Monday, June 29, 2015
OSHA to Aggressively Pursue Nursing's High Injury Rate
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/06/24/417186384/osha-launches-program-to-protect-nursing-employees
We welcome this effort, but point out that this same PHYSICAL burden presents in other settings: skilled nursing facilities AND patients' homes.
Why not also look at equipment design that help patients move themselves? Addresses so many issues at the same time: patient AND staff staff, patient AND staff satisfaction. With the added benefit of helping the many family caregivers out there who struggle with the same patient lifting challenges!
Monday, May 11, 2015
Let's bring this new way of thinking to the toileting caregiving experience: All parts of the body deserve respect and can inform our health!
Saturday, March 7, 2015
WHILL: DESIGNED FROM THE USER'S POINT OF VIEW
The business model is a challenge from a social equity point of view: Price tag is $10,000.
http://whill.us/blog/james-brings-joy-to-his-community/ test drive http://whill.us/testdrive/
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Wheelchair Users: People who Take Action
http://www.wcvb.com/news/braintree-woman-shovels-town-sidewalks-from-wheelchair/31435238
Friday, February 13, 2015
Finally, Home Health Aide recognized as a member of the Patient's TEAM!
In addition to the Participant (or designee), each IRT will be comprised of a Primary Care Physician, a Care Manager, Behavioral Health Professional,the patient's home health aide,and other providers as requested by the participant.
Finally, policies are reflecting the reality of the caregiving experience: it is about supporting a patient's ability to function in their own home, optimizing their health status to the best of everyone's ability.
NPR: Zwerdling highlights the physical burden of lift-transfer
We would urge Daniel to include the patient's point of view in his coverage. Though ceiling lifts may address a "pain point" for the caregiver, the care recipient still has to wait, gets hoisted through the air (my mother used to think of this as being treated like cattle), and in general is subjected to a dehumanizing interaction with equipment. They have no control or say in the process.
Contrast that with putting the toileting assistance equipment in the hands of the patients. They control the height of the bedside commode, they are able to manage the transfer board so that they feel fully supported, and they get themselves on and off without having to wait for someone to help. While this may not be the answer for everyone, a substantial proportion of those needing toileting assistance will benefit from a solution that incorporates their needs as well as those of the caregiver.
AND, it removes a source of injury from the caregiving experience, while generally enhancing the quality of caregiving for all involved. We understand that a third segment will air next Thursday, 2/18 in the afternoon "All Things Considered."
http://www.npr.org/2015/02/04/382639199/hospitals-fail-to-protect-nursing-staff-from-becoming-patients
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Taking a risk on SMART Home Med Equipment
Healthcare informatics is now a core competency for our company,” he said. “It is a major area for investment that we are using to drive customer value. We are leading the digitization of medicine in the respiratory space, and we are just getting started.”