May 17
ACCU-CHEK® Aviva System Blood Glucose Monitoring System

ACCU-CHEK® Aviva System Blood Glucose Monitoring System

After years of discussions on the accuracy of blood glucose levels and how accurate they really need to be. It is going in the direction of  a mandate that would vary based on use in hospital, lab, or OTC. It appears that a two layer level of jurisdiction and distinction will be made by the FDA.  There will be the Home use lay user, and the tight glycemic control designations. The consensus appears to be going to plus or minus 15%. That is compared to today’s limits of plus or minus 20% in the 8 year old ISO standard in use today.

Moving forward it is known that there is a need out there for good point of care accuracy, and it

OneTouch® UltraMini™ System

OneTouch® UltraMini™ System

can be said that even the same meters can produce better accuracy in that environment as compared to the OTC use

Recent challenges and recalls by famous Manufacturers were made because the methods used in the meters, were not measuring the right type of glucose. Most lay people do know that their diets consist of different types of sugars that play no role in diabetes.

This error in measuring the wrong type of sugars, could cause over or under compensation with insulin in diabetic patients as well as varying results based on testing at home compared to values obtained at a commercial lab or hospital. Continue reading »

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May 04
RepliCare® Hydrocolloid Dressing

RepliCare® Hydrocolloid Dressing

Hydrocolloid Dressings are substances that convert into a gel when in contact with wound fluid. The moist environment created under the dressing speeds the natural healing process, reduces pain, and protects against bacterial infection. These dressings have been clinically shown to facilitate the removal of dead tissue and debris through the process of autolytic debridement. They also reduce the risk of wound infection by providing an effective barrier to external contamination by microorganisms.

3M™ Tegaderm™ Hydrocolloid Dressing

3M™ Tegaderm™ Hydrocolloid Dressing

Part of the healing process is patient comfort. These dressing’s have been clinically shown to reduce pain during dressing removal and application. Hydrocolloidal’s also foster an environment that enables a faster healing process when compared to regular gauze.

These dressings reduce friction on the wound by using a unique polyurethane film. Continue reading »

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Apr 26
Invacare® 81 mg Aspirin Enteric Coated

Invacare® 81 mg Aspirin Enteric Coated

There are many over the counter drugs available to the public today.

Motrin, Aspirin, and many know painkiller brands can be found on the shelves of pharmacies. These drugs can be used in a safe an effective manner to relieve aches and pain without a prescription.

Most pharmacies carry a store brand to compete with the brands of Aspirin ,Tylenol and Motrin without the fancy marketing or price. Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, and APAP are the generic names that compete and end up bringing savings to the savvy consumer. Continue reading »

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Apr 18

The average diabetic patient can spend thousands of dollars in a year in testing product supplies alone . The economy, changes in the healthcare system, and reduction in insurance providers reimbursement’s, the hardship of the cost of testing supplies has fallen on the patient.

Discount Home Health Care Companies, are only part of the solution to reducing costs. Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes patients will search the internet or go to a local pharmacy to get the best brand and price for that model. This however: is usually the beginning of a mistake of large economic scale, to their personal finance.

“What is the best brand or model” is the patients question. The large pharmaceutical companies make millions from that question. Selling strips, that cost pennies for $1.00 or more, then giving the patient a “Free Meter”.

Secondary Brands can save a patient enough money in a lifetime to retire on.  Lets compare $57.90- $65.00 in a recent posting on 4 websites for the same Name Brand item. A box of 50 strips that were sold with a “free glucose meter”. That is an average of $1.23 per test. Let us say you found a super discount and got it for $50.00. You are still spending $1.00 per test 3 times a day, 365 days per year or about $1300 per year.

An educated consumer can purchase secondary brands, from a reputable website and purchase strips for $14.00 in a bottle of 50. Continue reading »

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Apr 17

Active Cath External Catheter

Active Cath External Catheter

External catheters are not used to help with a blockage.  Usually they can be found in use for incontinence, or just to collect a sample. They are worn like a condom with an elongated receptacle to hold volume. Sometimes they are connected to a leg bag. External catheters are also known as travel catheters or stadium bags. Used frequently by males to alleviate the need to find an external catheter. Accessory supplies give you methods to stick  the external catheter, as well as provide you with with wipes and holders. This really make catheter maintenance easy. One of these is Skin-Prep Protective Wipes by Smith & Nephew that form a protective film. It  prepares the skin for the attachment of drainage tubes, external catheters, and adhesive dressings.  It can also be used around ostomy sites. The Posey Sheath Holder is a secure way to hold a urinary drainage sheath (external male catheter) in place. They are usually a one size fits all.

Intermittent Catheters are also available from a list of manufacturers Mentor, Cure, Coloplast, Astratech, Hollister, Apogee, Bard, and Rochester Medical are just a few. Intermittent catheterization is a sterile process by which draining urine from the bladder is accomplished when normal draining cannot be accomplished. Intermittent Catheter use can reduce the occurrence of urinary tract infections and kidney damage. Intermittent Catheters, like Foleys and urethral catheters come in many different sizes and lengths to fit your body. Some types of catheters come pre-lubricated for your convenience. Continue reading »

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Apr 04

There are many reasons for incontinence and it is experienced by up to 22% of those 45 years old and increases exponentially after that age. Incontinence often occurs during episodes of raised intra-abdominal pressure like coughing laughing or sneezing. As a result of incontinence they usually experience embarrassment, lower self esteem, increased cleaning of laundry, and a withdrawal from activities that would otherwise keep them healthy.  It is expected that more woman experience this situation, but are less likely to admit it due to the embarrassment. Patients, both men and women usually women avoid seeking medical help due to the misconception that the condition is a normal part of aging or due to embarrassment.

The most common cause of incontinence is a lack of support to the upper urethra and bladder. A second leading cause seen in about 15% of women with urinary stress incontinence is poor urethra function. This is frequently termed Intrinsic sphincter deficiency or ISD. The upper urethra and bladder opening is supported by pelvic floor muscles and connective tissue. If this tissue is firm, there is no leakage. This condition is usually associated with age, surgery, radiation, and hysterectomy.

Many people are fortunate to have control and manage urinating in the toilet. For

Tena Comfort Pants

Tena Comfort Pants

those who cannot always manage that, there are ways to mediate the unpleasantness of the condition. Moderately absorbent diapers, Tena Comfort pants are positioned like underwear, they are light and airy. They produce little sense of presence, and can be worn comfortably throughout the day. One of the attractions is that they are washable and reusable.

One manufacturer has even produced a garment that resembles Mens Boxer Shorts. Dignity Men’s Boxes Shorts are

Dignity Mens Boxer Shorts

Dignity Men's Boxer Shorts

designed to be worn and feel like any boxer short, they use  ThinSerts Liners or Briefmates Guards, a blend of cotton and polyester, as an absorbent pad. They can be machine washed and dried. They are stylish with a plaid design.

HealthDri for Ladies provide a fit like regular underwear. Its unique patented design, pulls moisture away from the body, leaving the skin dry. A moisture barrier keeps the ladies out garments dry. They can be washed over 300 times, and offer the economy of reuse in these challenging times. These are considered Heavy Panties, as an indicator or the high absorbent capability. Continue reading »

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Mar 29
Raised Toilet Seat

Raised Toilet Seat

Many home accidents happen in bathrooms. For individuals with mental or physical disability, it is vital that bathrooms be safe to allow those patients a high level of independence. The Raised Toilet Seat is one of the devices that can be used to assist the handicapped with achieving independent use of the toilet. Many devices have been created to help maintain a patients privacy and dignity.  The adjustable toilet seat frame can assist patients with attaining positioning for unassisted guidance to sitting comfortably without endangering the handicapped patients welfare.

Elevated Toilet seats are designed to assist patients that have difficulty in bending. Some are easy to install, and some need no installation at all. The seat

Elevated Toilet Seat

Elevated Toilet Seat

usually fits right under the existing toilet seat. It is commonly called the Elevator Seat.

A convenient under-grip is incorporated on some designs and will fit elongated and standard bowls. The elevated toilet seat with under-grips is the most popular version used today. An adjustable toilet safety frame can be used in conjunction with the elongated or standard bowl design. It fits around the commode providing the patient with handrails to support their weight while the patient is lowering themselves into the seated position. Continue reading »

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Mar 10

Enteral feeding and nutrition, has become a major advance to feeding patients with temporary or permanent gastrointestinal function and has only be around for about thirty years. To promote understanding it should be known that feeding tubes in the gastrointestinal tract are referred to as enteral feeding, but when nutrition is supplied to the patient venously it is known as parenteral nutrition.

Companies that manufacture nutritional supplements have developed chemically defined diets that provided all the essential nutrients in a predigested form. Protein and carbohydrates are basic building blocks, with amino acids and glucose, and also contain minimal amounts of fat sufficient only to meet basic dietary requirements along with all the essential vitamins and minerals necessary to promote proper nutritional value. Continue reading »

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Feb 08

An ambulatory product can be as simple as a crutch. Patients need ambulatory products for a variety of reasons. Congenital birth defects, accidents,  post surgery recovery, and disease states can require an aid for just getting around.

Quick Change Crutch

Quick Change Crutch

Crutches are the simplest form along with wheel chairs. Within each category there are appliances, optional equipment, and accessories that can be purchased. There are different types of crutches including forearm crutches, wood crutches, aluminum crutches, and numerous types of walkers and canes to assist with patients ability to get from one place to another with a minimum of assistance. Crutch mates include rubber handles to assure a better grip as well as under arm pads to give comfort from weight contact to the crutch itself.  Crutch tips or crutch feet provide comfort, ease and control of wear of both the crutch as well as floors in the home or office.

Modern design and hybrids of walker and wheel chairs called Rollators are now available. This device looks like a walker with wheels. Rollators

Rollator

Rollator

have many accessories and options to include brakes for control and baskets to carry items while shopping, or anything the patient may need during his trip. Bariatric Rollators are available as are Crutches. The brake, often referred to as the Loop Brake, provides the patient with more control of his travel.

Rollators have 4 wheels and are made of aluminum. They come in various sizes and shapes. Economy Rollators as well as the deluxe Rollator are available to accommodate all frequency of use situations. The knee walker is a rollator and is often used in place of a crutch. Invacare makes a variety of these types of devices.

With the needs of children services, pediatrics rollators, pediatric walkers, pediatric crutches, also referred to as jr are available . There are also brands that are light weight like the Rollite. These Walkers and Rollators come in various colors including Blue and Red.

Rollators sometimes can be found wih seats and backrests. Accessories for Rollators can be purchased along with all replacement parts like a 5“ wheel. Continue reading »

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Feb 01

The Internet provides an excellent ability to save on the cost of durable medical goods. The shrinking reimbursements as well as the elimination of a payment component for living or life aids, is putting the financial burden on the insured. Patients are surfing the internet, looking for lower priced goods, that offer assistance to daily life for handicapped people and various other people that need help with every day tasks.

This product category carries a range of products that include everything from Walking Aids to specially formed eating utensils.

Physicians and home healthcare stores were the sole source vendors, prior to the Internet. It is important to know what you are buying. Wheelchairs for instance, Medicare may pay $400-$500 for an Invacare Wheel Chair, when the same make and model can be found for under $300.00 by someone that is a private payer. Since there are laws regarding payment to the government that cover full disclosure by a vendor, and lowest prices charged, a store that takes Medicare, cannot sell the wheelchair or any other goods, lower than it charges the U.S. Government.

Since we know how poorly our Government negotiates prices, you now can assume, when you pay yourself, your going to have to pay those prices. Continue reading »

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