Look great and stay safe in a disposable lab gown

If you work in a hospital or healthcare facility, it is always a good idea to keep a supply of disposable lab gowns on hand, whether you’re working in the patient care areas or the lab. These traditional looking lab gowns will outlast other types of cotton or poly cotton blend coats, plus they offer a wide range of additional safety features.

One of the biggest issues with any type of lab coat, that’s worn in the lab or while working with patients, is that the gown can become contaminated. When body fluids, medications, chemicals or liquid is spilled on the gown, the fabric will absorb it. These absorbed liquids will then travel around with you when you are interacting with patients and others, possibly providing opportunity for contamination. Since it really isn’t practical to be changing your coat all the time, using a disposable lab gown is really the best possible option.

Disposable lab gowns are just as practically designed as the more traditional cotton and poly cotton coats. They feature button closure down the front, as well as a walking slit in the back, which allows for easy movement even if you want to leave the coat closed while you’re walking / moving around. 

In addition most disposable lab gowns also offer Velcro cuffs and a fold up collar shield to more effectively restrict the chance of any contamination touching your skin or clothing while the gown is closed.

Supply doctor has a wide range of disposables to choose from, including lightweight, breathable disposable lab gowns. This is an important aspect in a busy hospital or healthcare setting where you may be walking through a variety of temperatures as you travel from area to area.

How to improve doctors’ waiting rooms

Waiting in a doctor’s office is one of life’s small annoyances, and the problem isn’t going away anytime soon. However, design can make the endless waiting a lot more tolerable.

There are six ways of dramatically improving waiting rooms…

Comfortable seating: Waiting when you’re sick is bad enough, and waiting in an uncomfortable chair is even worse. Movable armrests and seating pads with various amounts of cushion let people create their own comfortable little space. Planters can keep the air feeling fresh and displays at the end of each bench can tell patients how long they’ll be waiting.

Manageable queues: Queue management displays in waiting rooms make people feel physically tied to one spot. A better idea would be to feature wait-time displays prominently in multiple places and not just over the central counter.

Clear medical records: Digital records are going more and more digital as the years go by. Another low-tech alternative can be for patients to store their medications and appointment dates in paper wallets that can be thrown in a purse or back pocket and carted easily to the doctor’s office.

Healthy food: It’s always shocking and a bit depressing to see vending machines full of chips, chocolates and fizzy drinks in a medical clinic. Encourage healthy living by finding a vending machine that is stocked with nutritious snacks, or get a water dispenser.

Welcoming signage: Doctors’ waiting rooms can sometimes feel terribly impersonal. It is recommended that welcome boards be introduced so the doctors on duty can post information about healthy activities, etc.

Communal space: Communal tables can help reduce anxiety in a waiting room. Some people like their privacy when they’re sick, but then again if you are with your family a large table would make sense.

Use these tips to better design your waiting room and reduce patients anxiety while thy wait.

For a full range of medical supplies, equipment and disposables, visit Supply Doctors online medical supply store! 

5 ways patient safety can be promoted at healthcare organizations

There are many different things healthcare organisations can do to ensure the well-being of all the different patients that come through their doors. Here are 5 great ways to promote patient safety in your organisation and the entire healthcare industry.

1. Calculate your organisation’s safety culture

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality offers free surverys to identify patient safety strengths and needed improvements. Find them at AHRQ.gov.

- Take only 15-20 minutes to complete
- Take once every 6-16 months

2. Work with a patient safety organisation

The Health Systems Trust in South Africa is a leading patient safety organisation.

- It is a safe, confidential place for healthcare organisations to report information
- It is used to identify problems and solutions, which contributes to the greater good

3. Encourage patients to get involved

Get patients to play an active role in their healthcare and join a patient safety program

- Look out for any helpful brochures, posters and videos
- Make sure materials are available in multiple languages for different patients

4. Support your staff

- Build teamwork to improve communication and efficiency
- Decrease hospital shifts to fewer than 16 hours to avoid serious medical errors
-  Reduce distractions, especially during critical times such as shift changes
- Create a zone of silence near medication preparation carts and other areas where concentration is vital

5. Prioritize equipment calibration, testing and maintenance

- Vital to the longevity, accuracy and efficiency of your equipment
- Should be done at least once a year
- Requires specialized equipment and a certified engineer

Take a look through Supply Doctor’s website, where they have a wide range of high-quality medical equipment. Choose what you need and order it quickly and conveniently!

What you need to start a vet practice

Veterinarians are responsible for treating, diagnosing, and researching the diseases and injuries sustained by our favourite non-human friends. Take a look at what it takes to start a successful vet practice below.

Vet Prerequisites

Education

- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree
- 4 year program

License and Certification

- License required
- Graduation from accredited veterinary program
- Certification in 40 different specialties, including: Internal medicine, Surgery, Microbiology

Necessary Qualities

- Compassion
- Dexterity
- Management
- Decision-making and problem-solving abilities
- Interpersonal skills

Tools of the Trade

Routine

- Stethoscopes
- Microscopes
- Syringes
- Autoclaves

Diagnosis

- Endoscopes
- Ultrasound
- Doppler machines
- Pathology testing machines
- Fluid pumps
- Radiographs (x-rays)

Surgery

- Scalpels
- Forceps
- Needles

Here are some helpful TIPS to keep in mind…

1. Embrace technology. Software can simplify processes and keep paperwork clutter to a minimum. Tablets and iPads can improve communication and efficiency.

2. Have your equipment professionally tested and calibrated at least once a year.

3. Manage your inventory using barcodes to eliminate inventory mistakes and ensure proper pricing.

Building a Team

Your veterinary staff should include:

Veterinary Technicians – Vet techs work under supervision of the veterinarian and perform a wide range of duties, including: Handling anesthesia procedures, Exposing and developing x-rays, preparing animals and equipment for surgery.

Veterinary Assistants – Assistants are responsible for helping veterinarians or technicians in a variety of advanced technical procedures.

Kennel Assistants – Kennel Assistants ensure that kennels are clean and well-stocked, learn basic animal handling and restraining, and observe patients.

Receptionists – The face of the practice, receptionists are the first person your clients interact with.

Office Managers – Office managers ensure smooth day to day operations in the clinic, taking charge of scheduling, hiring and training.

Find all the right veterinary equipment for your veterinary practice at Supply Doctor’s online medical store!

Taking a look at your larynx - What is a Laryngoscopy?

If you don’t know what your larynx is, it is your voice box! It is located at the very top of your windpipe or trachea and it contains your vocal chords. Air passing through the larynx and over the vocal folds causes them to vibrate and produce sound – this is how we speak.

A laryngoscopy is an exam that gives doctors a close up view of the larynx and throat. Doctors place a small mirror into the throat, or insert a rigid or flexible viewing tube called a laryngoscope in your mouth. Sometimes, if necessary, they will do both.

Supply Doctor is a reliable online medical store with a broad range of laryngoscopes to choose from, take a look now and place your order!

Why would I need a laryngoscopy? Well, a laryngoscopy is used to learn more about various conditions or problems in the throat, including:

- Persistent cough, bloody cough, hoarseness, throat pain, or bad breath

- Difficulty swallowing

- Persistent earache

- Mass or growth in the throat

A laryngoscope can also be used to remove a foreign object

How does a laryngoscopy work? Preparation for the test can include:

- Physical exam

- Chest X-Ray or CT scan

- Barium swallow

Laryngoscopy’s usually last between five and 45 minutes. There are two types or laryngoscopy tests: direct and indirect.

An indirect laryngoscopy is when the patient will sit up straight in a high-back chair and numbing medicine is sprayed into the throat. The doctor will cover the tongue with gauze and hold it from blocking the view, and then the doctor will stick a mirror into the throat and explore the area. A patient might be asked to make a certain sound to make the larynx move. If you have a foreign object or obstruction in your throat, the doctor will remove it at this point.

The direct method can happen in the hospital or the doctor’s office, and usually the patient is completely sedated under expert supervision. A special tube goes into the nose or mouth and then down the throat. The doctor will be able to look through the tube to get a close view of the larynx. The doctor can collect samples and remove growths or objects.

Have you had a laryngoscopy before? Tell us more about your experience!

Seven different uses for a pill box

What is a pill box? Well, it is a little container that you keep and organise your daily pills in. however, there are many possible uses for these boxes besides the obvious medications and vitamins.

Visit Supply Doctor today and take a look through the wide array of medicine dropper and pill boxes…

1. When travelling, you can use a seven day pill box to pack your jewelry for each day. Most earrings, necklaces and rings can easily fit into the compartments. This also helps to prevent tangling of necklaces and searching for matching earrings.

2. If you enjoy sewing, you can re-purpose your pill box to contain bobbins, needles and pins for your sewing machine. This will work best when you have a pill box with larger compartments.

3. For kids, create a pill box with different types of beads in each section. Pack string in one of the compartments so you have all the supplies to create a pretty necklace or bracelet. So, now you have an easy arts and crafts project for a rainy day!

4. Rather than sorting your medication day by day, rather fill each section with a different over the counter medication to heal common sickness. This way whenever you get sick you have a mini drug store on the go.

5. Do you travel a lot for work? Create a tiny mobile office supply kit using a pill box. Fill each compartment with different office essentials, such as paper clips, rubber bands, mini post its, binder clips and an eraser.

6. Going camping for the weekend? Why not sort out your herbs and spices a head of time? Fill each section in your pill box with the different herbs you plan to cook with on your trip.

7. Store your little bits and bobs in each compartment, like earring butterfly fastenings, drawing pins, beads, small scraps etc.

Regardless of which idea you decide to try, it is a good idea to label your pill  box with whatever is inside. Get inspired, and use your pill box for something beyond the obvious!

How a walking stick can ease chronic pain

There is a solution for the pain – a walking stick! If you are someone who uses one, try not to call it a cane, rather call it a walking stick which evokes a more positive image of youth and vigor.

This handy object can assist you in easing many types of pain, from the lower back down to the feet. It can even reduce stress and strain that comes with everyday activities or a walk in the park.

Researchers recently discovered that by using a walking stick, you can reduce the load on the knee by about 10%. By reducing knee joint stress, the pain, swelling and stiffness is less likely to become something worse.

Ever seen someone use two walking sticks? Probably not in public, but most avid hikers use two walking sticks to help support their bodies over uneven terrain. Not only does this reduce the load on all parts of your body, but it also helps conserve energy.

 Improved balance is also one of the reasons walking sticks help to relieve back pain. When you walk, your back muscles are involved in maintaining your balance, so that is why most people who suffer from back pain feel discomfort when they climb hills, step off curbs or walk over bumpy ground. Just by having that simple stick in hand can make most tasks easier and safer. Sometimes a simple assistance device like a walking stick is all we need to keep moving.

Many types of assistance devices exist and they really do assist in making life easier. Supply Doctor is a reliable online medical store where you can find a wide variety of walkers, shoppers, crutches and walking sticks, and many other assisted living products.

Always remember; by regaining control, pain is less likely to cause suffering. Just pick up your stick and keep moving.