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January 18, 2021
Carolyn Cumper
The Best Weight Scales for Your Hospital, Clinic, or Home
Scales are used everywhere, from hospitals and clinics to health centres and domestic homes. Wether weighing babies or measuring body fat, scales allow doctors to evaluate their patients, prescribe accurate doses of medication and assess the health of the people in their care. Investing in reliable scales makes it easier for medical professionals to get accurate readings and for individuals to properly monitor their own health. Here, we take a look at some of the best weight scales available for home, clinical and medical use. The Best General Purpose Weight Scales General purpose weight scales are high-quality devices that are suitable for a broad range of uses. Products like the Seca 813 Electronic Flat Scales are incredibly precise, measuring weights of up to 150kg in increments of just 100g. Ideal for use in hotels, nutritional clinics, homes and other settings, these scales give reliable results every time. The Best Weight Scales for Body Fat If a patient has a high percentage of body fat, it can negatively impact their halth and cause or aggravate a range of serious conditions. Accurately measuring body fat allows doctors to assess the health of their patients and create a workable and effective treatment plan. The Seca 804 Flat Scale, Electronic, 150kg, with chromed electrodes is designed to allow medical professionals to quickly and accurately measure their patients’ body fat. The scales not only determine a person’s weight, they also measure body fat (BF) and water (BW) content. This gives medical professionals a more complete picture of their patient’s health and overall condition. The Best Bathroom Scales with Body Fat Indicators Another good option is this digital glass scale from Cumper & Robbins. Very affordable, it’s ideal for home use. This allows patients to monitor their weight and overall health when not at a clinic. As well as providing accurate weight measurements, the scale can be used to give advanced body composition data including fat, water and muscle measurements. The Best Analogue Weight Scales Analogue scales are a reliable alternative to digital devices. The Seca 750 Flat Scale is accurate, easy to use and extremely durable. These scales are suitable for both domestic and professional use and have a capacity of up to 150kg. The Best Weight Scales for Babies and Infants Weight is an incredibly important indicator of a baby’s health. Steady weight gain shows the infant is developing normally and getting the nutrition they need. The best way to get an accurate measurement of a baby’s weight is to use specialist infant weighing scales. The Seca 354 Baby Scale is a good option for professional use. The device has a capacity of 20kg and a number of specialist functions. These include a breast milk setting that allows the medical professional to assess how much milk the baby has ingested after a feed, something that can be essential when it comes to maintaining nutrition. The Seca 354 Baby Scale has a detachable tray. When the tray is removed, the device can be used as a robust flat scale for children weighing up to 20kg. The Baby Scale MS-21NEO is specially designed for use with neonatal patients and very young babies. For children up to 6kg, the device is readable in 2g increments, allowing caregivers to get an exceptionally accurate measurement. The scale is designed for hospitals, clinics, surgeries and home use. The Best Multipurpose Scales Multipurpose scales are ideal for doctors’ surgeries and clinics that see a lot of patients with different needs. The Seca 869 Flat Scale is perfect for settings that require a versatile and reliable scale. The device has a capacity of up to 250kg and is accurate to within 100g. The Seca 869 offers a number of additional weighing functions including BMI. It also has a TARE function for weighing small children held in an adult’s arms. The display is connected to the scale via a 2.5m cable. This allows medical professionals to place the display on a wall, table or another convenient position. What are the Best Weight Scales to Buy for Mobile Use? A lot of the time, nutritionists, doctors, nurses and other professionals need to get accurate weight readings when visiting patients in their own homes. Having a reliable scale that can be easily transported between locations allows these professionals to properly assess the people they’re working with. The Seca 876 Flat Scale is an accurate, high quality scale that’s suitable for mobile use. The scale has a capacity of 250kg and a large number of useful weighing functions. The device itself weighs just 4.2kg, making it very portable and easy to transport between locations. The Best Weight Scales to Buy for Diets and Nutrition Special diets and nutritional plans often require followers to accurately measure out ingredients and portions. This allows patients to closely monitor exactly what goes into their bodies. The My Weigh VOX3000 Talking Kitchen Scale is highly accurate and is designed to allow users to weigh a range of ingredients up to 3kg. The device has a voice function that reads out measurements, making it ideal for people with sight loss. Another good option is this 5kg Diet/Nutritional Glass Top Scale. As well as accurately weighing out ingredients and portion sizes, the scales are programmed with the nutritional data of over 500 food items. This allows users to quickly and easily assess their calorie intake. What is the Best Weight Scale Brand? All of the weight scales available through Medshop are manufactured by brands known for the quality of their products. A lot of our weighing scales are made by Seca. The German company has been manufacturing precision engineered medical equipment since 1840, making it one of the most established names in the business. Charder Medical also makes a number of the weight scales available on Medshop. Based in Taiwan, Charder was founded in 1980 and also has an excellent reputation for manufacturing high-quality products. Other good weight scale brands include MyWeigh, Lanter and Jennings. Learn more about our collection of weight scales, and find the right scales for your needs, by exploring the Medshop Australia store today.
December 18, 2020
Medshop Editor
What is a Spirometer? Your Guide to Spirometry
Lung function is an important measure of a patient’s health. If the lungs are working well, a person should be able to breathe deeply, inhale plenty of oxygen and carry out daily tasks without a problem. If the lungs are damaged or suffering from disease, something as simple as breathing can be a challenge. Accurately measuring and monitoring lung function and airflow allows doctors to diagnose a range of illnesses and conditions and assess patients suffering from lung disease. One of the best ways of checking lung capacity and lung function is a spirometry test. Used by doctors in clinics, hospitals and surgeries around the world, this simple but effective test can be an important indicator of how efficiently the lungs are working. If you’re currently experiencing shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, your doctor may well use a spirometer to assess your condition. Learning all about what a spirometer is and what it is used for will help you prepare for the test and fully understand your spirometry results. What is a Spirometer? A spirometer is a small machine that is attached to a mouthpiece. Some spirometers have digital displays and are able to print the results of pulmonary function tests. Other spirometers are able to connect wirelessly to computers in order to provide doctors and nurses with a more user-friendly experience. Spirometers are used extensively in doctor’s surgeries, clinics and hospitals. A spirometry test is a quick outpatient procedure that’s commonly used to determine lung function and capacity. Spirometers allow the results of these tests to be known almost immediately, giving doctors a very useful tool for monitoring and diagnosing their patients with issues such as bronchitis and emphysema among many others. What Does a Spirometer Look Like? As different manufacturers use different designs, spirometers can vary significantly in their appearance. However, most devices are relatively small and all come with inhalers to allow the patient to take a deep breath into the machine. Some spirometers have built-in digital screens and others are designed to be paired with computers or monitors. A lot of high-quality contemporary spirometers have Bluetooth connectivity. This allows them to connect to mobile phones, printers and computers and helps to boost usability. What Does a Spirometer Measure? A spirometer is designed to measure two main things: The amount of air you can breathe out in one second The total volume of air you can exhale in one forced breath Doctors compare the measurements taken from a patient with other healthy people of a similar age, height and sex. If their results differ significantly from standard readings it could be an indication that something is wrong. Comparing the results of a patient’s spirometry test with other readings allows doctors to see if a lung problem is ‘obstructive’, ‘restrictive’ or both. Obstructive diseases affect a patient’s ability to breathe by narrowing their airways. However, the capacity of the lungs themselves is generally unaffected. Restrictive lung disease limits the amount of air a patient is able to hold in their lungs. This is generally because the lungs are unable to fully expand. What is a Spirometer Used to Diagnose? Spirometers are used to diagnose and assess a number of conditions and diseases. Some of the most common are: Asthma – an obstructive lung disease in which the airways become periodically swollen and narrowed. Asthma is normally a long-term condition. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease(COPD) – a group of lung conditions that narrow the airway and make it difficult to breathe. Cystic fibrosis– a degenerative condition in which the lungs and digestive system become clogged with thick, sticky mucus. Cystic fibrosisis genetic. Pulmonary fibrosis– scarring of the lungs caused by pollutants, medications and interstitial lung disease. Doctors use spirometers to diagnose these conditions and to monitor their progression. This is often very important as a lot of lung diseases are degenerative and so become worse over time. How Does A Spirometer Work and What is a Spirometry Test? As we’ve already seen, spirometers work by measuring both the amount of air you can breathe out in one second and the total volume a patient can exhale in one forced breath. Spirometers are used to carry out pulmonary function testing. During a test, you’ll be asked to sit down and a soft clip will be placed on your nose to ensure air doesn’t escape during the test. The nurse or doctor carrying out the spirometry test will tell you exactly what you need to do and may ask you to practice exhaling before they begin. When breathing into the spirometer, make sure you inhale deeply so your lungs are at their full capacity. You’ll then need to close your lips tightly around the mouthpiece before exhaling as quickly and as forcefully as you can. Make sure you expel all of the air from your lungs before you remove your mouth from the spirometer. You’ll normally need to repeat the test around three times in order to get accurate readings from your exhalations. In some cases, you’ll be given bronchodilator medication after the initial test and then asked to repeat the process after around 15 minutes. This allows doctors to assess whether or not your lungs respond to the medicine. What is a Normal Spirometer Reading? Your spirometry test will produce two main results. These are measured in terms of FVC ratio (forced vital capacity) and FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in one second). Doctors will also look at the FEV1/FVC ratio. FVC measures the total amount of air that you’re able to expel in one full breath. This is measured in litres. Healthy males aged 20-60 should be able to exhale 4.75 to 5.5 litres Healthy females aged 20-60 should be able to exhale 3.25 to 3.75 litres. FEV1 measures the amount of air you can forcefully expel in one second. Healthy males aged 20-60 should have an FEV1value of 4.5 to 3.5 litres Healthy females aged 20-60 should have an FEV1value of 3.25 to 2.5 litres The FVC/FEV1 ratio is calculated by dividing the measured FEV1 value by the measured FVC value. The ratio is expressed in terms of percentages. Healthy adults of the same age, height and gender should have a FVC/FEV1 predicted value of between 70% and 85%. A percentage of less than 70% is considered abnormal and could be a sign of obstructive lung disease. Types of Spirometers There are three main types of spirometers: standard spirometers, incentive spirometers and wet spirometers. Standard spirometers are used to check lung function and assess a patient’s condition. They’re commonly found in doctor’s surgeries and clinics and are used for diagnostic and monitoring purposes. What is an Incentive Spirometer and What is it Used For? Incentive spirometers are generally used to help a patient recover following surgery or illness. When a patient uses an incentive spirometer, they’ll be asked to close their lips tightly around the mouthpiece before breathing in for as long as possible. As they inhale, they’ll see the piston in the device begin to rise. They should aim to get this piston as high as possible during these rehabilitative lung function tests. When the patient can no longer breathe in, they should remove the mouthpiece, hold their breath for 3-10 seconds and then exhale normally. Repeating these exercises on a regular basis can help to improve lung function, breathing problems, and prevent a range of complications such as pneumonia. Incentive spirometers are handheld devices that can be used by the patient at home or in a hospital ward. How Do You Use a Spirometer for Breathing Exercises? In order to improve your lung function, you’ll need to repeat the process of inhaling, holding your breath and exhaling a number of times. Coughing in between breaths will help to dislodge any mucus that’s built up in your airway and further aid recovery. If you feel dizzy or lightheaded when carrying out breathing exercises on an incentive spirometer, take a break for a few minutes before trying again. What is a Good Incentive Spirometer Reading? As incentive spirometers are generally used by patients recovering from illness or surgery, readings can vary widely. If your doctor has asked you to use an incentive spirometer to help your lung function, they should begin by talking to you about the test results to aim for and how they’d like your readings to improve over time. What is a Wet Spirometer? A wet spirometer works on broadly the same principle as a standard spirometer. However, this type of device measures lung volume by looking at the displacement of a closed chamber that’s partially submerged in water. Air blown into the inverted chamber causes it to rise and move an indicator along a scale. As wet spirometers are less compact and less portable than standard dry spirometers, they’re less commonly used in professional healthcare settings. How Much Does a Spirometer Cost? The cost of a spirometer can vary significantly depending on the brand and the functionality of the device. In general, good quality spirometers cost between $1,800-$2,800. If you’d like to find out more about spirometry or explore our excellent range of professional spirometers, take a look around the Medshop Australia store or get in touch with a member of our team today.
November 29, 2020
Steven Cumper
What Does N95 Mean? How and When to Wear an N95 Mask
Over the past few months, it’s safe to say that we’ve all become more aware of the importance of PPE, and the increase in mask wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the most essential elements of personal protective equipment, has allowed us to appreciate their efficacy like at no other time. Masks help to prevent virus droplets entering the respiratory system and stop an infected person from exposing others to risk, something which has proven critical in the fight against the coronavirus. However, today, people are wearing different types of masks in different environments, and from your standard cotton face covering to the iconic surgical mask, each offers different levels of respiratory protection and filtration efficiency. One of the most widely recognised standards used in medical settings is N95, and many healthcare workers will already be familiar with this type of disposable respirator. These types of masks are used in hospitals, clinics and doctors surgeries but they are also becoming increasingly common outside of these settings as members of the public strive to stop the spread of the virus and protect themselves from airborne contaminants. For those unaware of the difference between a surgical N95 respirator and say, a less protective surgical mask or cotton face covering, here we look at exactly what these highly effective masks entail. Additionally, if you’re currently looking to restock your supplies of PPE, investing in good quality masks is essential, and here we take a closer look at how to wear them and how they can protect you and your patients from infection. What is a N95 Particulate Respirator? A N95 particulate respirator is a face mask that’s designed to filter out particulates as low as 0.3 microns. This type of facemask was originally developed for use in the mining and construction industries, specifically manufactured to protect the wearer from breathing in potentially dangerous particles in the atmosphere. N95 respirators have also been shown to be effective as protection against engineered nanoparticles and other aerosols. Standard N95 respirators will protect the wearer from a range of particles including dust, paint droplets and airborne pollution. They won’t protect against gasses or vapours and they are only effective in the absence of oil particles such as lubricants, cutting fluids and glycerine. If you want to protect yourself from virus droplets and infection, you need to look for a surgical N95 mask. These types of masks are designed to offer a tighter fit around the nose and mouth. This helps to prevent virus droplets being either inhaled or spread by the wearer. Using a N95 respirator mask correctly can significantly reduce the risk of infection and prevent the transmission of a virus. N95 masks that are used in medical settings are not reusable and should be disposed of after each use. However, N95 respirators that are used for industrial purposes can be cleaned and re-worn multiple times. There are some people who may not be able to wear N95 masks. This is because respirators can make breathing more difficult. If you have one of the following conditions, you should talk to your doctor before wearing a face covering. · Emphysema · Pulmonary fibrosis · Claustrophobia · Panic attacks · Heart disease · Anxiety · Autism What is a N95 Approved Mask? When a mask has a N95 rating it shows that it meets the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) N95 classification for air filtration. This standard states that a respirator needs to filter at least 95% of airborne particles. The standard does not require the mask to be resistant to oil. If a mask is N95 approved, it will prevent you from breathing in 95% of the particulates in the air around you. It won’t stop you from breathing oxygen. Only masks that meet this standard can be labelled as N95. These types of masks are also known as N95 filtering face piece respirators, and they are used by professionals in a number of industries including healthcare, construction and mining. How Long Can You Wear a N95 Mask? The length of time you can wear a N95 mask for will vary depending on the setting and the people you are coming into contact with. The CDC says that N95 respirator masks can be worn continuously for up to eight hours without a problem. This length of use is appropriate if you’re only working in healthcare settings where one patient or with a single group of patients are all infected with the same pathogen. If you’re moving between hospital wards or between patients with unknown infections, a new mask should be worn for each occasion. Changing masks on a regular basis helps to prevent cross contamination and protect patients and staff from infection. If you’re moving between patients and don’t have an option to dispose of your mask, wearing a clear visor can help to prevent virus droplets and small particles contaminating the respirator. Is a P2 Mask the Same as N95? When looking for PPE supplies, you may well see some face masks with a N95 rating and others with a P2 classification. Both N95 and P2 masks offer a high level of protection with . N95 masks filter at least 95% of particulates from the air while P2 masks filter 94%. The main difference between the standards is the area of classification. While N95 masks are rated by NIOSH, P2 masks are regulated by the European Union. How Does a N95 Mask Protect Against Viruses? A lot of viruses are spread by airborne particles. These particles are released into the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes next to a non-infected person. When the virus droplets are inhaled, the non-infected person can catch the virus and become ill. N95 respirators help to protect against the spread of viruses by through particulate filtering that prevents virus droplets in air entering into the mouth or nose. If an infected person wears a N95 mask, the respirator will prevent virus droplets from spreading when the person coughs, sneezes or exhales. If a non-infected person wears a N95 mask, they will be protected from 95% of the virus droplets in the air and have a much lower risk of becoming infected. How to Wear a N95 Respirator? Wearing your N95 respirator correctly will ensure you benefit from the full protection of the face mask. The respirator needs to cover both your nose and mouth and should form an air-tight seal with your face. If you’re not sure how to wear a N95 mask, ask your employer for guidance. What is a N95 Respirator Fit Test? A N95 Respirator Fit Test is used to ensure people using N95 masks know how to properly use the PPE. During the test, employees will be asked to try on a selection of N95 respirators. The person carrying out the test will check to see if the wearer is able to create an air-tight seal between the mask and their face. This is important as an air-tight seal will prevent contaminated air escaping from the mask and also prevent virus droplets entering the mask. Fit Tests should be carried out when this type of mask is first used and then every year after that. Once an employee has established which type of N95 mask fits them best, they should stick to this style for all future use. What Are N95 Mask Sizes? N95 masks are available in a range of sizes. This helps to ensure masks fit the wearer precisely. The way masks are sized varies depending on the manufacturer, and in most cases, you’ll be able to choose from small, small/medium, medium and medium/large sizes. If you work for a company or organisation that requires you to wear a N95 mask, they should provide you with a choice of sizes for your fit test. This will give you the opportunity to try on a few different sizes and find the mask that best fits your face shape. What is a N95 HEPA Mask? HEPA stands for high efficiency particulate air filter. HEPA filters are incredibly effective, removing between 99.95% and 99.999% of particulates from the air while also protecting the wearer from allergens, bacteria, mould, pollution and viruses. N95 respirators aren’t fitted with HEPA filters and only remove 95% of particulates from the air. In most medical settings, a N95 mask will offer sufficient protection. If you need more protection than a N95 mask provides, look for a HEPA air-purifying respirator or N100 respirator instead. What is a N95 Particulate Respirator Made Of? Most N95 particulate respirator masks are made from synthetic plastic fibres. These fibres are woven into a fine mesh and are able to catch at least 95% of particulates that pass through them. Polypropylene is one of the most common polymers used in the production of N95 masks. Where Can You Buy a N95 Mask in Australia? As N95 masks are an important part of PPE, they should always be purchased from a reliable supplier. This is true whether you’re working in construction, mining or healthcare. If you plan to buy a mask from a local hardware shop or another non-specialist retailer, make sure the mask is rated N95 and not KN95. The KN rating shows the product is made in China. And although these masks are supposed to meet the same standards as N95 respirators, NIOSH has found that, in many cases, KN95 masks fall well below standard. A good quality N95 mask will probably cost between $40 and $80. Discounts are often available for bulk orders, so if you’re purchasing on behalf of a clinic, hospital or group, make sure you take a look at the offers available before you buy. For the best choice of single-use N95 masks and the most competitive prices, take a look at the Medshop Australia collection today.
October 14, 2020
Steven Cumper
How to Find Your Nearest AED in Australia
An automated external defibrillator, or AED, is an essential piece of life-saving equipment. Used to restore normal rhythm to the heart when a person is in cardiac arrest, an AED can have a big impact on a patient’s chances of survival. In order to help more people survive a cardiac arrest, and give members of the public access to this life-saving tool, AEDs have been installed in a number of locations across Australia. From hospitals and schools to gyms and shopping centres, these publicly available AEDs can help provide fast, effective treatment to a person suffering a cardiac arrest. October 16th is Restart-a-Heart Day in Australia and New Zealand. To mark this important occasion, and to help raise awareness of the importance of AEDs, we’re taking a closer look at these important life-saving tools. What is an AED? AED is used to shock the heart back into a normal rhythm when a person is suffering a cardiac arrest. Unlike heart attacks, which are caused by a blockage in an artery to the heart, a cardiac arrest happens when the heart’s electrical system malfunctions. This malfunction results in abnormal heart rhythms, called arrhythmias, that make it very difficult for the heart to pump blood. The probability of survival decreases by 7% to 10% for every minute that a patient stays in a life-threatening arrhythmia. Quick, effective treatment is the best way to ensure a patient survives a cardiac arrest and isn’t left with long-term injuries. AEDs allow members of the public, or nearby medical staff, to administer life saving treatment before an ambulance arrives. These computerised defibrillators automatically analyse heart rhythms and administer a shock if an abnormal rhythm is detected. As the process is automated, the person using the defibrillator doesn’t need any medical training in order to provide assistance. This can save vital minutes in a medical emergency and help more people to survive a cardiac arrest. Where to find an AED in public places? In order to help members of the public, or medical personal, provide quick treatment to people suffering a cardiac arrest, AEDs are located in public and private buildings across the country. While many AEDs are registered, a lot aren’t. So knowing how to find AED equipment is essential. You’ll commonly find AEDs in large buildings and public locations such as: Hospitals – commonly found on hospital wards and in outpatient areas Community centres – often located in the foyer or reception area Schools – in the staff room or school office Office blocks – in the reception area or foyer Sports clubs – in the reception area or office Gyms – commonly kept close to exercise equipment like treadmills Shopping centres – in central locations like information desks Public libraries – in the reception area If you see someone having a cardiac arrest and are near one of these locations, they should be your first port of call when looking for an AED. When looking for an AED, keep your eyes peeled for an AED wall sign identifying its location. These signs should be installed next to every device to make them easier to find. How to find my nearest AED? There are a number of ways to find your nearest AED in Australia. One option is to head off on foot to one of the locations listed above. This can often be the quickest way of finding an AED. However, as not all offices, schools, sports clubs and gyms will have an AED, there are no guarantees your search will be successful. What’s more, as access to many of these locations will only be possible during opening hours, you’ll have to double check your watch when looking for an AED. The easiest way to find your nearest AED in Australia is to use the AED Locator app. Using the app to find AED machines close to you could save crucial minutes in an emergency. The AED Locator app has been specifically designed to help members of the public locate an AED fast. It uses the GPS on your phone to find your location and match you with the nearest AED. The app features an interactive map that will help you find the AED as quickly as possible. As well as helping you locate your nearest AED, the app allows you to report missing AEDs. This is incredibly important as a missing AED could put someone’s life at risk. You can download the AED Locator app here. Alternatively, you can find your nearest AED by checking the St John’s Ambulance website. This lets you view locations of nearby AEDs and also register an AED if you have one on your property. Click here to visit the St John’s ambulance site. Restart-a-Heart Day On October 16th, Australia and New Zealand will celebrate Restart a Heart Day. Taking place at the same time as Shocktober, an AED awareness campaign by Ambulance Victoria, the day will be used to promote information about cardiac arrests and teach people what to do if they see someone in distress. Every year, around 34,000 Australians and New Zealanders suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. After 10 minutes without intervention, the damage caused by cardiac arrest is nearly irreversible. If you know how to find an AED and what to do when someone has a cardiac arrest, you could significantly boost their chances of survival. To mark Restart-a-Heart Day, we’ll be offering 5% off of AEDs for the remainder of October. Use code: RESTARTHEART5 at the checkout. Find out more, and learn about the AEDs and other life saving products we offer, by exploring the Medshop site today. Author: Steven John Cumper, B.App.SC. (Osteo.), M.Ost., is a businessman with a strong foundation in biomedical science and osteopathic medicine, who founded and led Medshop to international success, culminating in its acquisition by the Bunzl Group in September 2021, where he continues to serve as Managing Director (Medshop Group).
June 17, 2020
Medshop Editor
7 Reasons Oxypas Shoes are the Best
For healthcare professionals everywhere, a comfortable pair of shoes is what gets you through the day. When they work, you should barely notice them at all, however, when they don't, they can cause serious discomfort and real pain. Today, there are many types of nursing clogs on the market, from the more traditional styles worn by nurses since World War Two, to injection moulded safety shoes made for the demands of the modern operating room as well as the ward. The latter is the sort we sell most of at Medshop Australia, and injection moulded shoes by Oxypas are some of our favourites. Unlike traditional shoes, Oxypas produces most parts of their shoes in a one-shot by injecting foam into a mould. This means they With injection moulded shoes, there are fewer soles to pull apart from the shoe, fewer seams to split, and additional components, meaning less extra weight. We’ll get into all the benefits of these shoes in a second, but if you think you’re new to injection moulded shoes, you’re probably not. They’ve become something of a sensation in the world outside the medical profession. Many shoe companies employ elements of injection moulding, such that it's become an industry standard. One brand, in particular — I won't mention their name — has enjoyed a long successful campaign via mall kiosks and department store sales. Rest assured, the shoes we carry aren’t the mall variety. Those brands haven’t been around as long as Oxypas, which started making awesome shoes for medical professionals in 1991. If that doesn’t sound that long ago, consider that Bob Hawke was still the Prime Minister, compact discs were the best way to hear music, and the internet was but a wee babe in Australia. Needless to say, Oxypas has been around for a little while. That’s why they make what we consider the best shoes for nurses and other medical professionals, hands(feet) down. But what makes Oxypas shoes so special? Here we take a look at seven reasons Oxypas shoes are among the most convenient and comfortable nursing shoes around. Read on for everything you need to know about this top professional footwear brand. 7) Oxypas Shoes Won’t Stink Let’s face it, shoes can build up a life of their own. They can stink, especially after a double shift of rounds. What's worse, cleaning medical shoes is a hassle. Over time, shoes spun in a dryer start to fall apart. Also, the smell never fully goes away. Fully washable nursing shoes are a necessity. Oxypas shoes not only come with ventilation holes big enough to stick your finger through, but the material of the shoes is also fully washable, with their Oxyclog range is also autoclavable for the ultimate in sterile shoes. In a matter of minutes, you can clean and dry them, without a care in the world. They’re also lined with an antibacterial liner so they’ll resist holding any rogue odours that try to cling to your shoes. Look no further than the Ultralite Classic Olivia White for antibacterial linings in a classic, unisex nursing shoe. 6) Oxypas Shoes Give Grip Nurses and other medical professionals need the ability to move like athletes when necessary. A working nurse will put down an average of ten kilometres by the end of a workday. Slips and falls are the most common form of injury at work. Nurses need the ability to move swiftly, turning 180 degrees without worry that they will slip as they turn. Anti-slip sole then, are highly important! The non-slip outsole of Oxypas shoes manages this probability within a hair’s distance of zero. In fact, the European standard for slip resistance tested and passed Oxypas for the toughest rating, on ceramic tile wetted with dilute soap solution, and on smooth steel with glycerol. An ideal take on a classic look is the Betty White model, designed with exceptional grip in almost any situation. Additionally, much of the Oxypas shoe range comes with their patented Oxygrip technology for the slipperiest of situations. 5) Oxypas Shoes are Not Shocking Everyone knows the dreaded shock of a carpet and a poor pair of shoes. Static can shock you, and worse, you can shock your patients. Anti-static shoes are also very important for nurses. The shoes from Oxypas have an anti-static feature, which keeps you from building up a current as you earn your living. The Conformité Européenne (CE) rated Oxypas shoes as compliant with the CE 20345 S2 standard, which means they’re breathable, built with a quality lining, free of toxic substances, and that they have a safety toe cap (resistance 200 Joules). In short, you'll not have to think about static electricity. 4) Oxypas Shoes are in it for the Long Shift Speaking of shocking, Oxypas shoes remove more than one sort of shock. In fact, their shock-absorbing design means that there's almost no shock when walking around, even after a double shift. The Bodylight shoes from Oxypas — available in more than white — are the ultimate in cloud walking shoes. ultra-light and supremely comfortable, Oxypas designed them to help tone your leg muscles as you walk. Who knew walking on clouds could help get you in shape while you make a living? That’s what they call a win-win-win. Even the thinnest souled Oxypas shoes have excellent shock absorption. No more “I can’t wait to get home and take off these shoes.” 3) Oxypas Shoes Won’t Get You into Trouble The last thing you want to worry about at work is whether or not your shoes are creating stress for someone else. Sound crazy? It’s not if you consider that some shoes leave marks on the floor. It may not be an important factor when saving lives, but someone at your workplace gets paid to keep the floors neat and clean. In fact, medical facilities carry the reputation of being the cleanest floors anywhere. That means someone else gets paid to make sure those floors aren’t that much harder to keep clean, namely, your supervisor. That person won’t promote you for wearing shoes that won’t mark up the floor, but they also won’t have to ask you to purchase new shoes. Shoes from Oxypas fit into your fly-below-the-radar plan 2) Oxypas Shoes are Shaped Like a Human Foot It sounds counterintuitive, but most shoes on the market are not shaped like a human foot. We’re not talking about the fingered variety that looks too much like a human foot. We’re talking about the normal bed of the human foot when it strikes the ground. Your phalanges, the little foot bones, need room to spread out. Many shoes not only lack the width to allow your foot to properly flex, but they also look like someone with a background in torture designed them. The largest part of the toe box (front of the shoe) often doesn’t line up with normal toes, as if the big toe should be in the middle of the foot, not to one side. Oxypas shoes have a more anatomically shaped footbed and insole to make wearing them easier. 1) Oxypas Shoes are So Comfortable You'll Forget Your Wearing Them Speaking of moving like an athlete, don’t feel funny if you consider wearing your work shoes for running laps around the neighbourhood or for your next marathon. Because Oxypas shoes are made by injection moulding, there’ not a bunch of glue and stitching weighing them down. Most pairs weigh less than 200 grams, putting them in league with most high performance running sneakers. A pair of shoes from Oxypas might look funny crossing the finish line, but what do you care if your feet feel like a million bucks? Seriously, these things are light. The Eva model, a simple non-toxic clog, complete with a heel strap, is the best no-nonsense example of Oxypas’ build standard. There are more reasons to love Oxypas, but if you’ve read this far, we’re not talking to you. If you don’t already own a pair of Oxypas shoes, you’re in the market for a pair now. What’s it going to be? The Eva model? The Betty White? The Olivia White? Maybe you get one of each style so you can vary your shoes as you prefer? Rest assured that once you wear a pair of these shoes you won’t want to wear anything else. You will officially have been spoiled, and you totally deserve it.
June 15, 2020
Medshop Editor
Why Nurses Tell Time Upside Down – History of The Nurses Fob Watch
Everything about being a nurse centres on organisation. Quality patient care revolves around a carefully planned and executed schedule, thus keeping track of the time is the pulse of the nursing profession. It’s not only a matter of knowing the hour, but nurses also need to time certain and ensure that In modern times, smart devices, have in some ways eliminated the need for the traditional timepieces, however, the history of the nurses fob watch means that there's always a place for one as part of any nurses uniform. But where did the nurses fob watch begin its journey to healthcare necessity, and who's still using them today? Here, we take a look at the history of the nurse fob watch and why they're still as popular today as they were when they first became part of the uniform. It all started in 15th century Europe... History of the Fob Watch – The First Watches Credit goes, by most accounts, to Peter Henlein, a German craftsman, but (as is often the case) there were others working on the same idea at that time. Humanity had enjoyed some form of time management since the Greek sundial, earlier if one counts the casual sun observer as a "time manager." Transitioning the awareness of time from watching the sun’s position in the sky to a body-worn timepiece was a matter of thousands of years of evolution, and the overnight invention by Henlein. What he did was invent the mainspring—a serial torsion spring of steel ribbon, which stored energy, released by turning the cogs of a timepiece until the stored energy demanded the user rewind the timepiece. The first portable versions were not wrist worn, but pendants, not much different from a conventional nurse watch. Watches would retain this basic engineering until the 20th century, and many antique pocket watches such as these are in high demand today. Transition to Nursing It is not known exactly when nurses began to don the fob watch as part of their uniform. The first portable watches were a toy for the wealthy, as high-quality, hand built watch movements were very expensive. The difference in the watch worn by nurses, and those worn by fashionable dandies back in the day, was that the nurse's fob needed to be accessible without hands. This is where the history of the nurses fob watch comes to life. As a matter of practicality, not so much sterilisation, nurses couldn't fumble a watch. Not only would reaching into a pocket for a watch soil the watch face, it would take time and a free hand. Nurses' hands would likely have fluids on them, and the open-face pocket watches and white dials simply weren't up to the task. They needed a simple solution. Some clever nurse discovered that the common pocket watch, when pinned upside down to the lapel of a tunic, made for a perfect hands-free reading device whenever needed. Watchmakers soon caught on, and the evolution of the nurses fob watch continued apace. Rites of Passage Again, it's difficult to say when, but at some point, fob watches turned into the perfect gift for nurses, and a stainless steel brooch watch became a rite of passage for many aspiring nurses. Like the prestige of gifted writing instrument to the graduating law school student, the fob watch moved from functional accessory to a symbol of accomplishment. Quality counts too—or at least it used to. The same way a quality pen can lend an upwardly mobile office professional more confidence, a classic Swiss timepiece serves the same purpose. Reliable fobs have fuelled not only the careers but the confidences of ambitious nursing school grads for centuries. The New History of the Nurses Fob Watch Advancements have moved the nurse's fob watch far from Henlein’s first pocket watch. The manufacturing of consistent reliable parts is no longer an art but a matter of production. Inexpensive fob watches are easily replaced, even on a tight budget. That said, like the pen before it, there is a vein of tradition running through the fob watch that stitches together the years like a tapestry. Nurses and other medical professionals who appreciate history wear traditionally fashioned fobs as a nod to those who paved the pathway before them. However, advancements in digital technologies are slowly taking the place of the historical nurses fob watch. Today, you are just as likely to see a nurse wear and smartwatch on their wrist, and smartfobs are also beginning to make their way to market—giving nurses a huge range of tools at their fingertips. The history of the nurses fob watch then, is about to enter a new chapter. Now, nurses can monitor their own health as they work as well as their patients. They can take messages and calls directly from their watch, while also ensuring they stay on schedule with push-notifications and other calendar features. Additionally, nurses fob watches can provide important information and resources at the tap of a button or touchscreen. The future of the nurses fob watch, looks very bright indeed. Regional Variances While, Australian and British nurses tend to keep the tradition of the fob, nurses in other parts of the world do not. They may not even know what constitutes a fob watch. In the United States, for example, the tradition of the fob watch is hardly observed. However, it wasn’t always that way. The U.S. Navy Nurse Corps General Uniform Instructions from 1917 read: "No ornaments or jewellery other than a plain watch fob to be worn while on duty. Plain wrist watches are permitted to be worn except when centre-indicated by professional duties." Nurses in the States may own a fob, mostly likely gifted at graduation, but they won’t likely wear it as part of their uniform. There are, of course, exceptions to this. The good news for new nurses and their families is that in this modern world, even quality doesn’t have to cost a fortune. One can purchase a lovely, classically-styled nurses fob, without draining your bank account. Alternatively, there are plenty of no-nonsense silicone fob watches which do the job well with a little colourful fun to boot. Whereas a nurse from the sixteenth century might be fortunate to own one carefully guarded timepiece, today’s nurses may have one to go with every pair of scrubs. One thing hasn’t changed. The job still rides on the shoulders of a meticulously organised person.
June 08, 2020
Medshop Editor
The Best Stethoscope? 3M Littmann vs Welch Allyn
When it comes to making an investment like purchasing a stethoscope making the right choice is mission-critical. Read on to discover how to choose between two top brands — Welch Allyn vs Littmann
May 31, 2020
Medshop Editor
The History of the Hypodermic Needle — Evolution with a Point!
The history of the hypodermic needle involves goose quills, animal bladders and little friendly rivalry. Read on to discover the surprising journey of a healthcare staple.
April 20, 2020
Medshop Editor
Hand Hygiene Australia — The Medshop Guide to Washing Hands Correctly
Australia’s experience of the novel coronavirus has been, to date, less severe than the in US and many European countries. However, as states continue with lockdown measures and the government discusses the possibility of a mandatory app to trace citizens’ contact with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 carriers, it is clear that the threat is far from over. The calls to remain at home or self-isolate, to wear masks and follow stricter hygiene protocols, and to minimise contact with others wherever possible, are now recognised as entirely necessary. The efficacy of these measures abroad is reflected in the flattening of the curve, and as long as everyone recognises these responsibilities, it is hoped that catastrophe can be avoided. So, in order to reaffirm sanitary protocols and remind everyone part of mitigating the spread of the virus is simple as maintaining hand hygiene, here we detail the correct hand washing procedure to keep it fresh in your mind. When to Wash Your Hands Washing your hands should now be routine, and whenever you have returned home after being outside, or after you blow your nose, cough, or sneeze you should wash your hands thoroughly. However, there are plenty of other occasions when you should go through the process, and maintaining good habits now will protect you when lockdown measures are eased. Washing your hands often is important during the crisis, and during these key moments you should take extra care, both before and after: Preparing food Eating and drinking Using the toilet Touching garbage Handling pets Changing nappies or cleaning children Caring for the sick Treating a wound Additionally, with the rise of home deliveries of essential items and food, it is important to wash your hands after receiving packages, bags of food, or other items. Finally, any trip to the pharmacy or handling of pharmaceutical goods should always be preceded and followed by a thorough hand washing. Hand Washing Steps The correct hand washing procedure is simple and only takes a few minutes at most, however, there are a few crucial points that should be adhered to: Remove All Jewellery and Other Items Jewellery such as rings or bracelets make it more difficult to wash your hands thoroughly. Additionally, plasters or bandages should be removed wherever possible as these can be home to pathogens. Once you have completed washing your hands, fresh ones can be applied. Wet Hands and Apply Soap Using warm to hot water, wet your hands thoroughly and apply standard soap or liquid soap. Warm water is generally better as this helps to kill pathogens and allows the soap to work more effectively, however, when used with soap, cold water is also effective. Lather and ScrubLather the soap and scrub your hands for AT LEAST 20 SECONDS. Rub them together, lather the backs of your hands and also between your fingers. Ensure you spread the soap around and under your nails.Rinse Your HandsRinse your hands under warm water where possible and remove all of the soap. Continue rubbing your hands together as you do this. Dry Your HandsWhere possible, dry your hands with an air dryer. Alternatively, a clean towel or paper towel should be used. Dirty towels can help to spread pathogens. Other Points to Think About Following these simple handwashing procedures will help to minimise the threat of transmission of the virus between you, your family, and anyone else you may come into contact with. However, while out of the house, it is important to maintain hygiene standards even when handwashing facilities are difficult to access. In these instances, hand sanitiser or another alcohol-based hand cleaning product should be used to help mitigate infections. While not as effective as handwashing procedures, they can be extremely useful when out and about.
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