and FDA, this all-new Makrite N95 mask promises unmatched comfort, protection, and durability. With its snug fit and adjustable straps, this Makrite N95 mask is a highly sought-after surgical respirator.

The Makrite model 9500-N95 is an equally desirable option. In addition to being NIOSH-approved, the model 9500-N95 is also exceedingly effective, making it an ideal choice for first responders and frontline caregivers. In fact, it’s our most popular N95 surgical respirator. With COVID-19 taking new forms and, in turn, posing unparalleled threats, these cutting-edge surgical respirators are proving a godsend. Fortunately, with Makrite’s 30 years of industry experience, this trusted manufacturer is making it possible for healthcare personnel to adhere to safety guidelines.

Market Trends On The Horizon

As the coronavirus demonstrates its stubborn presence, the disposable face mask market is predicted to grow. More specifically, trend forecasters anticipate an annual increase of 53 percent over the next seven years. This startling figure bespeaks the unrelenting need for N95 masks. With these demands on the rise, qualified distributors are being urged to spring into action.

As a certified supplier, we’re doing our part to fill these market gaps. In other words, we’re partnering with dependable manufacturers like Makrite so that healthcare workers and industries receive the supplies they desperately need to fight this virus. As we continue to provide for these everyday heroes, our dedication to quality is unwavering. For all your NIOSH N95 mask and surgical respirator needs, make SPH Medical your go-to source.

CategoriesPatient Handling

Lateral Transfers: Know The Risks

by sphmedicaladmin

The Risks of Repositioning a Patient

Caregivers and medical professionals perform countless lateral transfers per day. This procedure is best described as repositioning a patient from one surface to another. With the uncertainty of lateral transfers, both nurses and patients become vulnerable to handling injuries. Whether a patient’s in the ICU or being taken to surgery, several departments are responsible for conducting lateral transfers. With that said, the potential for a nursing injury or repositioning injury to occur increases significantly. Patients that require total care are even more susceptible to these injuries.

Typically, nurses move patients from one position to the next using the sheet underneath them. However, if there’s limited staffing, a plastic board is used to facilitate the process. Though this alternative can ease the physical effort required, it’s not a foolproof plan. In fact, it doesn’t reduce enough friction to compensate for the lack of human resources, resulting in precarious and often dangerous affairs. Simply put, when nurses reposition a patient, the success of a lateral transfer is contingent upon their combined strength and communication.

Unfortunately, these ineffective solutions predispose medical professionals to musculoskeletal disorders. Studies show that healthcare workers are 31 percent more likely to endure musculoskeletal pain caused by handling injuries. In addition to being debilitating, these injuries can also cost hospitals a pretty penny. Depending on the extent of the claim, hospitals may have to cover hundreds of thousands of dollars in injury costs.

To shed light on how unreliable these practices are, the Bureau of Labor Statistics conducted a study on safe patient handling programs. Their findings concluded that hospitals that implement secure lateral transfer procedures are 73 percent less likely to experience nursing or repositioning injuries. Using this information, the House introduced the Nurse and Health Care Worker Protection Act in 2015. In essence, this bill states that the Department of Labor is required to protect medical professionals from musculoskeletal disorders by improving mobility, patient handling, and injury prevention standards.

How Lateral Transfers Repositioning Risks Are Being Solved

With the growing prevalence of handling-related injuries, air-assisted transfer systems were developed. At the forefront of these developments was AirPal. This company is touted as the first to introduce air-assisted transfer systems, and their invention inspired others to follow suit. HoverMatt, for instance, offers air transfer systems that breathe security and physical ease into repositioning patients.

In addition to reducing friction, these systems also provide much-needed support. With these added elements, less manpower is required to oversee a safe lateral transfer. It also makes it easier for nurses to boost patients up in bed. To promote patient and staff safety, we at SPH Medical implement these cutting-edge systems into hospitals.

Why Choose Assisted Lateral Transfers Equipment?

With its vast benefits, more caregivers and hospitals are opting for this modern equipment. Most notably, air-assisted transfer systems eliminate handling risks, but they also provide a more comfortable experience for the patient. In other words, with air-assisted transfer equipment, patients don’t have to endure any discomfort. Traditional lateral transfers are often accompanied by unease and difficulty. With this savvy technology, a smooth transition is promised from one surface to the next.

With assistance from air transfer systems, patients say they feel as if they’re floating. Above all else, air-assisted transfer systems streamline repositioning matters, making the patient feel like less of a burden. When multiple hands are required to carry out this task, it can make the patient uncomfortable and self-conscious. Fortunately, air-assisted equipment brings patients great peace of mind, allowing them to receive optimal in-home or hospital care.

CategoriesPatient Handling

Epidural Safety for Patients and Staff

by sphmedicaladmin

What is Epidural Safety?

Epidural Analgesia’s are used to reduce or completely eliminate pain. It is when the doctor inserts opioids or local anesthesia in their patient’s epidural space, which blocks the nerve roots. Staff and patients can be protected from injury when exercising epidural safety during this procedure.

Local anesthesia can include opioids such as morphine, hydromorphone, and fentanyl or drugs of a different class such as mepivacaine, lidocaine, bupivacaine, and ropivacaine. Mepivacaine and lidocaine can last up to 2.5 hours. Bupivacaine and ropivacaine are the options of choice for continuous epidural effusion because they last 4 to 7 hours. The walking epidural is a mix of narcotics, epinephrine, and local anesthesia that the doctor inserts into the patient’s epidural space.

Epidural Analgesia’s are often used during child birth to assist the woman in managing her pain. They are also utilized during surgery to numb the patient. Epidurals are often effective in blocking pain from the waist down. Their dosage is calculated by an anesthesiologist based on the type of epidural and how much of the patient needs to be numbed. They can eliminate pain for people in short term or long term situations.

Common Applications

Epidurals come in different types, depending on what they are being used for. Childbirth uses the standard epidural and the combined spinal epidural, which is also called the walking epidural. The walking epidural involves the administration needle coming in contact with the fluid around the spinal cord, whereas the needle does not meet the fluid around the spinal cord in the standard epidural.

The Benefits for Patients and Nurses

The benefits of having an epidural are plentiful. The walking epidural is beneficial because it allows for the mother to still have an awareness of the lower half of her body when giving birth. This allows the patient and nurse to coordinate the rhythm of her pushes. A walking epidural may or may not allow the mother to do cat and cow stretches. The standard epidural is beneficial because it completely eliminates feeling, which can avoid patients going into shock during invasive surgery, trauma, or child birth.

Epidural Safety and the Risks of Epidurals

The risks for patients when getting either type of epidural are low blood pressure, being mandated to stay in bed, and having to rely on a catheter. The catheter can cause problems such as the rare case of hematoma, epidural abscess, postdural puncture syndrome, and infection at the site of insertion.

Standard epidurals leave the patient with no feeling in the lower extremities, which can prevent the ability to shift in bed and the ability to move the baby into a more favorable position when birthing. Standard epidurals also involve the risk of local anesthetic toxicity, which can present with irritability, seizures, circumoral paresthesia, dysgeusia, cardiac dysrhythmias, tremors, and tinnitus.

The drugs used for epidurals can also have side effects on the patient. The opioids commonly used can cause nausea, vomiting, respiratory depression, decreased levels of consciousness, and the excessive itchiness all over the body.

Nurses and medical personnel are at risk for getting injuries when administering epidurals as well. Positioning the patient correctly and supporting them while administering the epidural can be a potentially dangerous task. This has typically been a manual process of holding and supporting the patient. Manual patient handling is the cause of many back injuries for nurses across the country as well as strains and sprains. Musculoskeletal Disorders The Epidural Positioning Device is a key tool to keep the patient and doctor safe. It assists patients with maintaining the optimal position for their epidural to be administered. This is because it supports cervical, thoracic, and lumbar flexion. This positioning is essential because a patient can be paralyzed if they were to slip out of position while the needle was injected. The chair prevents doctors and staff from straining as well. It also allows patients more personal space, as opposed to traditional methods of epidural safety administration.

CategoriesInfection Prevention

NIOSH N95 Mask The Gold Standard for Protection

by sphmedicaladmin

It has been a year since COVID-19 first changed the world. Today, masks are a common sight around the world. However, while most people have accepted a mask as a part of daily life, supply is still a pressing issue for the worldwide market. The future for masks is still up for discussion. The future starts by building up the supply. The global supply of N95 masks is still not sufficient. Regular consumers may not realize just how valuable the N95 mask is. These masks are much different from the cloth or disposable masks that most people wear on a daily basis. The N95 mask is designed to filter out 95 percent of airborne particles. This level of efficacy makes a NIOSH N95 mask the gold standard for protection during the pandemic.

To better understand the effectiveness of such masks, it is first important to distinguish between two different types. Some N95 masks are rated for surgical use. This is a key distinction. A Makrite N95 mask with a surgical rating has been tested for fluid resistance. This fluid resistance is critical in a surgical setting because of the inherent risks. The average person does not always need fluid resistance, but it is a useful tool for medical workers. One excellent example of a mask for such settings is the Makrite 910-N95FMX. It is the latest option that is NIOSH N95 Mask certified, and it offers dual protection from fluid and particles. In many ways, the Makrite 910-N95FMX represents the future of masking. Better quality and better protection will help contain the pandemic.

Given the effectiveness of the model 9500-N95 mask, it would make sense for everyone to use one. However, supply is still limited. According to official sources, the general public is still being discouraged from wearing the NIOSH N95 mask model. Instead, the supply is being prioritized for the medical community.

There does seem to be mobilization on this front. The United States recently invoked the Defense Protection Act. This act is designed to boost the production of critical supplies during times of crisis. Moreover, according to major suppliers, the act will help companies control the price and supply chain of such products.

That is good news, but it is not likely to fix the problem entirely. In many hospitals around the country, medical workers have to wear their coveted masks for up to five shifts. Mask use has increased 500 percent since last July. If medical employees are struggling to find new masks, the general public has an even tougher time. Most retailers have not had any stock of N95 mask products in a year.

This all comes as the pressure to mask up mounts. The United States is taking a more proactive approach, and the government has recommended that everyone wears masks for 100 days. Masks are now required on most public transit across the country. As new strains of COVID-19 become prevalent, some experts are recommending that the general public use a process of double masking to increase protection.

While vaccine distribution is expected to help turn the tide in the pandemic, the need for quality masks is not going away any time soon. Medical professionals still need the top tier of protection with model 9500-N95 masks. In order to secure a good supply, medical centers should work only with trusted suppliers. There have been many alternative supply solutions during the pandemic, but these options are less reputable and offer subpar results. When it comes to masks, this is not a time to cut corners. The safety of the medical workforce depends on quality.

This is why a trusted supplier like SPH Medical is such a good option. SPH Medical streamlines the supply chain by reducing the number of touchpoints. Without the middle man, SPH Medical works directly with factories to connect hospitals with the medical supplies they need like the Makrite N95 mask. Makrite has been serving the medical community since 1984, and it continues to be an important player thanks to its reliable masks.

The future is still uncertain. Therefore, it is important to have suppliers you trust. You can keep your staff safe with Makrite masks. Ensure your supply by working with SPH Medical.

CategoriesPatient Handling

Epidurals and Spinal Blocks

by sphmedicaladmin

Most Common Use of Epidurals

There are many times when a patient wants to be or needs to be awake during surgery. The classic case is the Caesarean section when a mother cannot have her child vaginally. She wants to see and hold her baby the moment it’s born. This procedure is possible with the use of an epidural block. By injecting numbing medication into the epidural space just above the spinal cord, the woman can have surgery and not feel pain. And she can hold her baby. The most common use of epidurals is to relieve pain during labor when combined with CBD.

In order to understand what happens in an epidural or a spinal block, you have to know a little about the anatomy of the spinal cord and the coverings of the cord, called meninges.

Anatomy

The spinal cord itself is a long rope in which the fibers are neurons. The cord gets smaller as it gets farther away from the brain. This is because the neurons leave the cord and go out to innervate various body parts.

The meninges are fibrous coverings over the cord to protect it and keep the cerebrospinal fluid inside. The CSF circulates from the brain down along the cord.

There are three layers that cover the cord. The pia mater is the one next to the cord. It is covered by the arachnoid mater, which, in turn, is enclosed by the dura mater.

The pia mater adheres to the cord tightly. It runs up into the brain, following the gyrae and sulci and carries the blood vessels that supply the cord.

Above the pia mater is an open space called the subarachnoid space. This is where the CSF is found. The arachnoid mater is the roof of the subarachnoid space. The arachnoid mater has no innervation and no blood vessels. The subdural space contains fat and the venous sinuses.

The dura mater is two layers. One forms the floor of the subdural space. The other is the lining of the bone of the spinal column, forming the roof. Between the two linings is the epidurals space.

Epidural Block and Spinal Block

Epidural Block
Unlike the subarachnoid and the subdural spaces, the epidural space extends all the way from the brain to the end of the spinal cord. Under sterile conditions, local anesthesia is injected into the skin and a needle is inserted through the skin of the back into the epidural space. A sterile catheter is placed within the space, angled down towards the patient’s feet. The needle is removed. The catheter stays in place as long as it is needed so that the patient can receive further doses of medication, if required. Epidural pain relief is highly effective.

Spinal Block
The spinal block is simpler. Under sterile conditions and local anesthesia, a needle is inserted into the subarachnoid space, where the CSF is. Medication is injected into the space and the needle is withdrawn. This is a one-time injection only.

Proper positioning of the patient is essential in either of these procedures. The needle has to be placed in a tiny space no more than 0.4 mm deep. That’s 0.015 inches. Finding that tiny space and not being off to the side at all requires the hands of an expert. Anesthesiologists generally do these procedures.

They often use an epidural positioning device or an EPD. This epidural chair holds the patient very still and in the perfect position for the procedure. An EPD helps immensely when the patient is having severe pain during labor.

Labor pain can be intense and labors can be long and hard. Many women desire the epidurals. But not everyone can be guaranteed to hold still during the catheter insertion. Injury to the meninges or even the spinal cord itself can occur if the patient moves suddenly during the procedure. Nurses have been injured as well, trying to hold women still when the labor pains hit. Using the epidural chair keeps the nurses safe and minimizes the risks to the patient.

Many Labor and Delivery units are using the EPD to help improve safety for new moms and their babies and equally as important to insure the safety of our nurses.

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