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Modern hospital beds address risk of falls, pressure ulcers

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Each year, between 700,000 and 1 million patients fall in a hospital in the United States, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research.

About a third of those falls result in an injury to the patient. Sadly, about 11,000 of those falls lead to deaths. The agency estimates that non-fatal falls in adults 65 years and older cost about $50 billion each year, while fatal falls average a cost of $754 million each year.

Pressure ulcers are another all-too-frequent occurrence in hospitals. In some U.S. facilities, as many as a third of patients develop some degree of pressure ulcer while being treated or while recuperating from a surgical procedure.
To avoid becoming part of these statistics, hospitals have developed extensive protocols to reduce the risk of falls as well as patients developing pressure ulcers. One of the most effective methods of minimizing risk is to provide patients with beds and mattresses that incorporate the most current technology that can warn health care workers of potential issues.

Companies making high-quality hospital beds are Umano, Span-America and Oxy-Mat. All are leaders in the industry, well respected and available through Keckler Medical.

Umano’s beds are used in many health care settings — from high-acuity critical care through long-term care and even inpatient psychiatric or correctional health. They are designed to maximize fall prevention and infection control, while being easy to use for caregivers and the lowest total cost of ownership for the hospital’s budget.

One of their most important features is the low height of 10 inches off the floor, reducing the risk of a fall while the patient is in the bed as well as making it easier for patients to get in and out of bed. Ingress and egress are two of the riskiest times for falls.
Sensors alert nurses to when a patient gets out of bed, rolls near the edge or moves the upper torso (level of sensitivity controlled by caregiver). Lightweight construction and dual casters make the beds easy to move, but they also are sturdy – they can handle maximum patient weights up to 1,060 pounds, and have length and width adjustments for bariatric or taller patient needs.
The beds also include an integrated computer system, which incorporates the latest technology such as full-color smart screens, turn reminders, unique safety warnings and a system that logs patient weights and exit alarms. There are USB ports and auxiliary outlets to provide ease of use (for the caregiver and patient), reduce fall risk, remove trip hazards and allow for software upgrades over time.

Span-America and Oxy-Mat both offer mattresses that reduce the risk of pressure ulcers and skin shearing.

Span-America’s mattresses incorporate low air loss and pressure redistribution technology where body length air chambers slowly inflate and deflate to reduce pressure points and turn the patient every 12 to 15 minutes. Its Geo-Mattress® UltraMax™ reactive surface with 3-Dimensional Zoning™ offers protection to the seat section against “bottoming out” even during repeated head and foot of bed elevating. The UltraMax™ bi-directional stretch cover prevents heels, hips and shoulder blades from “digging into” the surface. Instead, patients are gently guided back to the original position following head of bed elevation.

The Oxy-Mat mattress has air pockets in foam that disperse pressure points “on the bony prominences” of the body. The unique design reduces the vertical and horizontal shear forces that lead to pressure ulcers in the sacrum, scapula, trochanter, ischium, head and heels. The mattress helps the patient’s own body to naturally optimize deep-tissue blood oxygen values in anatomical areas at the greatest risk of pressure injury development.

Whether the hospital’s initiatives are to reduce the risk of patient falls, reduce the risk of pressure ulcers, reduce the risk of hospital acquired infections or maximize (recently) reduced capital budgets, Keckler Medical can assist with products from Umano Medical, Span-America and Oxy-Mat.

System helps hospitals rebuild operating room revenue

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In mid-March 2020, most hospitals in the United States began to cancel elective surgeries in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce the risk of the infection spreading.

This decision had a significant impact on hospitals’ bottom lines. According to the April 16 issue of Becker’s Hospital Review, the typical hospital – with 11 operating rooms (the U.S. median) and a surgical average of 58 cases per month (the U.S. average) – likely cancelled in the neighborhood of 60% of those elective surgeries. In that average hospital, that equates to 375 surgeries that didn’t happen. Some hospitals have expressed losing multiple millions of “typical” revenue per month to the cutback in cases.
Since COVID-based restrictions began lifting in May, hospitals have found themselves in a very difficult situation playing catch-up on these elective procedures. Many outpatient surgery centers were not hit as hard by COVID-19 restrictions and have been able to continue operations somewhat near normal case volume.
As hospitals strategize ways to quickly rebuild surgical revenue, Keckler Medical offers two proven systems that increase efficiency, improve patient safety, save time and reduce costs.

SteriCUBE saves time, money

The first is the SteriCUBE system, which offers a measureable improvement in the processing of instrument trays. SteriCUBE’s advantages include:
  • Improved Patient Safety. It removes the risk of having holes in the blue wrap, wet packs or contaminated trays that need to be re-sterilized.
  • Increased Productivity. It eliminates prep time devoted to wrapping instrument trays in blue wrap as well as the time needed to check each wrap in the OR for holes. It also allows hospitals to keep 12 “surgery-ready” instrument trays that can be grouped together and stored for up to 30 days locked in the cube. Faster start times can lead to improved morale of surgeons and the surgical staff.
  • Dramatically Reduced Costs. It lowers costs associated with materials and labor including wraps, corner protection, linen, individual rigid containers, technician overtime expense, bio-hazardous waste and workers comp injuries.

“We have been able to reduce set up time in the OR down to 2 minutes and 18 seconds from our average of 30 minutes,”

When questions arise, Keckler Medical team has the answers

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Keckler Medical is known for the quality of the medical equipment and supplies it has sold to hospitals, surgery centers and doctor’s offices for nearly five decades. The company also has earned a sterling reputation for customer service.

Keckler Medical’s motto is “it’s all about what happens after the sale.” Those words are borne out each time a customer reaches out to ask for help with a piece of equipment or product that has been purchased.

It is also why we formed J.M. Keckler Bio Medical Service, Inc., which is committed to provide high-quality, high-functioning services through long-term maintenance contracts or one-time responses.

When customers call, here are the top five troubleshooting questions we ask:

Q.

Is the equipment plugged in and does it have power?

It sounds simple, but you’d been surprised how often this comes up, almost always in relation to operating rooms. ORs typically have many cords and cables running across the floors that can make it difficult to see if all the machines are plugged in. That’s why one of the first questions we ask is, “Is the equipment plugged in at both ends?” Good cable management can help reduce the stress on your cables. It also is an important part of creating an effective and efficient operating room for physicians and hospital staff. Avoid contouring cables in a way that may create undue stress at the connection point to the equipment or power outlet.

Q.

How long have the issues been happening or how long has the equipment been down or acting up?

It is important to know when the equipment first started having issues.  As we review the timeline of issues, we can troubleshoot the equipment more effectively and possibly come up with the solution more quickly. We encourage all customers to reach out to us by phone or email at the first sign of any problem.

Q.

Have you changed how you are using your equipment?

Changing how you use a piece of equipment may result in functions that you have not previously experienced. If that’s the case, we recommend that you consult the owner’s manual, a certified technician or the manufacturer for specific operating directions.
Changes in protocols, team members or auxiliary equipment also can affect the proper function of your equipment. It’s possible that all that is needed is additional training for those new to the process.
In the case of sterilizers, sometimes the water or steam the sterilizer needs to be tested to ensure proper water quality. Cart washers also are sensitive pieces of equipment. Issues sometimes pop up because of changes to the boilers or heat exchangers that heat the water, or the water treatment systems.

Q.

Have you recently replaced any parts or made any mechanical changes to your equipment?

When changing parts on equipment, there sometimes are unforeseen issues that cause other parts on the equipment to fail. That could indicate compatibility issues between new and old parts, or the new part could cause stress on an older part.
Our JMK Bio Medical Service technicians welcome an opportunity to help customers in these situations. If equipment is still under warranty, customers also can call the manufacturer for assistance.

Q.

Are you and your team members trained on the proper use of the equipment?

Medical equipment is a complex piece of machinery. Reading and reviewing the owner’s manual and implementing proper training for all who use the equipment will help everyone understand its full ability. If you don’t have a clear understanding of how the equipment works and how it can be used most efficiently, reach out to a certified technician.
Again, our team at JMK Bio Medical Service is ready to help. We recognize the vital nature of the medical industry and its impact on the communities it serves. Our purpose is to position each of our customers so they can provide the best medical care they can in every single case.

Do you have a question for JMK Bio Medical Service team? If so, please call (800) 523-1010.

Germ-killing robots help Keckler Medical meet COVID-19 demand

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When hundreds of hospitals in California and northern Nevada had to swiftly improve their ability to disinfect rooms, surfaces and other items because of the COVID-19 pandemic, they knew exactly where to turn for critical equipment and supplies: Keckler Medical.

Keckler Medical has been a trusted supplier of high-quality medical equipment for nearly 50 years, so it was no surprise when its customers – operating facilities on the front lines of a global health crisis — began clamoring for items from their longtime partner.
“We work with every single hospital north of Bakersfield and Santa Barbara; maybe 250 acute care hospitals. We’ve heard from most of them,” said Brett Manning, Keckler’s sales development manager. “In the beginning, it was all hospitals. Now, it also includes dentists, doctors’ offices and surgery centers that are preparing to re-open.”
Among the most asked about items are germ-killing robots that use ultraviolet light to infuse and disinfect rooms and ElectroClave UV light disinfection boxes, used for smaller, high-touch items. Keckler also offers many other equipment items to meet the needs of customers suddenly faced with COVID safety challenges:
  • Swab and transport mediums, rapid IgG/IgM antibody tests and protective testing exam screens
  • Disposable/recyclable curtains treated with antimicrobial elements
  • Hospital beds (emergency, ICU, telemetry)
  • Hospital-grade disinfecting wipes and spray
  • UV-C ceiling air purification system
  • Washable, antimicrobial keyboards/mice/screen protect
  • Stretchers, exam tables, wheelchairs, recliners, overbed tables, transfer boards and patient positioners

Robots disinfect surfaces

The robots made by Skytron and Surfacide are used to disinfect operating rooms, patient rooms or any other high-traffic setting with many hard surfaces. The tall robotic cylinders emit UV-C wavelength light rays that alter the DNA of the micro-organisms so they are unable to reproduce, thus becoming harmless to humans, Manning explained. The systems typically are sold in sets of two or three robots, and are strategically placed in a room to provide as much UV-C disinfecting light as possible to the various surfaces of the room.

The UV-C rays are so powerful that no one can be in the room during treatment, which takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on the size of the room. The robots augment – but do not replace – the deep manual cleaning provided by hospital housecleaning crews. The ElectroClave serves a similar function. About the size of a microwave oven, it also uses UV light to quickly disinfect small high-touch items like cellphones, pens, keys, telemetry boxes and staff ID badges.
It’s not only hospitals that are concerned about preventing the spread of the coronavirus. Law enforcement agencies in the Bay Area and Central Valley also have ordered the robots and ElectroClaves from Keckler Medical to enhance the safety of the environment in their facilities, especially jails.

Hospital, facilities looking ahead

Manning said medical centers that are preparing for a potential surge in COVID patients have ordered or rented extra beds, stretchers, patient monitors and other equipment to furnish emergency spaces they hope they never have to use. “A lot of hospitals needed additional beds and built supplementary areas of care outside of the hospital,” he said.
Keckler’s warehouse houses some of the supplies, but many items have to be ordered directly from the manufacturers. Delivery times range from a week or two to a month, depending upon the item and the demand from the market. With many hospitals and medical facilities all wanting the same things, planning ahead is critical, Manning said.
And when equipment is delivered, Keckler Medical’s experienced staff stands ready to help with any training that is necessary. Keckler’s motto is “it’s all about what happens after the sale.” “We’re there for our customers,” Manning said. “We want to assist them in any way that we can to ensure whatever they’ve ordered fulfills their needs. We stand behind our products and we want them to know that they can call us with anything they need.”

About Keckler Medical: J.M. Keckler Medical Co., Inc. is a premier supplier of medical and surgical equipment and technologies specializing in hospitals, surgery centers, clinics and physicians’ offices in Northern California and Nevada. Its vision is to help its customers achieve operational excellence through superior service. Since 1973, it has earned national recognition because of its dedication to sales expertise, reliable technical support and knowledgeable customer service. For more, visit its website at http://r5i.689.myftpupload.com/ or call (209) 847-4100.