In many commercial applications weighing scales need to meet NTEP standards for buying and selling based on the scale weight. However, for many medical weighing scenarios there really are no guidelines. So, it might actually be a good idea to buy NTEP approved medical scales. But the question then becomes, are there any NTEP Medical Scales in the marketplace? Well, it turns out yes there are NTEP approved medical scales available.
DETECTO has received NTEP (National Type Evaluation Program) approval administered by the National Conference on Weights & Measures for most of their major medical scales. How does this help you as the consumer? This verifies from a regulated governing body that Detecto scales are manufactured to the highest accuracy and quality possible for medical scales used to treat patients.
DETECTO is currently the only medical scale manufacturer with NTEP verified weighing accuracy. This is the same verification process used by gas pumps and commercial food weighing standards. The unsaid dirty secret of medical scales is that actual accuracy varies wildly among our medical scale competitors and your weight on one scale will differ greatly from another. DETECTO is leading the new standard in nationally-regulated medical scales. Why trust the most important thing in life with anything less: the life of your patients.
The only medical scale manufacturer with US compliant scales held to NTEP weights and measures standards. This NTEP accreditation means DETECTO scales have been subjected to 100,000 weighing cycles and maintained strict accuracy in a variety of testing temperatures. The DETECTO name has always stood for quality and durability more than anyone else. Now we have the credentials to prove it!
Is your Medical Scale NTEP approved?
We’ve all used scales that are NTEP certified when buying bananas at the farmers market since it’s critical for the weight to be accurate between the buyer and seller of the bananas. And yet a pediatric scale weighing our baby or a physician scale weighing us before surgery for assigning dosages isn’t held to the same criteria as a bunch of fruit or vegetables. DETECTO is at the forefront of leading this monumental change in patient care and offers a wide selection of NTEP-approved medical scales listed below.
Legal Compliance = Accuracy & Consistency
An NTEP-certified medical scale provides highly accurate and consistent readings, crucial in medical settings where precise weight measurements are necessary for patient care and medication dosing. This accreditation assures you that you are receiving the highest-quality scale available on the market. Look for the NTEP stamp of approval on your next medical scale.
Select from NTEP approved baby scales, physician scales, wheelchair scales, bariatric scales, and chair scales. Contact the sales team (919) 776-7737 to get started.
Body fat scales are a popular tool for tracking body composition, but just how accurate is a body fat scale? These devices use bioelectrical impedance to estimate fat percentage, yet their accuracy can vary. This article examines how they work, the factors affecting their accuracy, and how they compare to other methods.
Important Points to Consider
Body fat scales use Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) to estimate body fat percentage, but results are considered estimates rather than precise measurements.
Factors like hydration levels and foot positioning can significantly affect the accuracy of body fat readings, so consistency in measurement conditions is important.
While body fat scales offer convenience for tracking body composition at home, more accurate methods like DEXA scans exist, which provide a clearer picture of fat and lean mass distribution.
How Do Body Fat Scales Work?
Body fat scales utilize a technology called Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA). This method is used to estimate body composition. When you step onto a seca body fat scale, it sends a light electric current through your body. This process helps measure your body fat percentage. This current travels through different tissues at varying speeds due to their different water content. For instance, muscle and fat have different conductivity levels, which BIA can detect.
The scale measures the resistance faced by the electrical impulse. This occurs as it travels through your body. This resistance, known as impedance, helps calculate fat mass and fat-free mass. BIA assumes that 73% of the body’s fat-free mass is water, which is crucial for accurate calculations.
To improve accuracy, body fat scales take into account factors such as height, weight, age, and gender. These variables help the scale provide more personalized estimates of measuring body fat percentage. Additionally, body fat measurement scales often measure other metrics like muscle mass and water percentage, providing a more comprehensive view of your body composition.
While body fat scales work well for many people, it’s essential to understand that they provide estimates rather than exact measurements. They are validated for accuracy through comparisons with methods like whole-body MRI and the four-component model for fat-free mass. However, certain factors can still affect their readings, which we’ll explore next.
Factors Affecting Scale Accuracy
Hydration levels are one of the most significant factors that can influence the accuracy of body fat scales. Several other factors can also play a role in determining this accuracy. If you’re dehydrated, the scale might overestimate your body fat percentage. Conversely, overhydration can lead to an underestimation of body fat.
Another critical factor is foot position. Proper surface contact between your feet and the scale’s electrodes is necessary for reliable measurements. Incorrect foot positioning or leg flexion during the measurement can lead to inaccuracies. Accurate readings require correct foot placement and standing still during measurements.
Other factors like body temperature, humidity, and the quality of the scale itself can also affect accuracy. Higher body weight can exacerbate errors, and using the scale on a hard, flat surface can help avoid inaccuracies. Maintaining consistency in measurement conditions, such as the time of day and hydration levels, helps in obtaining reliable results.
Comparing Body Fat Scales to Other Methods
When it comes to measuring body composition, body fat scales are just one option among many. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans are often considered the gold standard because they measure fat, lean tissue, and bone with high accuracy. However, they can be expensive and not as accessible as body fat scales.
Other methods include hydrostatic weighing, which compares your weight on land to your underwater weight, and skinfold measurements, which use calipers to measure subcutaneous fat. Each method has its advantages and drawbacks. For instance, hydrostatic weighing is accurate but requires special equipment and can be uncomfortable. Skinfold measurements are more accessible but depend heavily on the user’s expertise.
Body fat scales offer the convenience of home use and the ability to track body composition trends over time. However, they may not differentiate well between fat and muscle, potentially leading to misleading results. Understanding the strengths and limitations of each method can help you choose the best approach for your needs.
Pros and Cons of Using Body Fat Scales
Body fat scales provide a mix of advantages and disadvantages. While they offer a convenient and user-friendly way to measure body composition at home, they also come with potential inaccuracies and limitations. Let’s look into these pros and cons in more detail.
Advantages
One of the primary advantages of body fat scales is their user-friendliness. They can be easily incorporated into daily routines, allowing users to monitor their body composition regularly without needing to visit a professional.
These scales also provide a convenient way to track changes in body fat percentage over time. Tracking trends instead of single readings helps users understand their progress and stay motivated towards their health and fitness goals.
Additionally, body fat scales enable users to track their fitness progress independently, without the need for professional assistance. This can be particularly empowering for individuals who prefer managing their health in their own home.
Disadvantages
Despite their advantages, body fat scales do have their downsides. The readings from these scales should be treated as rough estimates rather than absolute values. Various factors, such as hydration levels and foot positioning, can significantly affect the reliability of the readings.
Sudden fluctuations in body fat scale readings might not truly represent changes in body fat. This can result in confusion for individuals monitoring their progress. It’s essential to focus on long-term trends rather than short-term fluctuations.
Moreover, body fat scales do not account for important health metrics such as bone density, muscle mass, and visceral fat levels. While they can be useful for tracking general baseline measurements, they are not as precise as advanced testing methods.
Tips for Getting the Most Accurate Readings
To get the most accurate readings from your body fat scale, consistency is key. Using the same scale consistently and under similar conditions can help minimize discrepancies over time. Following the instruction manual ensures proper use of the device.
Proper positioning, surface contact, and keeping legs straight during measurements enhance accuracy. Ensure that your feet are correctly placed on the electrodes and that you stand still during the measurement process.
Using validated reference datasets that account for age, gender, ethnicity, and BMI can improve accuracy. These datasets help in quickly identifying weight-related health risks and provide more precise body composition readings.
Alternative Methods for Measuring Body Fat
In addition to body fat scales, various other methods exist for assessing body fat. These alternatives provide different ways to measure body composition. DEXA scans, for example, are highly accurate and measure fat, lean tissues, and bone. The Bod Pod, which assesses body fat by measuring an individual’s weight and volume, is another method.
The right method depends on accessibility, required precision, and personal preferences. Handheld bioelectrical impedance devices and skinfold measurements offer convenient options for those seeking simplicity.
The Role of Body Fat Percentage in Health
Body fat percentage is a critical indicator of overall health, often providing more insight than Body Mass Index (BMI). Unlike BMI, which does not differentiate between fat and lean body mass, body fat percentage gives a clearer picture of how much fat you carry relative to your total body weight.
Knowing your body fat percentage aids in assessing health risks like heart disease, diabetes, and other obesity-related conditions. An increase in body fat percentage over time should be discussed with your medical provider to assess potential health implications.
While indirect methods like bioelectrical impedance can have larger predictive errors compared to direct methods, they still play an important role in tracking body composition trends. Choosing the right measurement technique based on individual circumstances is essential for accurate health assessments.
Overall Summary
Body composition analyzers offer a convenient and user-friendly way to track body composition at home. While they provide valuable insights, it’s important to understand their limitations and the factors that can affect their accuracy. Comparing body fat scales with other methods can help you choose the best approach for your needs.
Ultimately, monitoring body fat percentage is crucial for assessing health risks and setting fitness goals. By making informed decisions and using the right measurement techniques, you can take control of your health and well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do body fat scales work?
Body fat scales work by sending a small electric current through your body and measuring the resistance to estimate your body composition. It’s a quick and easy way to check your body fat levels.
What factors can affect the accuracy of body fat scales?
The accuracy of body fat scales can be influenced by factors like hydration levels, foot position, and the quality of the scale itself. Paying attention to these can help you get a more reliable reading!
How do body fat scales compare to other methods like DEXA scans?
Body fat scales are convenient for home use, but DEXA scans generally deliver a more accurate and detailed assessment of your body composition.
What are the main advantages of using body fat scales?
Using body fat scales makes it easy to monitor your body composition regularly from the comfort of your home, helping you stay on top of your health trends. They’re convenient and user-friendly, providing valuable insights into your fitness journey.
Are body fat scale readings always accurate?
Body fat scale readings should be seen as rough estimates. It’s better to focus on long-term trends rather than individual readings for a clearer picture of your body composition.
For information on our seca mBCA 554 Body Composition Scale and others please complete our RFQ form on our website.
When facilities look to purchase new medical scales, some buyers may ask: “Does the product have connectivity?”
When a device has “connectivity” it means the product can send data to another device, such as a vital sign monitor or a PC. This connection to another device can work in variety of ways such as integration partnerships between device manufacturers or Bluetooth pairing. When data is sent from a device, a medical scale for example, to the secondary connected device, the information can then be saved into a patient’s electronic medical record. This direct transmission of patient measurements has several benefits in the healthcare environment.
With no handwritten data to transcribe, sending data electronically can eliminate manual errors such as inputting a decimal point in the wrong place or entering an incorrect digit in a weight measurement. Having a correct weight entered into a patient record is especially critical in areas of care where medication dosage relies on an accurate weight measurement. Direct data transmission also greatly improves efficiency. When data is sent automatically into a patient record this saves the caregiver valuable time by not having to manually enter the information. Automatic data entry can also standardize the way patient information is recorded.
For example, using a connected kilograms only scale means patient weights will only be transmitted and recorded in kg units. This is beneficial not only for standardized data but also for safety where weight-based dosing is being used. Healthcare facilities evaluate new equipment based on several features and connectivity is often an important attribute. How a new device will integrate into a facility’s workflow and system should also be considered.
Choosing a supplier that offers several options to meet the provider’s needs is ideal. Our selection of high quality Health o Meter Professional scales provides several connectivity solutions for transmitting weight, height, and BMI measurements to vital sign monitors, computers, and EMR systems. These solutions enhance healthcare facility workflow efficiency, patient safety, and provide a quick and simple method to record patient information.
Learn more about our many connectivity solutions by completing the RFQ form on our website.
In the world of healthcare, precision is paramount. Every decision, every diagnosis, and every treatment plan relies on accurate data. One might not immediately think of scales as the heroes of healthcare, but they do play a pivotal role in maintaining patient health and safety. From monitoring a newborn’s growth to administering medication with precision, electronic weighing scales are unsung heroes in the healthcare field. In this article, we’ll explore the vital importance of scales in healthcare and how they contribute to patient well-being.
Back in the day, we only had a couple of scale brands to choose from when it came to medical scales. That’s not the case these days, we have multiple brands of scales to choose from. A few of the brands of scales that we recommend are Seca, Rice Lake Healthweigh, Befour, Health-O-Meter Professional, and Detecto among others.
1. Precise Medication Dosage
Imagine a scenario where a patient’s life depends on the precise administration of medication. Now, picture a nurse or doctor relying on guesswork instead of a high quality precision calibrated scale. It’s a troubling thought. Scales in healthcare ensure that medications are administered accurately, down to the milligram. In some cases, this accuracy could be a matter of life or death, particularly when dealing with potent medications or vulnerable patients.
2. Monitoring Patient Health
In healthcare, monitoring changes in a patient’s weight can be a key indicator of their overall health. Rapid weight loss or gain can signal underlying issues, such as heart problems, kidney dysfunction, or malnutrition. Infant scales, handrail scales, and wheelchair scales are just a few examples of specialized equipment used to monitor patients’ weight accurately. By tracking these changes precisely, healthcare professionals can catch potential problems early and provide timely interventions.
3. Nutritional Assessments
Proper nutrition is fundamental to recovery and overall health. In hospitals and long-term care facilities, nutritional assessments are routine. These assessments, often conducted by dietitians or nutritionists, rely heavily on portion control scales to measure ingredients, portion sizes, and the nutritional content of food. Ensuring that patients receive the right nutrients in the right amounts is essential for their recovery and well-being.
4. Infection Control
Infection control is a top priority in healthcare settings. Scales can contribute significantly to this by reducing the need for direct contact with patients. Bed scales, for example, allow for the measurement of patients’ weight without physically moving them, minimizing the risk of cross-contamination. In an era where infection control is paramount, these accurate scales play a crucial role in maintaining a safe healthcare environment.
5. Accurate Diagnosis
Scales are indispensable tools for diagnosing various medical conditions. One prime example is the Body Mass Index (BMI), which is calculated using a person’s weight and height. A deviation from the healthy BMI range can be an early warning sign for conditions like obesity, malnutrition, or even eating disorders. With accurate measurements, healthcare providers can make informed decisions about patient care and treatment plans.
6. Maternal and Child Health
In the realm of maternal and child health, person weight scales are indispensable. For instance, pediatricians closely monitor a child’s growth to ensure they are hitting developmental milestones. Accurate measurements of an infant’s weight, length, and head circumference are vital in assessing their overall health and development. Similarly, during pregnancy, monitoring maternal weight gain is essential for both the mother’s and the baby’s well-being.
7. Precision in Surgical Procedures
Surgery is a highly precise field in healthcare, and medical scales are essential here as well. Whether it’s weighing organs for transplantation or ensuring that surgical instruments are correctly calibrated, digital scales are integral to surgical procedures. Any deviation from accuracy could have dire consequences for patients undergoing surgery.
8. Managing Chronic Conditions
Patients with chronic conditions like diabetes often need to monitor their weight closely. Scales that sync with electronic health records or mobile apps can help patients and their healthcare providers track changes in weight over time, allowing for more effective disease management. This data can be critical in adjusting treatment plans and preventing complications.
9. Pharmacy Compounding
Pharmacists play a critical role in healthcare by compounding medications to meet specific patient needs. Precision is non-negotiable in this field, as even a slight error in medication dosage can have severe consequences. Pharmaceutical weighing equipment ensure that each compound is prepared accurately, guaranteeing patient safety and treatment effectiveness.
10. Research and Clinical Trials
In the pursuit of new medical treatments and therapies, research and clinical trials are essential. Weighing scales are instrumental in these endeavors, helping researchers measure the precise dosage of investigational drugs and assess the impact of treatments. The accuracy of scales can make or break the success of a clinical trial, potentially affecting millions of lives.
Medical grade scales might not always take the spotlight in the healthcare field, but their importance cannot be overstated. From ensuring the correct dosage of life-saving medications to monitoring patient health, electronic scales play a vital role in the precision and accuracy of healthcare practices. The digital scales are the unsung, behind the scenes, items safeguarding patient well-being and contributing to the overall effectiveness of healthcare delivery. If you are interested in any of our various types of medical scales that we offer, be sure to contact our sales department (919) 776-7737 to discuss scale options and brands that we recommend.
We get this question all the time and it’s a fair question. What makes one weighing scale better quality than another? Sure, it can be worded a little differently like why is one scale priced so much higher than the other, even though they look identical? The answers can vary from scale type to scale type.
Why Does One Scale Cost So Much More Than Another?
So why does one scale cost so much more than another? Here are a few reasons.
The country the scale was manufactured in
The quality of the components inside the scale
The construction of the scale itself
A lithium ion battery vs. a lead acid battery
IP68 enclosure vs. IP65 enclosure
Stainless Steel enclosure vs. painted steel or plastic enclosure
The warranty of the item
The reputation of the scale manufacturer
Probably no better example exists on this subject than floor scales. We have floor scales that we offer that basically look very similar to one another that are essentially $2000 different on price. How do you explain that difference? Well, let’s try to do just that below.
Our industrial floor scale is a 4×4 with 5000 LB capacity. NTEP approved. Stainless Weight Indicator with battery. It weighs approximately 300 pounds.
Our light industrial floor scale is a 4×4 with 5000 LB capacity. NTEP approved. Stainless Weight Indicator with battery. It weighs approximately 220 pounds.
Essentially, that eighty pound difference in the physical weight of the scale platform is one big reason there’s approximately $2000 difference in price.
If you are a metal recycler for example, then you likely want good quality scales that are built tough and can handle the daily abuse that weighing equipment is going to take in that environment. The last thing you want in that environment is a scale platform that can’t handle the thousands of pounds of weight. So in this example, yes the additional cost is likely worth it when you average out the years of service the scale will provide.
However, if you’re a shipping warehouse that weighs a few 800 pound pallets everyday, then you probably don’t need the more expensive scale.
Ultimately, this is where discussing your particular weighing needs with your scale sales person is a smart thing. Give us a call or fill out the RFQ form on our website.
Better Quality Weighing Equipment or Low Priced Scales?
Really, there are numerous factors that can determine the overall quality of a weighing scale. Some of the most important factors include:
Accuracy: A high-quality weighing scale should be able to accurately measure the weight of an object. This is often determined by the scale’s sensitivity and resolution. We recommend choosing NTEP approved weighing equipment for reputable scale manufacturers for the best results.
Repeatability: A good weighing scale should be able to consistently produce the same weight reading for the same object. Often with lower quality items, this can become a problem.
Construction: A good scale is designed to last for years of service. This is where you need to discuss your weighing needs with your sales person and determine if industrial or light industrial weighing equipment makes sense for you.
Resolution: The resolution of a scale refers to the smallest weight that the scale can measure. A scale with high resolution will be able to measure small weights more accurately than a scale with low resolution. This often comes into play with counting scales and lab balances.
Stability: A high-quality scale should be stable and not drift or fluctuate over time. Once again better quality items tend to be more stable and consistent.
Durability: A scale that is built to last will be of higher quality than one that is prone to breaking or malfunctioning. We recommend choosing reputable scale brands with a good reputation in the scale industry vs. cheap imported scales.
Ease of use: A scale that is easy to use, with clear instructions and a user-friendly interface, will be better than one that is difficult to operate. Scales that are easy to use is a good thing. Don’t just think about you or the one employee who is using the scale. Also think about the person who has to fill in and learn how to use the scale.
Customer support: A scale manufacturer that provides good customer support and stands behind their product is likely to offer higher quality products. We have several reputable scale manufacturers who offer quality weighing equipment that we’ve sold and serviced for many years.
Ultimately what it really comes down to in our opinion is communication between the buyer or procurement manager and the scale salesperson. That seems simple. But in today’s point and click and add to shopping cart world that we live in, it’s really important to be on the same page. When you ask the question what makes one weighing scale better quality than another, you need to discuss this subject with your scale sales person, who can assist you with appropriate product choices that will best fit what you’re trying to do.
We’re going to discuss something that many folks wonder about the first couple of times they are tasked with buying scales.
What Does it Mean when you see 5000 x 1 on a Scale?
If you’ve done any research at all online for scales, you’ve probably seen something written like 5000 x 1, or perhaps you’ve requested a quote and seen that number written. Either way, you may be wondering what these mean. 5000 x 1 lb, or it could be 60 x 0.02lb or it may have been 3000 g by 0.01g. 120,000 x 20 lb, 500 x 0.1 lb etc….
But what exactly does that mean? It’s actually pretty simple.
In the case of 5000 x 1 lb, this means that the total weighing capacity of the scale is 5000 pounds and the scale increases or decreases in weight by 1 lb increments from zero all the way to 5000 lb.
Some people refer to the 1 lb in this example as the readability or the graduation size. In the 60 x 0.02 lb example, it would be as follows, 60 lb is the capacity and 0.02 lb is the graduation size that the scale increases or decreases by from zero all the way to 60 lb. Continue reading →
Airlines could soon require some passengers to step on the digital weigh scale or provide their weight before boarding the airplane.
The initiative, which was described in a recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) advisory, attempts to provide new data on average passenger weights as the current numbers allegedly don’t reflect today’s higher obesity rates in the US. By adding this requirement, this would help aircrafts not exceed their allowable weight limit. Essentially, the FAA wants to determine how much heavier Americans have gotten over the past decade.
If this becomes the new standard, the new mandates would require airlines to take surveys to establish average passenger weights for crew members, airline baggage and passengers.
Once they’ve chosen a traveler, an operator may determine the actual weight of passengers by having them step on a scale before boarding the aircraft. However, if that’s not an option, they’re urged to ask each passenger their weight, while making sure to add 10 pounds to account for clothing.
Of course when it comes weighing people in a public setting… privacy needs to be considered, which is why the FAA also provided guidelines on conducting the procedure in a way that protects passenger privacy.
They stipulate that the scale readout should remain hidden from public view while an operator should ensure that any passenger weight data collected remains confidential. Travelers have the option of declining to participate in any passenger or bag weight survey, per the guidelines. You can read much more on this subject by viewing the original article
What do you think about this subject? I guess it makes sense as long as the airlines do a good job with privacy and being discreet. However, what happens if you total up all the passenger and baggage weight and it’s too much? Are certain people asked to leave? Well, whatever you need regarding this subject, we can provide you. Bench Scales to weigh airplane passengers, Airplane Baggage Scales and more…
DETECTO’s USA-made HealthySole® is the first clinically-proven UVC product to kill up to 99.99% of exposed microorganisms, such as bacterial and viral pathogens, on the soles of shoes in 8 seconds. HealthySole® is also effective against fungi and bacterial spores that travel on shoe soles leading to the spread of infection via inhalation or horizontal translation from surface and air contamination. By adding HealthySole® to an existing infection control program, the facility will decrease the overall microbial load starting with shoe and floor contamination.
HealthySole® HSPlus UVC Disinfection System significantly decreases the aerosolizing, migration, or transfer of deadly pathogens that lead to higher healthcare-associated infections (HAI) rates. HealthySole® is green technology that disinfects without using harmful chemicals. ETL/CETL and CE listed.
Below is a list of frequently asked questions that customers are curious about before making a purchase.
Q. So how does your product work?
A. Upon entering the O.R. corridor either through the front entrance or through locker rooms, each clinician would step onto the Healthysole® Plus device. The HealthySole® Plus informs the clinician that their shoes are properly aligned and starts an 8-second count down opening up the shutters and exposing the soles or booties to the germ killing ultraviolet light. At the end of eight seconds a green check mark appears letting you know the process has been completed.
Q. Are there any studies that show the quantitative reduction of HAIs in a certain hospital once HealthySole® Plus was introduced?
A. In today’s battle of fighting HAIs, hospitals are using an arsenal of UVC products and equipment such as robots or air and water treatment systems to kill pathogens from those reservoirs. This lack of options is leaving the shoe soles untouched. To answer your question, three independent third-party laboratories including the Cleveland VA, Texas Medical Center Houston and Microchem Labs have tested and proven an over 99% kill rate for MRSA, VRE, CRE, Streptococcus and Pseudomonas.
Q. What will HealthySole® Plus do differently compared to other disinfectants or types of new technology such as whole room plasma machines, UVC robots or chemical environmental decontamination?
A. HealthySole® Plus is an active 24/7 chemical free, UV disinfection technology that when stood on will consistently lower the over microbial load throughout a healthcare environment and even more specifically in the targeted environment. The best
practice for infection control programs is to bundle all the necessary effective technologies to address every potential vector for the spread of infectious pathogens. There is no silver bullet; however, when technologies and chemicals are bundled properly the highest potential for environmental de-contamination is achieved.
Although technology such as ion disinfection systems are an attempt at 24/7 disinfection technology, they only theoretically lower the load in the particular room they are used in and don’t treat the shoe soles nor stop the spread of organisms from entering or exiting an environment. There are areas within healthcare that cannot use this type of ionization or other aerosol or mist technologies. HealthySole® Plus can be used in any environment in healthcare even in conjunction with technology such as these.
UVC robots are a good use of UVC technology to reduce microbial load on visible surfaces. Any shadowed or obscured area is not treated. As well, they do not address the spread of organisms entering and exiting environments via shoe soles. The first person to walk into a robot-decontaminated room will re-introduce all the infectious organisms via shoe soles to that room. Also, UVC robots treat rooms on a case-by-case basis, which requires added healthcare personnel to manage the unit each time it is placed in a room. People cannot be present while this technology is in use, which is contrary to the use of
the HealthySole® Plus. HealthySole® Plus can be placed at any room or hallway where people are present 24/7 and work in tandem in rooms where robots are deployed.
Chemicals are also good for environmental cleaning purposes; however, they are not used all day long, nor can they keep the floors clean when shoes step on a previously de-contaminated floor. Although chemicals are very necessary, they are a quick fix of a contaminated or soiled location, which will be rapidly re-contaminated. Chemicals often cannot be deployed often enough, fast enough, or in certain environments. Because HealthySole® Plus is a non-chemical use of disinfection technology, it can be used constantly by staff and placed anywhere in a healthcare environment and again work side-by-side existing chemical protocols.
Q. Do we already have established protocols for Hospital Departments?
A. Protocols for HealthySole® Plus in different departments will vary depending on each hospital. The layout, size and traffic flow of the particular department or room will vary from hospital to hospital. For example, if implementing HealthySole® Plus into an ICU, HealthySole® Plus should be placed at each entry/exit point within each separate room. For the highest effectiveness in reducing the overall microbial burden and to reduce the spread of pathogens into and out of the ICU, it should be protocol for all staff and visitors entering and exiting the ICU to stand on HealthySole® Plus (assuming there is not an emergency where a staff member needs to relocate immediately).
If traffic flow is high or if the ICU is divided into separate rooms, HealthySole® Plus units should be added to fulfill the need of separate locations or high traffic volume. This same protocol should be followed in other departments, units or wards such as Dialysis, Wound Care, Cancer Treatment, Burn Treatment, etc.
Operating Rooms and OR corridors also need to have HealthySole® Plus units at each entrance/exit of the critical areas beyond the barrier or “red line.” Hospitals that desire to be most effective in lowering the overall microbial burden inside of each OR, can place a HealthySole® Plus unit outside of each room, designated for the entry and exit of each person to that specific room.
Q. We already have a procedure in place that addresses shoe soles. It is mandatory that all of our OR staff replace booty covers when re-entering the OR area, so why would we need HealthySole® Plus?
A. Studies regarding shoe covers and dedicated theatre booties are both supportive and un-supportive of the practice. If over shoes do decrease the amount of pathogens brought into your OR compared to street shoes, that is good; however, there will still be pathogens present on those booties upon entry. If HealthySole® Plus is used immediately before entering the barrier to the corridor or active OR, the bacterial count will be significantly lower then if not used. By killing up to 99.9+% of the remaining pathogens on the booties or dedicated theatre shoes, you are lowering the pathogenic load in the OR and
decreasing the risk of infections.
Remember, 33-37% of HAIs are surgical site infections, many of which come from the OR. Lastly, booties don’t kill the organisms on the soles of the shoes when applied, they simply cover them up. HealthySole® Plus kills the organisms not allowing them to survive or replicate and lowers the OR environmental microbial burden. As well, the HealthySole® Plus can be used in conjunction with over shoe booties, continuing to further strengthen the hospitals fight against infectious pathogens.
Q. We have constant traffic with staff in and out of rooms; therefore, it’s not realistic to have them stand on the unit for 8 seconds each time.
A. Whether or not we like it, ICUs and PICUs suffer issues from dangerous pathogens and all possible Infectious Control hygiene measures must be used to address this. Shoe soles have been proven to be an unaddressed reservoir of infectious pathogens in a hospital environment and are the first step that leads to infection transmission if not addressed properly. It is recommended whenever possible* to use HealthySole® Plus by each person entering the ICU/PICU for an 8-second kill cycle, in order to reduce millions of organisms from entering that critical environment. *As long as that person is not time restricted due to emergency.
Strict hand hygiene guidelines can be somewhat time consuming however critically necessary. Hand hygiene protocols include the use of gloves, minimal numbers of cleaning locations and dispensers and often suggest washing procedures that can
take up to 2 minutes to be effective. These protocols are required prior to treating a patient; furthermore, they are used between separate tasks on one patient and always between tasks on other patients.
The HealthySole® Plus and its ability to reduce germs within a space means it should be handled like hand hygiene as a major barrier to stop the spread of infectious pathogens in an ICU/PICU as well as other acute areas. This consistent use of the HealthySole® Plus will ultimately keep patients and staff safe and healthy as well as reduce widespread infection within a facility.
Contact our sales team (919) 776-7737 or visit our website to get a quote.
DETECTO’s brand-new solo® eye-level clinical scale is the most economical, high-quality digital physician scale with height rod available. The solo® doctor scale is in stock and available now for orders. The Detecto solo® indicator features 8 simple buttons that are easily identifiable in any language.
The scale’s RS-232 serial port allows you to output measurement data to EMR/EHR software. Simply step on the scale to weigh and the scroll arrows let you rapidly enter your height to factor BMI. Call us at (919) 776-7737 to request a quote today.
• 550 lb x 0.2 lb / 250 kg x 0.1 kg capacity
• 14 in W x 15 in D x 2.4 in H low-profile platform
• Inline mechanical height rod
• Eye-level weight display and column
• One-inch-high LCD readouts
• Body Mass Index calculation
• Integral wheels for mobility
• RS232 serial port
• Convenient audible beep confirmation
• Powered by 6 AA batteries (included) or an optional AC adapter
The scale’s mechanical height rod is situated to the side of the LCD, so it never interferes with viewing measurements. The oversized 14 x 15 inch platform with rubber mat is only 2.4 inches high making it easy for patients to step on and off. The AC port is located in the base, so no pesky wires dangle from up on the indicator (AC Adapter optional: model PD-AC). Two integral wheels allow for ease of movement whenever you need to transport the solo®.
Detecto Scale, an ISO-9001 certified scale manufacturer, markets a complete line of quality weighing products for the healthcare, foodservice and shipping/logistics industries. Detecto’s headquarters and factory is in Webb City, Missouri, USA with warehouses in Canada and England and distributors in over 110 countries. Founded in 1900, Detecto Scale is the largest medical scale manufacturer in the United States.
The family-owned and privately-held company employs a staff of 350 associates trained in manufacturing high-quality weighing products. Detecto’s customer service, technical support, and aftermarket parts departments are all located at the factory headquarters in Webb City, MO. The company offers software, hardware, and connectivity support directly from the factory.
Many times when a person goes to the Physicians Office, all the person does is step on the digital scale (or mechanical scale) and the nurse writes down the individuals body weight. Then not much at all is said about the patients weight. At this point, the nurse might check the person’s height but often times will just confirm what is in their medical record.Then once the patient sees the doctor, they may or may not mention the weight, usually it depends on time restraints or what the appointment is actually related to. Wouldn’t it be nice for the patient to automatically get a targeted print-out sheet of their weight along with Body Mass Index information and recommendations to improve their BMI?
The seca directprint is the ideal tool for raising awareness about maintaining a healthy weight. Not only does it tell your patients their height, weight and BMI, but it compiles their measurements into an easy-to-read one page printout which includes sound information and tips on weight management. In seconds, it provides the ideal ice-breaker for your overweight patients by drawing attention to the subject of overweight and obesity without making them feel uncomfortable.
This removes inhibitions, makes people more willing to talk, and motivates your patients in the long term to tackle the subject more rigorously and do something about it. This in turn can generate economic benefits for your practice, since you can now offer additional services.
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