Make a break for it
EPS, Inc., introduces the SafeBreak disposable plastic fracture and safety collars, designed to protect health care providers from glass splinters when breaking ampules. Just fit the collar over the top of the ampule, squeeze snugly, and snap to safely open. Available in three sizes to accommodate all sizes of ampules, the SafeBreak collar is quick, easy, and according to the manufacturer, it minimizes the risk of cross-contamination too.
Information: http://www.nursingcenter.com/nmie/upfront
Protection for little hands
Sani-Hands for Kids instant hand sanitizing wipes by PDI are now available to schools, childcare facilities, children's hospitals, and pediatric dental offices. Easy to use, the premoistened wipes contain emollients, like aloe and vitamin E, to protect little hands from drying. The wipes are available in 220- and 135-count containers and in individual on-the-go packets.
Information: http://www.nursingcenter.com/nmie/upfront
Cloth solutions
Sage Products offers the 2% Chlorhexidine Gluconate Cloth, with an alcohol-free preoperative skin preparation formula that's approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (500 mg of chlorhexidine gluconate in each cloth). The formula is rinse-free, quick-drying, and continues antimicrobial activity for up to 6 hours after application. The cloths have surfactants to loosen dirt and debris while softening the skin with moisturizers, and their large size makes it easy to prep body contours and hard-to-reach areas.
Information: http://www.nursingcenter.com/nmie/upfront
Who are you calling a scrub?
Cardinal Health, Inc., unveils the Pyxis ScrubStation, an automated system that electronically secures, tracks, and distributes scrubs. The ScrubStation system enables hospitals to improve workflow efficiency and inventory control, reduce costs associated with scrub management, and help ensure that scrubs are always available. And when stock is running low or return stations are reaching full capacity, an automated alert via e-mail, various paging systems, or other mobile devices is triggered. To help control access, the ScrubStation also offers the Pyxis BioID fingerprint identification system, which verifies a user's identity with a fingerprint scan before granting access to the unit.
Information: http://www.nursingcenter.com/nmie/upfront
A personal valet
The Tray Valet by Health Care Logistics is a molded plastic tray that holds a patient's hearing aids, eyeglasses, and dentures. Use of the Tray Valet keeps patient aids visible and accessible at all times and provides a consistent location where these items can easily be found. By ensuring that aids are either in use by the patient or on the tray, the product can eliminate the frustrating scavenger hunt and time wasted searching for these valuable items. Easy accessibility of sensory aids may also help decrease the risk of falls.
Information: http://www.nursingcenter.com/nmie/upfront
Not your grandmother's calculator
Lexi-Comp, Inc., offers Lexi-CALC, a collection of medical calculators for personal digital assistants, including calculators for estimating body mass index, body surface area, creatinine clearance, heparin dosing, ideal body weight (adult and pediatric), metric conversions, various drug infusions, and medication concentrations. Lexi-CALC is currently available for Palm OS devices, and will soon be available for Pocket PC and Lexi-Comp Online. It's built on Lexi-Comp's user-friendly interfaces, directly linking each dosing field under a drug monograph to the appropriate calculator. To further facilitate a smoother workflow for improved patient care, Lexi-CALC also includes a "favorites" category for marking specific calculations, and a "history" category that provides a list of the 12 most recently used calculators.
Information: http://www.nursingcenter.com/nmie/upfront
this just in...
According to the American Cancer Society, cancer deaths have decreased for a second straight year. The drop from 2002 to 2003 was the first annual decrease in total cancer deaths since 1930, but it was only a decline of 369 deaths. In 2003 and 2004, however, the death rate declined by about 2% each year. The largest drop in deaths was seen in colorectal cancer; declines were also noted in breast and prostate cancers and in men with lung cancer. Experts attribute this success to a decrease in smoking, earlier detection, and more effective treatments. The American Cancer Society now believes that cancer deaths will continue to drop.