How to Measure a Wheelchair

When it comes to wheelchairs, there is nothing more important than making sure the chair is a perfect fit for its owner. If any one element of the chair is too long, too short, too wide or too skinny, it can become incredibly uncomfortable, especially over a long period of time. Read the following article to learn how to measure a wheelchair and ensure it will be a good fit for the owner.

1. Measure the width of the person who will use the wheelchair. Take the measurement with the person in the seated position, on a fairly firm surface. This will determine the width of the seat.

      ·         Add approximately 2.5 to 5 cm for slight movement and comfort when sitting. Allow for the thickness of bulky clothing, which could be worn in the winter.

2. Measure the widest part of the subject's chest. This will usually be from directly under one armpit to the other. This will influence the width of the seat back.

3. Measure from the back of the heel to the back of the knee. This will determine the length of the leg rest extension and influence the seat height.

      ·         Add a minimum of 2 inches (5 cm) to this measurement to determine seat height. Unless the wheelchair is going to be foot propelled, the footrest needs that much room for clearance.

      ·         Take the next measurements while the person is sitting down. The arms should be at a 90 degree angle, and the shoulders should be relaxed and neutral.

4. Measure from the back of the hips to the back of the subject's knee. Add approximately 2.5 to 5 cm to determine the ideal seat depth. For an adult, there should be that much space from the edge of the seat to the back of the knee.

5. Measure from the tip of the elbow to the top of the hips. Again, the person should be in a sitting position with both arms at a 90 degree angle. This will determine the height of the armrest in relation to the seat.

6. Measure from the hips to the shoulders. This will determine the height of the seat back.

7. Measure from the hips to the top of the head. This will determine the necessary height of the headrest.

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6 Common Types of Diagnostic Medical Devices

Diagnostic medical equipment and supplies help clinicians to measure and observe various aspects of a patient's health so that they can form a diagnosis. Once a diagnosis is made, the clinician can then prescribe an appropriate treatment plan.

Diagnostic medical equipment is found in outpatient care centres for adult and paediatrics, in emergency rooms, as well as inpatient hospital rooms and intensive care units.

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The following list provides an overview of some of the most commonly used diagnostic tools.

Stethoscopes

Stethoscopes are probably the most recognizable of all medical diagnostic tools. They are used to listen to heart sounds, the lungs and even blood flow in the arteries and veins.

• Stethoscopes help diagnose:
• Pneumonia
• Bronchitis
• Heart palpitations
• Heart disease
• Arrhythmia
• Heart valve issues

Stethoscopes are also used along with a sphygmomanometer to measure blood pressure.

Electronic Stethoscopes improve sound quality when listening to the low-pitched heart sounds and the high-pitched pulmonary sounds. They can be connected to a computer to record and save the sounds. 

They can be hooked up to distributors that allow multiple people to listen on adjoining stethoscopes. This last feature is important when training interns, residents and fellows.

Sphygmomanometers

Evidence-based medicine has proven that the measure of blood pressure is important in determining the overall health of a person.

The sphygmomanometer can help diagnose:

• Diabetes
• High or low blood pressure
• Artery hardening
• Arterial plaque
• Hypotension

High blood pressure has been linked to several diseases. There are a few products that are used to measure blood pressure.

Manual sphygmomanometers are considered the most reliable. Mercury manometers don't require routine calibration, and therefore are used in high-risk scenarios.

Aneroid sphygmomanometers are a little less reliable because they can lose their calibration when bumped, which can be a common occurrence in health care settings. Wall-mounted styles can reduce this possibility, but should still have calibration checks to be sure. The aneroid style is easily identified as a mechanical unit with a dial for the readings, as well as a bulb and air valve.

Digital finger blood pressure monitors are the smallest and most portable. While easy to operate, they are a bit less accurate.

Digital sphygmomanometers, like the digital finger blood pressure monitors, are also electronic. They can be inflated either manually or automatically. They are easy to use, but derive blood pressure in an indirect way. Digital units measure mean arterial pressure, which basically translates into an average of the systolic and diastolic pressure. The digital sphygmomanometer then must derive what the systolic and diastolic readings would be.

Opthalmoscopes

Ophthalmoscopes are handheld tools that allow a physician to see into the fundus of a patient's eye. This type of diagnostic tool is commonly used in physical or outpatient exams.

Ophtalmoscopes can help diagnose:

• Bacterial infections
• Detached retinas
• Glaucoma

There are two types of ophthalmoscopes.

Direct ophthalmoscopes produce an upright image of approximately 15 times magnification. These tools are held as close to the patient's eye as possible.

Indirect ophthalmoscopes produce an inverted image of 2 to 5 times magnification. Indirect ophthalmoscopes are held 24 to 30 inches from the patient's eye. Indirects also have a more powerful light so they are more effective than directs when used in patients with cataracts.

Otoscopes

Otoscopes are handheld devices that allow physicians to look into the ear canal and view the tympanic membrane through the magnification lens. 

Otoscopes help diagnose:

• Ear infections
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Causes of vertigo or dizziness
• Meniere’s disease
• Swimmers Ear

The head of the otoscope also has a light. The light, together with the magnifying lens, make it possible to view the outer and middle ear. The portion that the physician inserts into the ear canal is called the disposable speculum. Disposable specula are stored in a dispenser in the exam room so that a new, clean one can be attached to the otoscopes for each patient.

Electrocardiographs

Electrocardiographs measure the electrical activity of the heart. During this examination, heart rate can be recorded, as well as the regularity of the beats. These are two key indicators of any issues in the heart. Physicians can even read an electrocardiograph to determine the size and position of each heart chamber. And finally, a major use for the electrocardiograph is to diagnose damage to the heart, and the impact and efficacy of drug treatment or device implant.

Thermometer

Thermometers are used in all areas and levels of care, from routine physical exams, to emergency department triage, to inpatient care. There are now electronic thermometers that shorten the time necessary to measure a patient's temperature. The electronic ones can be set for the specific part of the body being measured, such as the mouth, under the armpit, rectally, or the ear.

4 Types of Protective Surgical Supplies for your Head

Operating Room staff members wear personal protective apparel to prevent themselves from acquiring an infection during a surgical procedure. From head to toe, there are different products and materials that provide protection and comfort.

Protective Gear Options:

• Surgical Caps
• Hoods
• Eye Protection
• Surgical Masks

Material Options:

Surgical Caps

• A paper-like absorbent material called scrim reinforced material

• Multi-layer polypropylene, for fluid resistance balanced with ventilation spun lace, the most absorbent, while still comfortable and soft

Surgical Hoods

• Lint-free, latex-free options lightweight multi-ply and heavy-weight polypropylene

• Lightweight single-ply polypropylene or heavyweight polypropylene material

Eye Protection

• Disposable Face Shields provide maximum eye and face protection. This product has a contoured foam material that wraps across the forehead, and the shield extends down from that foam band to protect the face. The shields typically resist fogging.

• Goggles that protect from fluids are used over normal prescription eyeglasses. These are typically made of soft, vinyl frames with built-in air vents and anti-fog lenses.

• Safety Glasses are usually the most economical choice for eye protection. Most manufacturers make them with a built-in brow bar and side shields with wide view lenses.

Surgical Masks

Procedure: Procedure masks have a few options for materials within this category alone. The basic materials however consist of a tissue material on the inner and outer of the mask, with the potential to opt for a softer cellulose material on the inside as well. Additionally, the polypropylene styles improve fluid resistance for the wearer.

Isolation: Fluid-resistant on the outside, with the comfort of cellulose on the inside, these masks also have a bendable nosepiece to ensure proper fit.

Hypoallergenic: These are helpful for people with sensitive skin. Manufacturers can achieve the hypoallergenic feature by not using any dyes or other colorants in the masks. These masks still are able to provide comfort by lining the inside and outside of the mask with cellulose, and by including a bendable nosepiece for enhanced fit.

Breathing Chamber: The breathing chamber mask looks like a Procedure Mask with the area in front of the mouth tented outward away from the wearer's lips. This keeps the mask off the face for easier breathing and clearer speech. The inner and outer lining could be cellulose, or the outer lining could be polypropylene for added fluid protection.

Cone-Style: Cone-style masks are easy to put on. The elastic-like headband straps over the back of the head, the nosepiece can be pinched by the wearer to ensure a tight fit around the nose, and the mouthpiece extends away from the wearer's mouth to provide easier breathing and speech.

Anti-Fog: Anti-Fog masks work to keep the wearer's eyeglasses from fogging. They accomplish this with a foam strip lining across the top edge of the mask which prevents condensation from escaping up behind the eyeglass lenses. There are Chamber-Style and non-Chamber-Style Anti-Fog masks available on the market.

Fluid-Protective: Manufacturers make "fluid-protective" masks typically with cellulose on the inner and outer linings. They will often incorporate the foam strip at the top edge of the mask to limit condensation from escaping. A full-width nosepiece provides the wearer with a custom fit.

Fluid-Resistant: It's important to clarify here that "Fluid-Resistant" means that it provides better protection against fluids than "Fluid-Protective". Fluid-Resistant masks generally are made of polypropylene on the outside for fluid resistance and cellulose on the inside for comfort while still providing a degree of fluid resistance.

Fluid Resistant/Protective with Eye Shield: Both the Fluid-Resistant and Fluid-Protective style masks can be found with an added eye shield option for enhanced eye and face coverage. The eye shield extends up from the mask and cover the eyes and the forehead to beyond where the surgical cap meets the forehead, thus ensuring no skin exposure in that area of the body. The eye shields are made of non-glare material to maintain optimum visibility, and a foam strip is in place to protect against condensation from rising up from the mask.

By wearing these types of protective supplies, medical staff not only increase their own odds in avoiding infection, they also help protect their patients from the same problem.

For a wide range of surgical supplies, from caps to masks - take a look at Supply Doctor's website and place your order today!