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Fall-related injuries are the leading cause of injury deaths in older adults. The fact that the majority of falls can be prevented means that education and safety measures are of the utmost importance for facilities everywhere. September 22 marks the annual observance of Fall Prevention Awareness Week and it's a great opportunity to spread fall prevention education and upgrade patient safety accessories in your facility. Let's take a look at the importance of Fall Prevention Safety Week and some of the accessories that Z&Z Medical carries to prevent those unexpected falls with patients while in your care.   

The Dangers of Falling

Falls occur not only to patients, but to employees, as well. Hospitals are surprisingly dangerous environments, with employees reporting injury and illness at almost double the rate of their private industry counterparts. Furthermore, 25 percent of these injuries come from falls, slips and trips. When it comes to patients, a fall can be the beginning of a terrible series of medical problems, all of which could be prevented by taking proper precautions. Failure to do so could result in liability on part of your facility and, even worse, disastrous results for the patients that you're intending to care for.

Reasons for Falls

It's important to reduce as many hazardous circumstances that lead to preventable falls as possible and this means keeping an eye out for the biggest culprits. Slippery surfaces, cluttered areas and uneven ramps or floors are host to many falls. It's our job to eliminate these hazards in medical facilities and to educate our patients to do the same in their own homes. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration offers a great eTool that you can use as a resource to prevent slips, trips and falls.

Patient Immobilizer Straps

At Z&Z Medical, we encourage the use of patient immobilizers to further reduce the occurrence of falls in older and/or sedated patients while in medical imaging.  Patient Immobilizer Straps  are single band patient positioner that wraps underneath the table pad and encircles the patient, attaching at the front with hook and loop fasteners. They secure the patient comfortably. They are radiolucent and are easy to clean with 10% bleach solution or disinfectant wipes and sprays.  They won't limit respiration or circulation and they'll keep a patient firmly in place without causing any discomfort. They're perfect for use in MRI, CT or x-ray procedures.   

Take advantage of Fall Prevention Awareness Week to make your work environment safer for patients, workers and visitors alike. Use the resources provided by OHSA and consider this week an opportunity to inform all co-workers of the dangers associated with hospital falls. Come learn more about Z&Z Medical patient handling accessories including and immobilizer strap offerings today.

A bit of foot pampering is something we all enjoy…Turns out elephants are no different. And when you weigh several thousand kilos, foot issues can be a real problem if they go undetected.  X-raying the feet of elephants is no easy task. There is always the fear of breaking the X-ray receptor plate. Being able to image their feet is really important in order to maximize their welfare. While you may not be x-raying elephants every day, but if you do or are in need of a CR/DR Image Receptor with a very high weight capacity – we’ve got you covered. Z&Z Medical carries a Weight Bearing CR and DR Tunnel Panel Protector that will protect up to 2000 lbs!  The VetView Tunnel can be used in typical veterinary practices for large-sized animals as well as in zoos and aquatic settings. They are available in different sizes and configurations and will support up to 1000 lbs weight. 

Don’t forget to celebrate the Elephant on September 22nd! Show your appreciation today by visiting the elephants at your local zoo. Get involved. Learn more about these magnificent animals and learn about conservation and eliminating poaching.    

#ElephantAppreciationDay

September 21st every year is World Alzheimer’s Day around the world. This is an international campaign aimed at raising awareness and challenge the common stigma that surrounds Alzheimer related dementia. September 2023 marks the 12th year of this vital global awareness raising campaign.

Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that impairs memory and other mental functions. It is the most common form of dementia that generalizes memory loss and loss of other essential cognitive abilities that are serious enough to interfere with an individual’s daily life. From previous studies, an average of 2 out of 3 people globally have little or no understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and associated dementia in their countries.

Since its inception, the impact of World Alzheimer’s Month is increasing. However, the stigmatisation and lack of information surrounding dementia remains to be a global problem that calls for global action. As outlined in our World Alzheimer Report 2019, many people still wrongly believe that dementia is a part of normal ageing. This alone highlights how important public awareness campaigns, like World Alzheimer’s Month, are for changing perceptions and increasing existing public knowledge around Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.   
 
With the number of people living with dementia set to almost triple by 2050, it has never been more important to recognise the risk factors associated with dementia and take proactive steps towards risk reduction. As such, this year’s theme ‘Never too early, never too late’, centres on the key risk factors and risk reduction, aiming to emphasise their crucial role in delaying and potentially preventing the onset of dementia. This also importantly includes ongoing risk reduction for those who have already been diagnosed. 

It is only through a truly global effort that we can raise much needed awareness and challenge the stigma and misinformation that still surrounds dementia, and we are calling on everyone to do something during September, however small or large, through the campaign ‘Know Dementia, Know Alzheimer’s’.

World Alzheimer’s Month | Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) (alzint.org)

The world of healthcare is constantly evolving, with advancements in medical technology providing better patient care and improved outcomes. Among these innovations, one that stands out for its simplicity and effectiveness is the ivNOW fluid warmer. Designed to address the critical issue of administering cold intravenous fluids, this revolutionary device is transforming the way healthcare professionals deliver treatment, ensuring patient comfort and safety. The ivNOW fluid warmer is engineered to effectively warm intravenous fluids to a temperature that is safe and comfortable for patients. By maintaining a consistent and appropriate temperature, the device reduces risk of complications related to cold fluid infusion.

The ivNOW fluid warmer is compact and portable! can be mounted on the wall, boom, mobile pole, or countertop. Available as a single, double or triple unit.

The ivNOW fluid warmer represents a game-changer in infusion therapy, ensuring that patients receive intravenous fluids at a safe and comfortable temperature. By preventing the administration of cold fluids, this innovative device reduces the risk of complications, enhances patient comfort, and optimizes treatment outcomes. As technology continues to advance, the ivNOW fluid warmer stands as a prime example of how simple yet effective solutions can significantly impact patient care. With its ease of use, portability, and ability to prevent hypothermia in critical situations, the ivNOW fluid warmer has undoubtedly earned its place as an invaluable tool in the modern healthcare professional's arsenal.

Visit our website today to learn more.

This year, National Rehabilitation Awareness Week is September 18-24. As part of the week, NRAF aims to: educate people about the benefits and impact of rehabilitation, develop programs which aim to increase opportunities for the nearly fifty million Americans with disabilities.  This week, we reflect on the remarkable patient outcomes that are achieved through the #powerofmedicalrehab and reaffirm our commitment to transforming lives. #NationalRehabAwarenessWeek   To learn more about this awareness week visit https://amrpa.org/

If you are interested in Home Health Products to assist you with your rehabilitation and recovery, visit the Home Health Section on our website.