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SPH Medical is a leading provider of solutions focused on reducing risk of injury to patient handling staff, and reducing hospital acquired infections and pressure ulcers.

Breathable Repositioning Sheets that are disposable
CategoriesInfection Prevention,  Patient Handling,  Slings and Lifts

The Importance of Disposable Repositioning Sheets for Patient Care

by sphmedicaladmin

It is no secret that working as a nurse can be physically demanding and often leads to experiencing injuries while on the job. Preventing these disorders in nursing work environments should be a top priority. One way to reduce the risk of injury for nursing staff is through the implementation of appropriate patient lift systems, specifically disposable repositioning sheets. The disposable repositioning sheet has become increasingly popular in recent years due to their compatibility with any hook and loop patient lift, ability to reduce injury risk, and improve efficiency of patient care and comfort.

Disposable repositioning sheets are made of breathable material and are designed to work in combination with overhead patient or mobile lifts. They are ideal for patients who are unable to get out of bed or move on their own, and are used to help reposition or turn them in a manner that is safe for the patient and the nurse. Choosing the right sheet is important. The sheet should be designed to minimize friction and shear forces between the patient’s skin and the bed or other surface. This helps prevent skin breakdown and reduces the risk of pressure ulcers.Reduce Nursing Injuries when repositioning patients

Disposable sheets are an ideal solution for patient care in a hospital or long-term care facility. They are intended for single use, which makes it easy to reduce cross-contamination in patient rooms. They are also cost-effective, considering the overwhelming workload that nursing care professionals undergo every day. This, combined with the need for better patient comfort and reduced pressure ulcers, makes these sheets an essential addition to any nursing care environment.

One of the primary benefits of using disposable repositioning sheets is that they help to prevent injuries. Nurses and physical therapists who use these sheets report that they have experienced fewer injuries as a result. In fact, the right sheet can even help nurses avoid injuries in the long-term by reducing the physical strain of the job on the body.

Another benefit of using disposable repositioning sheets is that they help streamline the patient care process. Using mechanical assistance to reposition and turn patients makes the tasks easier and more efficient for nurses. This helps nurses to do their jobs better and faster, which in turn can have a positive impact on patient outcomes.

In conclusion, the disposable repositioning sheet has become an essential tool for nursing care professionals. The right sheet can provide the necessary support for patients, reduce the risk of injuries to nurses, and streamline the patient care process. Choosing high-quality sheets is important and is a decision that should be based on careful consideration of the needs of the patient and the nursing environment. By using these sheets, nursing professionals can provide better patient care with fewer risks of injury to themselves. Overall, nurses and physical therapists must continue to adapt to using new and innovative solutions to improve patient outcomes and work conditions.

Disposable Repositioning Sheets prevent back injuries

Contact SPH Medical today to get a quote for single patient use repositioning sheets.

Reduce Nursing Injuries when repositioning patients
CategoriesPatient Handling,  Slings and Lifts

Revolutionizing Patient Care with Disposable Repositioning Sheets

by sphmedicaladmin

Nursing is a demanding and physically taxing profession. Nurses are on their feet for hours at a time and are required to lift and move patients often. As a result, injuries are not uncommon in the nursing field. However, the good news is that these injuries can be avoided through the use of proper patient lift systems. In recent years, disposable repositioning sheets have emerged as a popular solution due to their ability to improve the efficiency of patient care while also reducing the risk of injury.

Disposable repositioning sheets are specially designed to work in combination with overhead patient lifts or mobile lifts. They are made from breathable materials that are soft to the touch, making them a comfortable option for patients. The sheets are compatible with any hook and loop patient lift, making them an easy addition to any medical facility. By using mechanical assistance to reposition and turn patients, nurses can avoid injuries caused by excessive physical strain.

Choosing the right sheet is critical in ensuring the safety of both the patient and the nurse. Nurses and physical therapists should choose sheets that are made from high-quality materials and are durable enough to withstand regular use. The sheets should also have sufficient weight capacity to accommodate patients of varying weights and sizes. Using appropriate patient lift systems that are compatible with disposable repositioning sheets is also essential.

Disposable repositioning sheets are not only beneficial for preventing nursing injuries but also for improving the efficiency of patient care. The sheets allow for smoother and more efficient patient repositioning, turning, and other common nursing tasks. A few other tasks that nurses perform include changing bed linen in an occupied bed. Changing bed linen is typically a manual process of logrolling the patient back and forth to remove the old sheets while placing the new ones. With a repositioning sheet and a patient lift, the patient can be turned using the lift! This virtually eliminates the risk of injury to the nurse. Turning a patient every two hours is also another common nursing task. Nurses turn patients to offload pressure on bony prominences like the coccyx and the hips and shoulders. With a repositioning sheet one nurse can safely turn a patient, even a morbidly obese patient safely and they don’t have to wait for 3 other nurse to come help them! The repositioning sheet also provide a provides a breathable surface that allows moisture to pass through further reducing the risk of skin damage or bedsores.

Not all repositioning sheets are created the same however. Some sheets include horizontal straps that are sewn onto the sheet from side to side to create the loops that attach to the lift. These straps are typically on the under side of the sheet, but when a patient is lying on the sheet the straps create additional unwanted pressure on the patients’ skin.

SPH Medical has been working to continually improve patient care and improve outcomes while reducing risk of injury to nursing staff and therapists. The breathable repositioning sheet was born out of the desire to address the number one cause of injury which is repositioning in bed. This task is also known as boosting. In the old days nurses would say we had to drag them up in bed as they used the bed sheets or draw sheet to do just that. However the breathable repositioning sheet is now the nurses best tool for efficiency, safety, and improved patient care.

There are a few key features that set this sheet apart from other disposable or single patient use sheets on the market today. The SPH Medical breathable repositioning sheet has been tested to meet the needs of leading ICU’s, Critical Care floors, Med Surgical units and more. A few key features are:

  • 1000lb weight capacity – So all patients of any size can be boosted or turned
  • 6 straps on either side
  • 3 color coded destination loops within each strap
  • No straps underneath the patient – so no additional pressure!
  • Tested for breathability (MVT) and pressure mapped
  • Approved by WOCN wound care nurses across the country!
  • Compatible with all hook and loop lift systems

Of course one possible concern about disposable repositioning sheets is their potential environmental impact. However, many companies are working to reduce the impact by creating eco-friendly materials that can be easily disposed of without harm to the environment. Additionally, many hospitals and care facilities have implemented recycling and programs or reprocessing programs to reduce the amount of waste generated.

In conclusion, nursing injuries can be prevented with the proper use of patient lift systems combined with the optimal breathable repositioning sheet. Disposable repositioning sheets have emerged as a popular evidence-based solution that significantly reduces the risk of injury while also improving patient skin integrity and comfort. Nurses and physical therapists should choose sheets that are made from high-quality materials, have sufficient weight capacity, and are compatible with their hook and loop style patient lift systems. Eco-friendly options are available, and recycling programs can be implemented to reduce the environmental impact. By prioritizing patient and caregiver safety, healthcare facilities can create safer and more efficient working environments for all nurses, nurse assistants, therapists, and other technical employees that involved with direct patient care.

SPH Medical Air Transfer System
CategoriesPatient Handling

Air Transfer Systems Improve Patient Care

by sphmedicaladmin

Air Transfer Systems were first introduced 30 years ago, and today they continue to be one of the safest and most trusted methods of transferring patients from bed to stretcher. Every nurse knows that lifting and repositioning patients can be a challenging and risky task, but with the help of air transfer systems, these tasks can become more manageable, safer, and more efficient. In this Article, we will discuss everything you need to know about air transfer systems, including how they work, their benefits, and the types of air transfer mattresses available.

Why Use An Air Transfer System For Hospital Patients

Air transfer systems are commonly used in almost every hospital department, from the emergency room to the intensive care unit. One of the main advantages of air transfer systems is their ability to reduce the risk of back injuries to nurses and other caregivers.

Air Supply for Air Transfer System by SPH Medical

These systems work by inflating an air mattress using an air supply or blower which connects to the mattress via a hose. The inflated mattress allows air to be released through tiny pinholes on the underside. This virtually eliminates any friction, making it much easier to transfer patients.

The air transfer mattress is available in two different types, reusable and disposable. The reusable mattress needs to be thoroughly decontaminatedLaunderable Air Transfer Mattress between patients or sent to the laundry. On the other hand, the disposable version is meant for a single patient. And after being used throughout the patients’ entire length of stay, or after being soiled, they can be disposed of safely. While the reusable air mattress may seem more cost-effective, it is essential to note that cleaning them requires a considerable amount of time and resources, which is why many hospitals prefer to use disposable air mattresses.

One of the significant advantages of air transfer systems is their ability to support heavy patients.  SPH Medical’s mattresses supporting up to 1000lbs. This means that the system can significantly reduce the strain on nurses’ and caregivers’ bodies when transferring or positioning bariatric patients.  In addition, the air transfer system enables them to transfer patients with more ease, ess force and fewer people. As a result, the chances of injuries to both the patient and the caregiver is significantly reduced.

Improve Patient Comfort

Another advantage of air transfer systems is their ability to improve patient comfort. Since the mattress is composed of air, the patient’s body is cushioned and supported through the transfer process. Additionally, the design eliminates any pressure points, ensuring that patients with fragile skin, such as those with pressure ulcers, do not experience any discomfort.

In conclusion, air transfer systems have been essential in the healthcare industry since their introduction 30 years ago. They offer several benefits, including reducing the risk of back injuries, supporting heavy patients, and improving patient comfort. While reusable air mattresses may seem more cost-effective, it is essential to consider the time and resources they require for sanitization. The disposable air mattress, on the other hand, offers a convenient and safe solution while also eliminating the chances of cross-infection between patients. These systems have revolutionized patient transfer processes and continue to play a significant role in improving healthcare.

Nurse injury prevention and the well being of all our nurses is a top concern for Chief Nursing Officers across the country. For more information about the benefit of Air Transfer Systems and how they can benefit your healthcare facility contact SPH Medical.

Two caregivers can easily reposition or transfer a patient
CategoriesPatient Handling

The Benefits of Air Transfer Systems

by sphmedicaladmin

Nurses and caregivers are often faced with the challenge of transferring patients from a bed to a stretcher without risking injury to themselves or the patient. Fortunately, the invention and the benefits of Air Transfer Systems has revolutionized patient care and provided a safer and more efficient way to transfer patients. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of Air Transfer Systems, how they work, and why they are one of the most successful methods of transferring patients without injury.

Air Transfer Systems work by using a mattress that inflates with air, lifting the patient and eliminating friction. This makes it much easier for nurses to transfer and reposition patients, reducing the risk of injury to both the patient and the caregiver. The air mattress is supported by tiny pinholes on the underside of theAir reduces friction to reduce the force required to transfer and reposition mattress, which help regulate air flow and provide a comfortable and safe surface for the patient.

Counting the Benefits of Air Transfer Systems

There are two types of Air Transfer Mattresses: reusable and disposable. Reusable mattresses are cleaned and disinfected between patients, while disposable mattresses are used only once and then thrown away. Both types have their advantages and are commonly used in hospitals around the world.Air Transfer Mats reduce injuries and reduce hospital expenses

One of the biggest benefits of Air Transfer Systems is the reduced risk of injury. Lifting and transferring patients can be dangerous for both the patient and caregiver. Using an Air Transfer System eliminates the need for lifting, reducing the risk of injury for both parties. This has a positive impact on patient care and staff efficiency.

Another benefit of Air Transfer Systems is the reduced use of manual labor. Transferring patients manually can take a lot of time and strength from caregivers, which leads to fatigue,  overexertion, and injuries. With an Air Transfer System, the patient is easily and quickly moved without much effort from the caregiver. This saves time, energy, and reduces the need for additional staff members in the transfer process.

Air Transfer Systems are also cost-effective. Considering the coverage and utility of a single air transfer system, they may be considerably more cost effective than mobile patient lifts and slings.  While the initial investment for purchasing the system for an entire hospital may seem high, the long-term savings are significant. Switching to Air Transfer Systems can reduce the number of work-related injuries, which can save money on workers compensation costs, medical expenses, and insurance premiums.  And experts have said that the indirect cost of workplace injuries may be 6-10 times the cost of the direct medical expenses.

In conclusion, Air Transfer Systems have become an essential tool for patient care and staff efficiency. They are safe, efficient, cost-effective, and have revolutionized how patients are moved and transferred in hospitals around the world. By reducing the risks of injury, the use of manual labor, and providing a comfortable and safe surface for patients, Air Transfer Systems have significantly improved patient care and staff working conditions. If you are a hospital purchasing director or a nurse, consider investing in Air Transfer Systems to protect your staff and patients and provide top-quality care.

For more information about the single patient use Air Transfer Mattress and the cost savings of using these with your existing blowers and how they can benefit your healthcare facility please contact SPH Medical today.

Repositioning Sheet reduces risk of injury to Nurses
CategoriesInfection Prevention,  Patient Handling,  Slings and Lifts

The Importance of Disposable Repositioning Sheets in Reducing Injury Risk for Nurses

by sphmedicaladmin

Patient Lifting and Disposable Repositioning Sheets

Nursing is a demanding profession that often requires the physical lifting and repositioning of patients. Unfortunately, this task can lead to injuries for nurses, many of which can be prevented through the implementation of the appropriate patient lift systems. An increasingly popular solution is the use of disposable repositioning sheets. These sheets can greatly reduce the risk of injury while simultaneously improving the efficiency of patient care and patient comfort. In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of using disposable repositioning sheets and how to choose the right one.

One of the significant benefits of using disposable repositioning sheets is the reduction of injury risk for nurses. By utilizing mechanical assistance to reposition and turn patients, nurses can avoid the physical strain that often leads to musculoskeletal disorders. Musculoskeletal disorders are the leading cause of injury for healthcare workers, with approximately $7 billion in workers’ compensation costs incurred each year. By using disposable repositioning sheets, these costs can be minimized while simultaneously improving patient care.

When choosing a disposable repositioning sheet, it’s essential to consider its breathability. Sheets that are not breathable can lead to heat and moisture build up and skin breakdown for patients. The most popular materials for disposable sheets are non-woven, cotton-poly blend, spun-bound material, or combinations of both. SPH Medical offers single patient use sheets that have been tested to ensure they are breathable, comfortable, and offer the necessary durability required for efficient patient repositioning.  In addition they offer a 1000lb weight capacity to ensure all patients can be safety repositioned and turned.

Another important factor to consider when selecting disposable repositioning sheets is its size. Sheets come in a variety of sizes, and selecting the appropriate size is crucial to ensure the patient’s maximum comfort and safety. Sheets that are too small can cause friction and skin irritation, while sheets that are too large can drape too far over the edge of the bed and straps can touch the floor.  SPH Medical offers three sizes of breathable repositioning sheets to fit every need.

Disposable repositioning sheets also offer clinicians the convenience they need. They are easy to stock as a supply item and can be kept on the unit for easy access. Sheets can be disposed of after they are used, eliminating the need for laundering, which can be time-consuming and costly.Reduce risk of Injury to Nurses during repositioning

How many hospital owned specialty items get lost in the dreaded laundry system? Some hospitals report loosing hundreds of thousands of dollars of launderable slings and sheets in the laundry. The challenge has been primarily with outside laundry service providers.  They don’t take responsibility for customer owned goods and charge a significant amount per item to launder them.  The disposable nature of the sheets also prevents cross-contamination between patients and contributes to maintaining a cleaner and safer environment for nurses and patients.

Disposable repositioning sheets are gaining popularity because of their ability to reduce injury risks for healthcare workers while improving patient comfort and care. In this blog post, we’ve discussed the benefits of using disposable repositioning sheets, including their breathability, appropriate sizing, and convenience. Selecting the right sheet for each patient is important, and those who work in the nursing profession should ensure that they have access to these sheets in on the hospital floor where they are needed on a daily basis to provide the best patient care possible, boosting and turning patients.  Nurses are important to the hospital and so is their safety and well being.  Using breathable repositioning sheets is a wise investment for hospitals who care about the safety of their nurses and patients.

Visit the product page to learn more about SPH Medical’s breathable repositioning sheet which has now become the standard of care for many leading hospitals across the country.

CategoriesPatient Handling

Nurses At Risk Of Injury

by sphmedicaladmin

Why Are Nurses At Risk of Injury

Perhaps the number one cause of nursing injury is a patient repositioning task. Registered nurses are an integral part of the healthcare field and are essential to hospitals being able to run effectively. One of the most important roles that nurses have is ensuring patient comfort and safety. However, often while they are fulfilling these roles, they must sacrifice their own comfort and safety. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurses experienced 10,790 non-fatal injuries that required at least one day away from the job in 2016. That is a rate of incidence at 104.2 cases per 10,000 employees working full-time, which can be compared to a much lower number of 91.7 cases per 10,000 full-time employees for other occupations. The conclusion: nurses at risk of injury.  45.6% of these injuries were attributed to overexertion. Overexertion includes excessive physical effort in the forms of twisting, bending, and lifting. Two of the most physically taxing motions that nurses perform regularly with patients in the hospital are lateral transfers and repositioning by boosting up in bed.

Safe Patient Handling (SPH) Medical’s Air Transfer System aims to increase safety and decrease incidences of nursing injury. The Single Patient Use Air Transfer Mat works by being placed deflated and flat under the patient. With a simple press of a button, the air system inflates the mat creating a level surface with four accessible handles on each side. The nurse can then connect safety buckles across the patient for safety and perform a lateral transfer with ease.  Two nurses simply grasp the handles and float the patient from one surface to the other on a thin cushion of air.

The bottom of the mat has hundreds of small perforations that blow out air, creating a barrier between the mat and the transfer surface. This greatly reduces friction and allows the caregiver to use significantly less force with less strain on the body to perform the transfer. SPH Medical’s Air Transfer System reduces repositioning injury as well by assisting with boosting up in bed.  After turning on the air supply, the nurse can use the handles to easily glide the patient anywhere on the bed, ensuring optimal positioning. Patient transfers and repositioning that used to take up to 4 nurses can now be safely accomplished by only two staff members.  Patients of all sizes can easily be repositioned without risk of injury to nursing staff.

The Single Patient Use Air Transfer Mat can be easily placed under patients. In units of the hospital where there are high numbers of total care patients, like in the ICU and ER, all beds can feasibly be premade by housekeeping staff to include the Air Transfer Mat for quick use. However, even if this is not an option, the Air Transfer Mat can be easily placed under the patient utilizing standardized linen changing techniques or log rolling.

Sanitary pads and sheets can be placed over the mat to keep it clean and comfortable for the patient. Since the mat is for single-patient use, the risk of infections spreading from patient to patient is nearly eliminated. It also means that nurses do not have to wait for laundered mats to be placed back in the supply closet after going through the laundry system.  This availability is crucial for both the patient and the nurse. Having critical supplies on hand is key to avoiding a near miss injury that can be avoided.  Additionally adequate supply on hand means that a lateral transfer can be performed when a patient needs to be moved to a gurney quickly for a lifesaving procedure, surgery, or test. There are countless situations where patients do not have a second to spare, and nurses often have high caseloads where they simply do not have time to wait around for supplies to be ready.  Nor do they have time to wait for up to four other nurses to help with the lateral transfer over to a gurney.  The SPH Medical Air Transfer system improves patient throughput and efficiency.

The average cost of a strain injury is $32,023 and is not always 100% covered by worker’s compensation. Direct medical expenses are only the tip of the iceberg.  Financial experts estimated that the indirect cost of injuries may be 10 times the direct cost.  Nurses can also take additional financial hits by having to miss work or cut down on hours due to pain, sometimes chronic pain, and exhaustion.

With SPH Medical’s Air Transfer System, manual patient handling can become a thing of the past, and nurses can get back to enjoying their lives injury free. Avoiding injury while working in the patient care field is important to ensure a long career.  Too many nurses have been injured which puts increasing pressure on the supply of well trained and experienced nurses.  As many of our baby boomer nurses begin retiring we’ll need to make it easier to stay in the workforce injury free to share their decades of knowledge with the younger nurses.  By avoiding injury our nurses can indulge more in the things they love while they are off the clock. They may also have more energy to engage with loved ones and lead an overall happier, healthier life, now and in retirement.

The SPH Medical RoWalker improves patient outcomes
CategoriesPatient Handling

Early Mobility and the RoWalker

by sphmedicaladmin

Medically speaking, early patient mobility means mobilizing or getting a patient out of bed within hours of their intensive care stay in a hospital. And there are several reasons why this is of utmost importance, notes an evidence based study from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. In that study, researchers revealed that early mobility reduces a patient’s chances of suffering from muscle weakness and delirium, which are both, unfortunately, quite common among bedridden patients.

But reducing the risk of muscle weakness and delirium are not the only benefits that come from getting patients up and out of bed as soon as possible. In a separate study published jointly by the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, researchers found that hospital patients who spend less time confined to their hospital beds are less likely to encounter the following health problems:

  • Decubitus ulcers
  • Various blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis
  • Pneumonia
  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Weighs in on the Benefits of Early Patient Mobility

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, one of twelve agencies within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, found that early patient mobility in mechanically ventilated patients can lead to shorter hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stays. The same was said to apply to lowering a patient’s chances of suffering from the following:

  • Sleeping disorders
  • Nutritional deficiencies
  • Mobility issues, such as weak bones, weak muscles, and stiff joints

Why More Hospitals Are Using Safe Patient Handling Programs to Ambulate Bedridden Patients

Although hospital medical teams can position and reposition patients as needed for medical treatments, doing so is hardly efficient. Further, multiple studies show it puts medical teams at risk of suffering overexertion-related musculoskeletal disorders. Available data shows these disorders, which can cause severe back, neck, shoulder, arm, and leg pain, contributed to more than 8,700 missed work days among hospital medical teams in 2016. To improve efficiency and keep patients and hospital medical teams safe, many hospitals have implemented safe patient-handling programs to help mobilize bedridden patients.

What Is a Safe Patient Handling Program?

Succinctly put, a safe patient handling program is a program that comprises extensive training and assistive devices that help medical teams safely and efficiently lift, move, support, reposition, and ambulate patients. One assistive device many hospitals use today to keep their medical teams and patients safe is the RoWalker from SPH Medical. For those who have never seen one, a RoWalker is a fully adjustable platform walker that aids medical teams in freeing patients from the beds that confine them and helping to get them up and standing, taking first steps, and then walking around the unit as they progress functionally. The device also has armrests and handlebars, which help with ergonomics and overall comfort. But it does not end there in terms of what it offers patients and medical teams.

What Hospitals Are Saying About the SPH Medical RoWalker

Several studies show hospitals are beyond happy with the SPH Medical RoWalker. The reason for that supreme elation partly stems from the fact that the SPH Medical RoWalker, designed based on recommendations from leading cardio-thoracic surgeons, physical therapists, and respiratory therapists, can support patients weighing up to 400 pounds. That means patient-handling tasks require fewer medical teams; as such, those team members are free to participate in other activities that are also critical to that patient’s overall care. Many hospitals also like how the RoWalker can carry many of the things that most hospital patients need as they move away from bedside and walk down the hallway, some of which include

  • An oxygen tank
  • Drainage bags
  • An IV pole
  • A small cardiac monitor

Indeed, the benefits of implementing a safe patient-handling program in a hospital are plenty. And that applies to hospital teams and patients alike. To learn more about RoWalker and other devices that go hand in hand with a safe patient-handling program, consider speaking with an SPH Medical associate today.

Improve Spinal Block Safety as well as Epidural and Lumbar Puncture safety with the Epidural Positioning Device
CategoriesPatient Handling

Advancements in Spinal Block Safety

by sphmedicaladmin

 

The Epidural Positioning Device Improving Spinal Block Safety

There have been many advancements in Safe Patient Handling over the recent years. One very simple advancement has been the SPH Medical Epidural Positioning Device. This simple tool offers improved patient comfort and safety while positioning patients in the ideal flexed spine position. Most importantly it protects the caregivers, nurses, and anesthesia techs that use it and prevents staff injuries. When patients have surgery like a hip or knee replacement or go into labor before delivering a baby, they are commonly given pain relief via an epidural injection or spinal block. Any hospital unit can utilize an epidural positioning device (EPD) to improve a patient’s stability and comfort while they are receiving a spinal block. This device, also known as an Epidural Chair, decreases the risk of musculoskeletal injury to clinical staff as they position a patient to provide an epidural procedure as well as improves spinal block safety. Using this specialized equipment makes it easier for nurses, anesthesiologists, and other health care professionals to engage in safe patient handling practices at all times.

Many surgeons who perform complete knee or hip replacements prefer to recommend spinal blocks rather than general anesthesia for their patients. This treatment allows patients to start moving right away as they recover from surgery. The epidural positioning device can safely position patients in a seated position during many different types of procedures. Nursing staff and other qualified medical professionals in a Surgery Department or Labor and Delivery Unit can make adjustments to the device so that it can accommodate a variety of body types.

Safety and comfort improved with the EPD for Spinal Blocks, Epidurals, Lumbar Puncture and Thoracentesis

Safely Perform an Epidural or Spinal Blocks with the EPD

When a patient is seated at bedside or on a stretcher supported by an Epidural Chair, medical professionals can safely perform a spinal block or epidural procedure without difficulty. Funny enough, it’s not actually a chair as it has no seat! The patient actually sits on the bed or gurney and The EPD is brought over to them to provide support. As a patient leans forward against the EPD, the device promotes an ideal degree of thoracic, lumbar, and cervical spinal flexion that makes it easy for an anesthesiologist to insert a needle between their vertebrae. The specialty chair supports the patient so that staff members will never need to use their own weight to stabilize, hold, fix, or balance their body. Nurses and other clinical professionals who bear the weight of their patients can suffer sustained physical stress that can damage their own joints after a period of time. An unstable, large, or medicated patient can easily harm a staff member via improper physical contact. Using this specialized chair also decreases the chance that a patient or staff member will be injured from a slip or fall. Injuries can also be caused when sliding or rolling furniture or equipment strikes or collides with a patient or staff member.

An Epidural Chair can greatly benefit a hospital’s orthopedic surgery department or labor and delivery unit. This device is easy to add to any inventory of essential equipment. Keeping and using an epidural positioning device may increase spinal block safety and decrease a hospital’s risk of liability. According to researchers at Stanford University, the number of annual epidural procedures undertaken in the United States is increasing. The journal Anesthesiology published a report in 2018 stating that from 2009 to 2015, a large percentage of the 17 million women who delivered babies received a spinal analgesic. 68% of women who were at a normal weight and 76% of women who were overweight received this epidural treatment during labor. In 2008, 10% fewer pregnant women received the same epidural procedure. As spinal blocks become more frequent, patients and staff face greater chances of experiencing accidental injury, doing harm to equipment, wasting time, and enduring unfortunate or unsatisfying situations. Adding an EPD to a hospital’s depository of specialty equipment promotes safety and well-being for staff and patients and enhances the overall healthcare experience.

Sources:

Anesthesiology September 2018, Vol. 129, 448–458.

Tracie White. “Epidurals increase in popularity, Stanford study finds.” Scope 10K, Stanford Medicine, 26 Jun. 2018. Accessed 3 May 2022.

Alexander J. Butwick, Cynthia A. Wong, and Nan Guo. “Maternal Body Mass Index and Use of Labor Neuraxial Analgesia: A Population-based Retrospective Cohort Study.”Anesthesiology, Vol. 129, Sept. 2018, ASA Publications. Accessed 3 May 2022.

Spinal Block Safety is improved with the SPH Medical EPD.
CategoriesPatient Handling

Staff Safety During Spinal Blocks

by sphmedicaladmin

In the past, patients who required analgesia given through an epidural or spinal blocks often required a handful of nurses and other clinical staff to conduct the procedure safely. Patients were held manually in a seated position with a flexed spine, often necessitating multiple medical professionals to support, provide counterpressure, or in some cases, catch a falling patient. Each of these manual patient handling tasks put the staff at risk.  But now both patients and staff can successfully experience an epidural or spinal block procedure safely with the use of an epidural positioning device or EPD.

Using an EPD in the Surgery Department

When spinal blocks are necessary to provide patient pain relief prior to a surgical procedure, multiple anesthesia techs, nurses or other medical professionals may be employed to make sure that a patient is positioned correctly. But using an epidural positioning device can ensure that the surgery department is following safe patient-handling procedures without putting staff at risk while helping patients remain in the correct posture for the spinal bock injection. Since the use of the device will require no additional staff members once the patient is engaged, surgical techs and staff can be utilized for their expertise rather than taking part in holding or securing patients before or after the spinal is administered.

Using an Epidural Chair in the Labor and Delivery Unit

Patients preparing to give birth are frequently shifted into a seated, flexedSpinal Block and Epidural Safety is Improved along with patient safety with the SPH Medical EPD position to receive epidural analgesia prior to giving birth. While tens of millions of epidurals are administered each year with their use only expected to escalate in the future, L&D staff are tasked with following safe patient handling guidelines that can be even trickier at the end stages of pregnancy. Many Labor and Delivery Unit facilities rely on the security of using an EPD as an injury prevention device for patients, nurses, OR techs and anesthesia techs. When a pregnant person must be secured in an uncomfortable or unstable position, like the seated and flexed position required for epidurals, they may require extra support from one or more staff members. Holding on, providing counterpressure or catching an unstable patient can hurt not only the patient but could easily injure a nurse or other medical professional needlessly when support from an epidural chair is available to provide stability.

Protecting Staff and Patients

Placing patients into the optimal cervical, thoracic or lumbar flexion is key to the successful administration of spinal or epidural medications. Patients undergoing hip or knee replacements, back procedures or delivering a baby all benefit from the correct placement of their medication or analgesic that will ensure their comfort before and during the procedure as well as promote a quick recovery afterward. But medical staff benefit just as much from the use of epidural chair equipment since they are now freed up from the physical requirements of holding and supporting patients who are undergoing this type of placement-sensitive procedure. Since ensuring patient safety is paramount for all medical professionals, those who assist in surgical and L&D situations where patients may fall or need physical support can avoid putting themselves at risk for their own injuries when a medical safety device like an epidural positioning device is utilized.

Contact SPH Medical to learn more about the EPD or request a quote.

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr59/nvsr59_05.pdf

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr085.pdf

Oxydiff kills C. diff spores in 2 minutes and does not contain bleach or amonia.
CategoriesPatient Handling

Oxydiff Reducing Risk of Infections

by sphmedicaladmin

Environmental Disinfection to Prevent HAIs

Many people think of using bleach to disinfect the laundry, but bleach can adversely affect health. Bleach is made up of a mixture of sodium hypochlorite and sodium hydroxide. When it contacts proteins like blood, it can release cytotoxic chemicals such as microcystin and chloroform into the air, known to cause significant lung harm. This article will explore reducing the risk of infections as well as methods of environmental disinfection that are more effective in preventing HAIs than bleach.

Oxydiff is a disinfectant solution that effectively kills pathogens on nonporous surfaces, such as countertops, sinks, and other hard surfaces items.  It kills various microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and molds. After 2 minutes of contact time, Oxydiff is EPA validated to kill up to 99.999% of all organisms it contacts.

Clostridium deficile is a bacterium that causes hospital illness and is commonly known as C. difficile or C. diff. Although antibiotics are a major cause of C. Diff infections, antibiotic overuse is not the only cause, and it often occurs in patients who were not even taking antibiotics at the time of the infection.

Reducing Risk of Infections Like C. Difficile

The most serious symptom of C. difficile is pseudomembranous colitis (PMC). It occurs when toxins the bacteria produce leach into tissue layers and cause ulcerations2 via an inflammatory response to bacterial proteins. Approximately 60% of patients who have suffered from PMC will eventually die from the infection. C. Diff is no longer a top 10 cause of hospital-acquired infection because newer antibiotics are more effective against it.

C. difficile can be treated with Vancomycin, one of the most potent antibiotics. However, it can take up to 4 days for the full dose to be absorbed into the body, and there are some cases where C. diff levels remain high after treatment.

MRSA is a type of Staphylococcus (staph) bacteria that causes infection in hospital settings, such as operating rooms. It is resistant to most antibiotics and can cause severe skin infections. It can result in pneumonia and blood-borne fungal infections, which can be fatal.

HAIs (Healthcare Associated Infections) are infections that develop while a person is in a healthcare facility. These infections are acquired through close contact with or using items containing bacteria, viruses, or other infectious organisms. These infections may also be acquired from contaminated blood given in transfusions and devices that deliver oxygen or fluids into the bloodstream. Bacteria are the most common HAIs. Most bacteria that cause infections can be killed by certain disinfectants. In particular, chlorine and iodine-based disinfectants effectively kill many types of bacteria. However, persistent bacteria have become resistant to chlorination and iodine-based disinfectants. It has been well documented that healthcare personnel introduces bacteria and other pathogens into the environment through improper hand hygiene and not wearing protective equipment. Some of the most harmful HAIs are Legionella, C difficile, Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE), MRSA, and Norovirus.

  • 1. What is the first step of Environmental Disinfection?Cleaning is the first step!  Most of us think that cleaning is the same as disinfection but it is not.  Cleaning is the first step because any dirt or debris including biofilm on surfaces needs to be removed before disinfection can occur.  The mechanical action of scrubbing and wiping with soap and water or mild detergents can remove and loosen the underlying pathogens
  • 2. Current relevant statistics about HAI’sWithin the last decade, HAIs have increased in their reported occurrence and severity, but only in the United States. It is estimated that each year 1.7 million healthcare-associated infections occur in the United States, which result in an additional 100,000 deaths. This accounts for approximately 3% of all deaths nationwide (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2007). The Joint Commission has reported that as of January 1, 2011, there are now 11 HAI categories (n = 11).
  • 3. What are the top pathogens that hospitals are dealing with?The FDA has classified several organisms as “contagious,” Clostridium deficile, VRE, and Norovirus (FDA, 2011). These bacteria can spread by direct and indirect contact with contaminated items and surfaces. Contamination may result from transient person-to-person contact or environmental sources such as environmental surfaces, stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, and other patient care equipment. Healthcare workers are most likely to spread this due to poor hand hygiene practices (CDC, 2011)
  • 4. What are multi-drug resistant organisms?Multi drug resistant organisms are bacterial that have developed resistance against antibiotics making them very difficult for any of our modern drugs to kill them.
  • 5. CDC guidelines for hospital disinfection?The CDC, in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has developed guidelines addressing hospital disinfection. They are known as the Environmental Infection Control and Epidemiology (EIC) guidelines. These guidelines were released in June 2007 but updated in October 2011 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2007; FDA, 2011). The EIC guidelines instruct healthcare facilities to use an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant or sterilant registered by the FDA.
  • 6. OxydiffOxydiff is a hospital disinfectant EPA approved to kill pathogens on surfaces and in the air and help in reducing risk of infections. Oxydiff kills many bacteria, viruses, mold, and spores on surgical scrub brushes, patient rooms, handrails, and medical equipment (EPA, 2011). It is hyrdogen peroxide based disinfectant with paracetic acid that is fully biodegradable. These products have been registered and approved by the EPA for use in healthcare facilities. One of the key benefits of Oxydiff is the flexibility of application.  It can be sprayed and wiped, fogged using a fogging system,  can be applied as a spray to surfaces or as a wipe solution for a combination of surfaces.

Environmental disinfection is critical to the success of HAI prevention. Multi-drug resistant organisms are becoming more prevalent due to the growing number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The CDC has recommended that healthcare facilities “consider the use of an Environmental Control Unit (ECU) to disinfect air and surfaces to prevent HAI” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2007).

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