positioning device Archives

Epidural and spinal block safety improved with EPD by SPH Medical

In the ever-evolving landscape of surgical procedures, SPH Medical’s Epidural Positioning Device (EPD) stands as a beacon of innovation and safety. The EPD is an advanced tool designed to assist in the precise positioning of patients during spinal blocks a procedure gaining popularity in joint replacement surgeries due to its proven benefits. Studies have shown an increase in the use of spinal blocks, leading to improved patient outcomes, particularly in terms of pain management and recovery time.

A Deeper Dive with the Epidural Positioning Device: Why Surgeons are Opting for Spinal Blocks in Joint Replacement Surgeries

Recent trends in orthopedic surgery reveal a marked shift towards the use of spinal blocks, particularly for joint replacement procedures. This shift is not arbitrary; it’s influenced by compelling clinical evidence and the quest for improved patient outcomes.

Clinical Evidence: The Backbone of Change

Several studies have highlighted the benefits of spinal blocks over general anesthesia in joint replacement surgeries. For instance, research published in the British Journal of Anesthesia noted that patients who received spinal blocks experienced quicker recovery times compared to those who underwent general anesthesia1. This speedier recovery can significantly reduce hospital stay durations, leading to cost savings for both the patient and the healthcare facility.

Another study found that spinal anesthesia was associated with less blood loss during total hip arthroplasty, further enhancing patient safety and reducing potential complications.

Spinal Block vs. General Anesthesia with The Epidural Positioning Device

The primary difference between a spinal block and general anesthesia lies in the area of the body that is numbed for the surgery. While general anesthesia renders the patient unconscious and unable to feel pain throughout the entire body, a spinal block specifically numbs the lower half of the body while the patient remains conscious.

This localized approach offers several advantages. First, it eliminates the risks associated with general anesthesia, such as postoperative nausea, vomiting, and cognitive dysfunction. Second, spinal blocks allow for faster recovery times, as patients do not need to regain consciousness post-surgery. Finally, spinal blocks can provide effective postoperative pain relief, reducing the need for opioid analgesics and their associated side effects.

The increasing preference for spinal blocks in joint replacement surgeries is not a passing trend but a well-founded approach backed by clinical evidence. By opting for spinal blocks, surgeons are choosing a path that promises better patient outcomes, improved surgical efficiency, and enhanced patient safety. So how can we support this trend and improve staff safety?

The Pivotal Role of the Epidural Positioning Device in Surgery Departments

The EPD plays a vital role in surgery departments where spinal blocks are routinely performed. Its key function is to facilitate accurate patient positioning, which is crucial for the successful administration of a spinal block. By ensuring optimal positioning, the EPD significantly enhances patient safety, reducing the risk of complications associated with spinal block administration.

The Undeniable Benefits of the EPD in Surgery

The advantages of using the EPD extend beyond patient safety. From a healthcare provider’s perspective, it introduces improved ergonomics into the surgical environment. The device’s design reduces physical strain on nurses, doctors, and other surgical staff, thus preventing work-related injuries and promoting a healthier work environment.

Moreover, the Epidural Positioning Device contributes to improved safety and efficiency for surgical staff. By enabling precise positioning, it minimizes the risk of complications, saving valuable time in the operating room and leading to more effective surgical procedures.

Backing Claims with Evidence: Case Studies and Statistics

The efficacy of the EPD is not just a claim; it’s a fact underscored by real-world examples and solid data. Numerous surgery departments across the nation have reported enhanced patient outcomes and operational efficiency after incorporating the EPD into their spinal block procedures.

A Resounding Call to Action

In light of these compelling benefits, the conclusion is unequivocal: the EPD is an indispensable asset for any surgery department performing spinal blocks. Its contribution to patient safety, improved ergonomics for healthcare providers, and overall operational efficiency make it a must-have tool. We at SPH Medical urge all hospitals to consider its implementation. With the Epidural Positioning Device, embrace a new standard of care that promises exceptional benefits for patients and healthcare providers alike.

Patient Handling

Patients Can Feel Safer With The Epidural Positioning Device

by sphmedicaladmin December 8, 2020December 8, 2020

The Epidural Positioning Device, Positioning Patients Safety

What commonly comes to mind when you hear the word epidural is that someone is giving childbirth, and they need an epidural to help with the pain. For a mother in labor, an epidural provides anesthesia that creates a range of numbness from the patients navel to her upper legs. This enables the patient to be awake and alert during childbirth, while allowing the patient to feel pressure. However, labor and delivery rooms are not the only recommended place for epidural procedures. Patients also receive epidural treatment in general surgery and as an outpatient treatment in pain management clinics. Doctors use epidural injections to relieve pain during and after surgery and to manage chronic pain. Although epidurals help with the pain, many patients may refuse them. The primary concern or risk with an epidural is the concern about what could happen if the anesthesiologist does not insert the needle correctly. With the development of the epidural positioning device by an anesthesiologist, patients can feel safer and comfortable when receiving an epidural. The Epidural Chair, as its commonly known, helps keep their body in the proper position and stable during the procedure.

Conditions Normally Treated with Epidurals

Doctors commonly use epidural steroid injections to relieve pain associated with the following:

Degenerative disc disease is changes that take place over time as the discs in your spine began to break down. It can affect the surrounding nerves and cause pain.
Disc herniation is a condition that occurs when a disk between two vertebrae slips out of place, causing the surrounding nerves to become irritated and create extreme pain.
Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis where the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones wears down over time.
Radiculopathy is when the pain that travels to other parts of the body radiates from the spine caused by a spinal nerve and roots disease.

What is an epidural chair?

An epidural positioning device is an ergonomic stabilizing stand that can easily be adjusted to a patient’s body to provide them with enough support to keep them from moving during these common medical procedures. Anesthesiologists developed the EPD to position patients properly for correct placement and to reduce risk to caregivers. Before the availability of the epidural positioning device, caregivers had no choice but to position and hold patients manually, putting them at risk of a musculoskeletal disorder or other injuries. Patients were also at risk of falling off the bed or table! As the caregivers held the patients, the anesthesiologist would administer the epidural placement or spinal block and hope the patient did not move. If patients moved during the procedure, they were at risk of injury. Anesthesiologists were also at risk of being the subject of a lawsuit if something went wrong.

Benefits of the EPD:

Using an epidural positioner removes strain and injury risk to staff.
It allows the patient to be as comfortable as possible while preventing the invasion of their personal space than the traditional way caregivers positioned their patients.
The epidural positioner promotes bending of the neck, throat, and back area while keeping the person’s body stable.
The patient’s back remains immobile during epidural placement.
Reduces the risk of spreading infection throughout the facility.

With the epidural positioning device, caregivers can effectively position patients in operating rooms, labor and delivery suites, and other facilities where doctors perform epidurals and spinal block procedures.

Epidural Positioning Device and Thoracentesis

A more recent function of the EPD is that doctors are using it during thoracentesis procedures. Thoracentesis is the removal of excess fluid that has accumulated in the pleural space between a person’s lungs and the chest wall. The imaging department within the hospital typically sees these patients. A trained sonographer is tasked with positioning the patient and finding the correct intervertebral space to insert the needle. When preparing for the procedure, EPDs allow caregivers to position a patient to keep them stable and comfortable. Caregivers can adjust the machine to help support the patient’s chest, arm, head, and feet.

The epidural positioning device is suitable for operating rooms, labor and delivery suites, pain centers, or anywhere doctors perform epidurals. Because of the ability to adjust the device, it is ideal for patients of all body types and sizes.

Patient Handling

Patient Positioning During Thoracentesis Solved

by sphmedicaladmin February 4, 2020February 5, 2020

Major Advancements in Safe Patient Positioning during Thoracentesis

Over the past two decades we have seen major advancements in patient care. This includes many new Safe Patient Handling Solutions developed to help our nurses and caregivers avoid the risk injury. Manual patient handling is one of the leading causes of back injuries for nurses. Many States have put laws in place to mandate that hospitals have a Safe Patient Handling program. This includes evaluating all inpatient units for high risk tasks that involve lifting, pushing, pulling, or prolonged static holds. Then the hospital should evaluate solutions to mitigate the risk. Here we are in 2020 and manual patient handling has not been eliminated yet!

We have been receiving phone calls from hospitals around the country describing a very common procedure. It is putting their ultrasound/imaging team at risk of injury on a daily basis. The procedure is called Thoracentesis and the issues are patient positioning during Thoracentesis.

Thoracentesis is also known as thoracocentesis or pleural tap. It is an invasive procedure to remove fluid or air from the pleural space for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. A cannula, or hollow needle, is carefully introduced into the thorax, generally after administration of local anesthesia.

One Ultrasound Manager at leading hospital found our website and the EPD – or Epidural Positioning Device. She contacted us and thought this would be perfect for their situation.

Here’s a brief description:

This hospital sees both inpatients and outpatients for Thora’s (That’s short for Thoracentesis). They’re performing about 3-6 procedures per day, seven days a week.

A Nurse or LPN helps assist to position the patient. The patient is seated on a gurney or table. The Nurse brings over a stool to support their feet. Then moves a bedside tray table over in front of the patient. Next they stack the table with pillows so the patient can lean on it comfortably. But, the table does not lock and it is a tip hazard!

We found this reference card on the web describing the old fashioned manual positioning of patients during Thora’s

thoracentesis Nursing Care Patient Prep

Which patients are getting Thoracentesis? There are many types of patients with varying diagnoses that need to undergo this procedure. People get “plural effusion” which is fluid around the lungs. A large number of patients are cancer patients but many are also heart and infections.

Thoracentesis Procedure

Thoracentesis procedure

How are we solving this predictable procedure and all the manual patient handling – static holds, fall risk, etc? The SPH Medical Epidural Positioning Device is the key. It was designed by an anesthesiologist to help position patients properly and to open up the spine for ideal needle placement of an Epidural or Spinal Block. It has now become the standard of care for L&D and surgery departments. Now the Radiology/Imaging department has discovered it and we’re helping the ultrasound team and Pulmonologists position patients safely and efficiently.

We have few photos from a recent customer that has implemented the EPD. Here are the before and after photos. Please feel free to Contact us for more information about the EPD and Thora’s. We would be happy to connect you with to our customers who are now using the EPD for all of their Thora’s and creating a safer environment for their staff and patients.

Thoras Before

A Typical Thoracentesis set up with a stool and non-locking tray table with pillows.

Thoras After with EPD

positioning device

Unveiling the Epidural Positioning Device: A Game-Changer in Surgical Settings