Articles by Z&Z Medical

In remembrance of all who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country, and all who are serving today - we honor and thank you.

Our physical office will be closed on Monday, May 29th and will re-open on Tuesday. Customers may still place orders online.

We wish all our friends, families, co-workers, and customers a safe and enjoyable weekend!

Theft happens! It cannot be completely avoided; unfortunately, it WILL occur. Theft is a fact of life for healthcare institutions, from gloves … to ultrasound machines … to wheelchairs. It’s almost like the wild, wild west out there when it comes to inventory control.

People can get prickly when you implement a theft prevention process. Don’t let that faze you from doing it! Hospitals must manage wheelchair and mobility device theft more often with protocol than technology.

Use some of the following strategies to help prevent theft in your hospital:

1. 1. Anti-theft device installation: Z&Z Medical carries an Everest & Jennings® Anti-Theft wheelchair that offers a Hospital Transport wheelchair that includes all these features below without having to order each separately. The Traveler HTC features an anti-theft pole, a fixed attendant push handle that acts as an anti-fold device, fixed, non-removable anti-tippers and arms, and front-rigging anti-theft nuts, as well as other convenient features. You CAN however, add these additional anti-theft features to most Everest & Jennings Wheelchairs that we carry.

• Anti-theft post:This device, so tall it cannot go through most doors, can help prevent wheelchair removal. However, some hospitals find this accessory interferes with IV poles or other attachments, so it may not be practical everywhere.

• Front rigging anti-theft nuts:Anti-theft nuts secure front rigging, preventing users from removing or misplacing it. These could prevent the removal of front rigging. Several Everest & Jennings wheelchair models also offer fixed, non-removable front rigging which may be practical in places where there is likely to be front rigging theft.

• Anti-fold bar: An anti-fold bar prevents the wheelchair from folding, making theft much more difficult, since a wheelchair cannot be quickly folded and stashed in a getaway car. Hospitals have used wheelchair anti-folding measures for many years.

3. Escort/Transportation Department protocols: Since these departments are the ones using facility wheelchairs the most, They should maintain control of traffic record-keeping.

4. Assure all wheelchairs are quickly identifiable: This could be upholstery color or a logo design on the back. The Everest & Jennings brand offers a Custom Color Upholstery program to provide an immediate visual check that a wheelchair is in the appropriate place.

5. Surveillance system installation and monitoring:  All-time cameras, motion sensors, RFID, etc. — though not all hospitals have developed RFID systems, the ones who have still faced the problem of being unable to act quickly enough to catch the thief. Such a system allows traceability and could serve as the early detection of a flaw in wheelchair allocation systems.

6. Accurate medical device record-keeping — especially if it has wheels: Every department should be responsible for its equipment, and the best way to keep track of a wheelchair is by its serial number. All Everest & Jennings wheelchairs have serial number decals, unique to each wheelchair, located on the crossbrace. This information will also help provide an accurate police report if a wheelchair is actually stolen.

7. Review and act on theft statistics: If a hospital notices that a certain facility location is robbery-prone, staff can use this information to improve systems. Take action when you catch a thief in your facility.

8. Measure department performance, including how Hospital Employees and Staff engage with anti-theft protocol and policy: Theft is performed by people, and the best way to prevent it is with people as well. Each hospital must create protocols that embrace cost savings and ownership of the tools staff need to perform their jobs. Engage employees to achieve success in managing a problem that is inherent to the hospital workplace.

Z&Z Medical can help you with wrangling in your wheelchair theft. Email us at info@zzmedical for more ideas and advice.

Radiology procedures require precision and accuracy and having the right equipment and accessories is crucial to ensuring success. One such tool is the new Hausted EPC500 Procedure Chair, a state-of-the-art Imaging Chair designed to meet the specific needs of healthcare and imaging professionals during procedures.

The Hausted EPC500 Procedure chair is a versatile and reliable chair that provides comfort to patients and ease of use for medical staff.  It offers A full range of patient positioning provides patient comfort and safety during every phase of care including transport, procedure and recovery. It Improves the quality of care and reduces the risk of patient and staff injury by eliminating multiple patient transfers. Patients can position themselves with handheld controls, which minimizes staff involvement and can help speed recovery time (lock-out feature available). Designed for multiple procedures from treatment rooms to radiology.

The FULL Radiolucent Back allows for multiple imaging procedures. This Radiology Imaging Chair has an industry leading height range of 20 to 40 inches and has the highest weight capacity on the US market today – with 600 lbs.  Take a moment to visit our website to learn more

The purpose of World Turtle Day is to educate people about the things that they can do to protect the habitats of turtle and tortoises. The day was created as a yearly observance to help people celebrate and protect turtles and tortoises and their disappearing habitats around the world. The day is celebrated in a number of ways all over the world from dressing up as turtles or wearing green summer dresses, to saving turtles caught on highways, to research activities. Turtle Day lesson plans and craft projects encourage teaching about turtles in classrooms.

Radiography of turtles is routinely used for evaluation of traumatic injuries and the gastrointestinal and reproductive tract. An x-ray exam typically includes lateral and dorsoventral views. Additional collimated views of areas of interest are often obtained in specific species like the craniocaudal view   to complete the study.

Unlike dogs or cats, whole-body radiographs are taken of turtles in order to visualize the entire main body cavity. In addition, horizontal beam radiographs of turtles and tortoises are important for visualization of the lungs. Turtles can undergo x-ray exams awake, but general anesthesia is sometimes required to ensure good-quality positioning. Conscious turtles and tortoises have the ability to hold their extremities and head within or close to their shells. In the instance of fracture, sedation or anesthesia may be needed to relax the neck or extremity and isolate it, avoiding superimposition with the shell, for a more complete evaluation. Radiographs provide critical information that can greatly affect the outcome of rehabilitation efforts

Z&Z Medical is proud to offer the imaging tools necessary for imaging turtles and tortoises. Popular items like Cassette Holders, Vinyl Bolsters, Radiation Protection items, and other Immobilizers are available on our website and also in the Veterinary section on our website to browse the many accessories that we offer.

This week, May 21-27 is the 49^th annual National EMS Week. A time to celebrate all our EMS practitioners (paramedics, EMT’s, and the entire EMS workforce) and the important work they do in our nation’s communities. This year’s theme is EMS: Where Emergency Care Begins. We thank you for your service and sacrifice.