Study: Caregivers Contribute to Spread of MRSA

A new study published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology states that as many as one in four nursing home residents are carriers of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA - and caregivers, the researchers found, might be unwittingly contributing the spread of the infection.

The researchers examined resident-caregiver interactions at a number of facilities and found that transmission is most likely to occur while dressing or transferring residents, providing hygiene such as brushing teeth or combing hair and when changing linens or briefs. The most common mode of transmission is caregivers' contaminated gloves.

The researchers noted that guidance on when to use barrier precautions (such as gowns and gloves) when caring for residents with MRSA is limited.

To learn more, click here.

Research: Tablets Help Residents Feel Confident with Technology

New research has found that using tablet computers can make the elderly feel more confident with technology overall.

Tablets have the benefit of being small, lightweight, portable and easy to use at any age. Their touch screens are also easier to navigate than a traditional computer with a mouse, according to the researcher.

Additional studies have also shown that the use of tablets can help ward off depression when they are used to make it easy to connect residents with loved ones.

To learn more, click here.

Study: Hospice Spouses Less Depressed Following Loved One's Death

A new study of 1,000 surviving spouses of deceased individuals over the age of 50 found that the spouses of individuals who received at least three days of hospice care were less depressed than the spouses of those who did not.

The researchers found that the positive effect was more prominent a year after the spouse's death. While they were not able to pinpoint a specific reason for the decrease in depression, most hospices provide services including spiritual counseling, social services and bereavement counseling in addition to medical services and symptom management.

To learn more, click here.

Spring Into Health with ProHeal Liquid Supplements

Take the bitter taste out of supplements with DermaRite’s new ProHeal line. Each liquid supplement was designed to assist with a specific health concern and your residents will love their fresh, fruity flavors.

ProHeal™ is a medical food developed for the dietary management of wounds as well as other conditions that would benefit from extra protein intake, including hypoalbuminemia, involuntary weight loss, anorexia, protein calorie malnutrition, muscle wasting conditions such as AIDS and cancer, dialysis and bariatric surgery. Flavor: Cherry

ProHeal™ Critical Care is a concentrated blend of hydrolyzed collagen and whey protein for maximum protein content and absorption. It also contains vitamin C and L-Arginine for collagen synthesis and increased blood flow to wound areas as well as zinc and copper, co-factors in connective tissue reproduction. Flavor: Cherry

FiberHeal™ combines the laxative and stool-softening effects of fiber and FOS with all-natural sorbitol, which aids in gentle elimination without diarrhea. As part of a healthy diet, FiberHeal helps maintain regularity, lower cholesterol levels and support blood sugar control. Flavor: Lemon Twist

UTIHeal™ creates an environment that inhibits the growth of infection-causing bacteria while promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the urinary tract. The concentrated cranberry-based formula also contains vitamin C, D-Mannose and Erythritol as well as FOS (Inulin) to promote urinary tract health and infection prevention. Flavor: Cranberry

To learn more about the ProHeal line, contact your ProMed territory manager, please give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com for additional information.

Memorial Day Closure Reminder

Professional Medical will be closed Monday, May 25, 2015 in honor of Memorial Day.

All Monday deliveries will be made on Tuesday, May 26. All Tuesday deliveries will be made on Wednesday, May 27.

Customers who typically order on Monday for Tuesday delivery should place their orders by noon on Friday, May 22.

Please call our Customer Care department at (800) 648-5190 if you have questions or concerns. 

We Have Your Furniture Solutions!

Did you know that we can help you create furnishings that are a perfect fit for your facility? Territory Manager Pam West worked with a customer on these custom chairs. The customer had a vision of exactly what they wanted and our team made it happen. ProMed is your go-to source for more than medical supplies - contact us today to learn more!

Swap Your Heavy Blankets for Spring-Friendly Styles

Warmer weather means it’s finally time for lighter bedding. If you’re ready to swap heavy quilts for light cotton blankets but your current linens aren’t up to snuff, give us a call!

Now is also the perfect time to check and see if any of your other linens need updating. Are your towels wearing thin? Do your sheets have holes? Or are you just ready to upgrade? Our knowledgeable territory managers will help you find the perfect linen solutions for every season.

During the warmer months, your residents will appreciate our woven and ribbed blankets and spreads, which are available in a spectrum of colors. These can be paired with or changed out for our solid and printed quilted spreads when the weather turns cool.

We also stock the following linen solutions for year-round use:

• Premium, standard and knitted sheets
• Bath blankets to keep residents warm and protect modesty
• Reusable and disposable pillows with non-woven or vinyl bodies
• Premium and standard white terry in multiple weights
• Colored terry for color-coding by use, department or resident
• Generously cut clothing protectors in terrycloth and flannel
• Reusable underpads in a variety of absorbencies
• Related items such as mattresses, laundry carts and hampers

To learn more, contact your territory manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com. To view or download or Textile and Linen Solutions catalog, click here.

Medtronic Recalls Neonatal, Pediatric and Long Tracheostomy Tubes

Medtronic has announced a voluntary recall of its cuffless Covidien Shiley Neonatal, Pediatric and Long Tracheostomy Tube and Shiley Neonatal, Pediatric and Long Pediatric Tracheostomy Tube with TaperGuard Cuff. The recall follows reports of users experiencing discomfort and breathing difficulties. Twelve reports of serious injury have been received.

If a resident is using one of the affected products and not experiencing any difficulty, Medtronic recommends consulting with the physician to see whether the tube should be replaced immediately or at the next scheduled interval.

Facilities should review their inventory and segregate any affected products and return them directly to Medtronic, if that is how they were purchased, or to the distributor who sold them.

The affected item numbers that are available from ProMed are:

• 4.5 PEF (ProMed item number 109-4.5PEF)
• 5.5PEF (ProMed item number 109-5.5PEF)

To download the recall paperwork, click on the product links above and then select the Clinical Documentation tab (login is required). 

If you have any questions, please give us a call at (800) 648-5190. 

COPD: Lesser-Known Symptoms and Complications

If your residents have been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonay disease, or COPD, you're likely familiar with its common symptoms, including shortness of breath, wheezing and chest tightness. However, according a HealthGrades article, there are other, less-known complications that the disease can cause.

Depression 
A shortness of breath can limit resident activities, leaving them feeling depressed. This can be eased through medication or talk therapy.

Osteoporosis
Taking steroids to fight COPD can increase residents' risk of developing osteoporosis. Residents taking steroids should have bone density scans and might need prescription medication along with calcium and vitamin D supplements to strengthen bones. Some exercise, such as strength training, can also be beneficial.

Pneumonia
Taking steroids for COPD can also lead to an increased risk of pneumonia. Residents should consult with the physician about receiving the pneumonia vaccine; if they have already received it, the physician might still order a second dose.

Right-Sided Heart Failure
COPD can lead to right-sided heart failure, a condition in which the right side of the heart becomes enlarged and can't pump properly. This is caused by continuous high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs and can be controlled through medication, supplemental oxygen or a low-salt diet.

Shingles
People who have COPD, especially those who take steroids, are at a higher risk for shingles. The shingles vaccine can help prevent the disease or lessen its effects.

Trouble Sleeping 
Bronchodilator medication, stimulants commonly used to help treat COPD, can make it tough to sleep. Coughing and low oxygen levels can also be to blame. To help residents get a more restful night's sleep, encourage them to try going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, avoid caffeine before bed, avoid watching TV in bed and keeping the room cool, dark and comfortable.

Unhealthy Weight 
Being overweight or underweight can make COPD symptoms worse. If this is the case for your residents, a physician or registered dietitian can help create a healthy eating plan that meets their goals.

Urinary Symptoms 
Older men who use inhaled anticholinergic drugs to control COPD have a 48 percent higher risk for acute urinary retention. A physician should be contacted immediately if this occurs.

To learn more, click here.

Advanced Wound Care: What to Choose When

It can be tough to keep up with advanced wound care product claims and features! To help you out, ProMed has created the quick reference guide below.

Dressings at a Glance1

Alginate

Indications: Moderate to heavily draining wounds, partial- and full-thickness wounds, pressure ulcers (Stages III and IV), dermal wounds, surgical incisions or dehisced wounds, sinus tracts, tunnels, cavity wounds, infected wounds 

Features:

• Hydrophilic gel is produced when alginate comes in contact with wound exudates
• Can absorb up to 20 times its weight
• Does not adhere to wound

Products to try:

• DermaGinate
• DermaGinate/Ag

Collagen

Indications: Burns, grafts, any type of wound with light, moderate or heavy drainage 

Features:

• Provides a moist healing environment
• Some reduce destructive elements in wound fluid
• Promote tissue granulation and epithelialization

Products to try:

• DermaCol
• DermaCol/Ag 
• SilvaKollagen Gel

Film

Indications: Superficial wounds with little exudate; commonly used as secondary dressings to attach a primary absorbent dressing 

Features:

• Permeable to gases and water vapor, but impermeable to wound fluids
• Retain moisture and are impermeable to bacteria and other contaminants
• Allow wound observation
• Do not require a secondary dressing

Products to try:

• DermaView
• DermaView II 

Foam

Indications: Partial-to full-thickness wounds with light to heavy exudate; frequently used under compression stockings to help treat venous leg ulcers 

Features:

• Have small, open cells that hold fluids
• Permeable to water and gas
• Some have a waterproof top surface

Products to try:

• Bordered Foam/Ag
• ComfortFoam
• ComfortFoam Border
• DermaFoam
• DermaLevin
• HydraFoam
• HydraFoam/Ag

Hydrocolloid

Indications: Stage I-IV pressure ulcers, partial- and full-thickness wounds, dermal ulcers, necrotic wounds 

Features:

• Adhesive, absorbent and elastomeric components
• Form a gel upon contact with wound fluid
• Facilitate autolytic debridement
• Self-adhesive, mold well and minimize skin trauma and healing disruption
• Can be used under compression wraps
• Can be used as a preventive dressing for areas at high risk of friction

Products to try:

• DermaFilm

Hydrogel

Indications: Lightly to moderately draining wounds, necrotic wounds 

Features:

• High water content provides moisture to the wound and rehydrate dry wound beds
• Cooling and soothing
• Reduce pain

Products to try:

• AquaDerm
• DermaGauze
• DermaSyn
• DermaSyn/Ag

Your ProMed territory manager is ready to prepare a custom Wound Care Product Selection Guide for your facility! To get started, contact your territory manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com. 

Reference

1 Lippincott’s Nursing Center. Wound & Skin Care: Choosing a wound dressing, part 2. Available at: http://www.nursingcenter.com/lnc/journalarticle?Article_ID=770292. Accessed April 29, 2015. 

Happy National Nursing Home Week!

It's National Nursing Home Week - are you ready to celebrate? The theme of this year's event is Bring on the Fiesta and it will be celebrated from May 10-16.

According to the American Health Care Association, "We call on everyone to strut their stuff this week. Make it a special time of entertainment and education for all while focusing on bringing to life the subtheme of 'Familia, Vida and Amor' (family, life, love). Show how your care center, as part of culture change, brings these vital attributes of quality care to the forefront, irrespective of anyone's age of physical or intellectual ability."

The AHCA notes that this week is the perfect time to encourage new guests, infrequent visitors and local VIPs to realize the importance of a kind word, personal touch and connection to the resident.

If you haven't already planned your fiesta, click here to download a planning guide, sample press release, sample invitation, sample proclamation and more.

ProMed hopes you enjoy your celebration and thanks you for all that you do!

Make Spring Cleaning Easier and More Effective with Microfiber

It's time for spring cleaning! If you’re not getting the sparkling clean that you want as you prepare your facility for warmer temperatures, it’s time to take a look at microfiber.

Microfiber strands are several hundred times smaller than strands of cotton. During the manufacturing process, the microfiber strands are split, creating open spaces in the strand. These tiny openings help microfiber strands get into miniscule nooks and crannies to lift and trap dust, grime and moisture without damaging delicate surfaces.

Microfiber strands are also positively charged. Dirt and dust are negatively charged, so they’re attracted to microfiber like a magnet. Impurities stay trapped in the microfiber until they are rinsed out or released in the laundering process.

Microfiber products are perfect for both wet and dry applications and can be used on floors, walls, windows, furniture, restrooms, showers and more!

Other benefits of microfiber:

It’s more efficient

• Eliminates streaks, reducing cleaning time
• Absorbs up to seven times its weight
• Cleaning solutions go farther

It’s better for your bottom line 

• Reduced water and chemical use
• Lasts five to 10 times longer than conventional materials
• Cleans more efficiently, reducing labor and chemical costs

It’s better for the environment

• Fewer chemicals are used when clenaing with microfiber
• Uses less water, helping to preserve natural resources

To learn more, contact your ProMed territory manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com for additional information.

AHCA Expands Quality Care Initiative, Announces New Goals

The American Health Care Association, or AHCA, announced today that it is expanding its existing initiative to improve quality of care in skilled nursing facilities.

The announcement builds on the progress made in the area of quality improvement over the past three years.

The new initiative includes eight measurable goals that center around three priorities: improvements in organizational success, short stay/post-acute care and long-term/dementia care. The targets and priorities include:

Improve organizational success by: 

• Increasing staff stability by decreasing turnover among nursing staff by 15 percent or achieve and maintain a turnover rate of 40 percent or less by March 2018; 
• At least 25 percent of members measuring and reporting long-stay resident and family satisfaction and/or short-stay satisfaction using the Core-Q survey
• Reducing the number of unintended health care outcomes by March 2018 

Improve short-stay/post-acute care by: 

• Safely reducing the number of hospital readmissions within 30 days during a skilled nursing center stay by an additional 15 percent or achieve and maintain a low rate of 10 percent by March 2018 
• Improving discharge back to the community by 10 percent or achieve and maintain a high rate of at least 70 percent by March 2018 
• At least 25 percent of members adopting and using the mobility and self-care sections of the CARE tool and report functional outcome measures using the LTC Trend Tracker 

Improve long-term/dementia care by: 

• Safely reducing the off-label use of antipsychotics in long-stay nursing center residents by an additional 10 percent by December 2015 and 15 percent by December 2016
• Safely reducing hospitalizations among long-stay residents by 15 percent or achieve and maintain a low rate of 10 percent or less by March 2018 

To learn more, click here. 

Happy National Nurses Week!

Happy National Nurses Week! The annual celebration kicks off today with the theme of "Ethical Practice, Quality Care."

National Nurses Week begins on this date each year and runs through May 12, Florence Nightingale's birthday.

If you're looking for last-minute ideas on how to celebrate at your facility, visit the American Nurses Association's website and download the National Nurses Week 2015 Resource Toolkit. It includes the following components:

• A printable thank-you card to print and hand out to the nurses on your team 
• A printable certificate of recognition 
• An email-template 
• A printable banner that can be personalized with your organization's name or logo and displayed at your facility 
• Online ads for your organization's website
• National Nurses Week logos 
• Articles and letters to help you promote National Nurses Week to your community and the media 

ProMed salutes all nurses and thanks you for your dedication!

Get Outside and Enjoy Spring with Our Mobility Solutions

(For details on the rollator pictured above, click here) 

The weather is finally warmer and spring flowers are making an appearance! You and your residents are no doubt itching to get outside and enjoy some fresh air. You can make outdoor excursions as enjoyable and hassle-free as possible by ensuring that your residents’ mobility aids are designed for both indoor and outdoor use.

Professional Medical stocks a full line of mobility solutions to meet all resident needs. Our knowledgeable territory managers will be happy to show you the following products:

• Walkers in traditional and bariatric styles that are lightweight and easy to maneuver and fold
• A comprehensive variety of wheelchairs and transport chairs
• Rollators with durable, rugged wheels that easily navigate over bumpy outdoor surfaces
• Quad and standard canes with soft foam grips for comfort and security
• A specialized knee walker for residents recovering from foot surgery, breaks, sprains, amputation and ulcers
• A full range of accessories to make existing equipment more user-friendly

To learn more, contact your ProMed territory manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com.

Raise a Glass to Cinco de Mayo with Non-Alcoholic Margaritas

Cinco de Mayo is tomorrow! If you’re looking for a festive way to celebrate with your residents, why not whip up a batch of non-alcoholic margaritas? They’ll have you saying “olé!”

Ingredients
One 6-ounce can frozen limeade concentrate
3⁄4 cup orange juice
2⁄3 cup unsweetened grapefruit juice
Four cups small ice cubes
Lemon or lime slices (optional)

Directions
In a blender, combine the limeade concentrate, orange juice and grapefruit juice. Cover and blend until smooth. With the blender running, gradually add ice cubes through the hole in the lid, blending until slushy. Pour into festive glasses. If desired, garnish with citrus slices.

Makes eight (4-ounce) servings.

Nine Tips for a Better Night's Sleep

Do you find yourself tossing and turning long after calling it a night? Maybe the following get-to-sleep strategies listed in a CNN article will help.

1. Give your body a full hour to wind down from work before you try to fall asleep. 
2. Take a warm bath or shower. Your body temperature drops rapidly after you get out of the water, which can make you feel sleepy. 
3. Put on socks. Research has found that the perfect recipe for sleep is a cooler core and warmer extremities. 
4. Deliberately change your pattern of breathing. You might try inhaling through your nose, filling your chest and lungs for three to four seconds and then slowly exhaling through your mouth for double the time you were inhaling. 
5. Don't head to bed until you actually feel sleepy. 
6. If you're looking to try a calming technique such as visualization or progressive muscle relaxation to help you unwind, try it during the day, not at night when you're feeling anxious and restless. 
7. If you're lying in bed awake, get out of bed and move to another room until you feel sleepy. 
8. Hide or dim your clock. If you're constantly checking the time, you're putting more pressure on yourself and creating a stressful environment. 
9. If racing thoughts keep you awake a night, try writing them down before you go to bed. Processing your feelings can help you relax. 

Last but not least, keep in mind that you're not alone. Approximately 60 million Americans experience insomnia in a given year and 40 million have long-term sleep disorders.

To learn more, click here.