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!