Month: September 2019

With the shrinking budgets in current times, the healthcare sector has been negatively affected, and only a few facilities have the resources to afford the latest and sophisticated equipment. On the other hand, healthcare providers are trying their best to reduce the wait time, deliver a high level of care, and to improve the patient outcomes. As such, it is important to have more medical equipment which will ensure that every person gets the desired service whenever they require it.  By purchasing used equipment, you are guaranteed of relatively lower costs which will free up resources which can be used in other areas of the budget. However, buying used equipment comes with a significant amount of risk which is why you should be certain of their quality especially when making large purchases. Below are things you should consider when you buy medical and surgical equipment.

Seek for used equipment from nearby health facilities
There might be medical facilities in your neighborhood which would be closing or moving to a new location. In case there is, consider enquiring on whether they have a moving or closing sale. If the medical facility is not willing to take their equipment with them, you will be guaranteed of good medical equipment at reasonable prices. In most scenarios, medical facilities advertise their used equipment in online platforms hence it is imperative to do an online search for such equipment around your neighborhood.

Ask healthcare providers whether they have old equipment they wish to sell
A local or family doctor may have some used medical equipment which they don’t require anymore. Notably, most people will not advertise such equipment which is why you should personally seek this information. If the healthcare provider no longer needs the equipment, they will sell it to you at a throwaway price thus saving your resources. However, you should not force the healthcare providers to sell their equipment to you since they will most likely exaggerate the prices.

Consider Buying Equipment with a High Resale Value
In future, you might wish to resell your equipment if at all it is in a perfect working condition. Notably, some equipment has higher market demands compared to others hence it will be easy to find a buyer in future. As such, you should factor in the resale value of the equipment when making the purchase. Some of the used medical equipment with a high resale value includes syringe and infusion pumps, ventilators, defibrillators, surgical tables, anesthesia machines, and wheelchairs, EKG machines, surgical microscopes, infant warmers, incubators, and patient monitors.
In a nutshell, it is imperative that you consider the factors above before purchasing any used medical equipment. As such, you will avoid making catastrophic mistakes which can negatively affect your employees and patients.

Bathroom accidents have become rampant. A study that was conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that every one in three persons has suffered from a serious bathroom-related injury.

Things like slippery surfaces make bathrooms the most hazardous place in the home. For those of the elderly age gap, the joy of enjoying a good bath is usually clouded by the fear of sustaining serious injuries. However, it does not have to be all bad. There are ways to make the bathroom safer for seniors. They include:

Choosing the right dimensions

The dimensions of the bathroom should be able to accommodate the immediate and potential needs of the senior. Sufficient space is highly important because it lets the senior move around the bathroom freely, without any restrictions. Ideally, the door should be 34-inches at a minimum and be wide enough to accommodate bathtubs for the elderly as well as a wheelchair.

The American with Disabilities Act states that bathrooms that are meant for seniors should have a 5-foot turning radius. The top of the sink should be at least 34-inches wide to also allow for a good amount of space.

Installing grab bars

For seniors to feel safe and secure in the bathroom, they should always have something to hold on to. In this case, grab bars are perfect. They play a big role, especially for seniors who have poor balance as well as mobility issues. If the senior in your life has been making use of the towel bars in your bathroom, then it is time to make proper upgrades.

If anything, towel bars are not meant for support. They may cause serious accidents. A good number of grab bars should be installed all over the bathroom, and they should be in places that requite easy to reach. After all, a majority of seniors do not have good upper-body strength. With these bars, standing and moving around will be easy tasks.

Investing in bathtubs for the elderly

There are bathtubs that are specifically designed for elderly people. They are the best solution as they eliminate any haphazard accidents that may occur in the bathroom. This is because they allow users to walk in and sit down, unlike the climbing over that is required by traditional bathtubs. Walk-in tubs give seniors the confidence to walk in the bathroom and enjoy their shower without having to worry about slipping or falling.

The installation of these safety features in the bathroom drastically decreases the risk of any injuries. They make it easy for seniors to enjoy unsupervised baths in their much-needed privacy, especially if they are used to caregiver assistance.

This will be highly appreciated because everyone prefers privacy when they are cleaning up. Also, adding simple things like anti-slippery mats and shower chairs will add an extra layer of comfort to the bathroom. A few simple adjustments go a long way in any bathroom. It is best to stop accident dead in their tracks. You know what they say, better safe than sorry.

Utah has a vibrant business community, and as these business run, they produce both hazardous and non-hazardous waste. Though hazardous waste disposal increases the cost of doing business, improper hazardous waste disposal in Utah can cost much more.

First, improper hazardous waste disposal can lead to interruption of business as operating licenses can be suspended or revoked due to noncompliance with waste disposal laws.

Second, victims of improper hazardous waste disposal in Utah can sue for the losses suffered. Biohazardous waste is one type of toxic waste produced by businesses in Utah; it is also referred to as regulated waste. This article discusses the rules governing the collection, transportation, and disposal of biohazardous waste in Utah.

What is biohazardous waste?

Biohazardous waste is trash that can carry infectious diseases. Examples of biohazardous waste include human blood, blood products, sharp waste, pathological waste, animal waste, and microbiological waste. Due to the severe risks improper disposal of regulated waste poses to human beings, Utah has come up with rules on how such waste should be stored, transported, and disposed of.

Infectious Waste Requirements

Utah law classifies biomedical waste generators into two: large quantity generators and small facilities. Large quantity generators are facilities that produce more than 200 pounds of biohazardous waste per month. Small facilities produce less than 200 pounds per months.

The rules governing the handling of more than 200 pounds of biohazardous waste are outlined in the Utah Administrative Code, Rule R315-316, also known as Infectious Waste Requirements. The requirements apply to facilities that generate more than 200 pounds of biohazardous waste per month; facilities that store, treat, or dispose of more than 200 pounds of regulated waste; and transporters who carry more than 200 pounds of biohazardous waste in any single load.

The facilities and transporters are required to have a biohazardous waste management plan. The plans should detail things such as the type and quantity of the waste; the steps followed in segregating, packaging, labeling, collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal of the waste; as well as the persons or departments responsible for waste management in the facility. Other highlights of the Infectious Waste Requirements are as follows:

• Human anatomical remains should be disposed of by interment or incineration. That includes fetal remains.
• Infectious waste should be stored separately from other trash.
• Biohazardous waste should be put in red or orange containers that bear the international biohazardous sign. The containers should also be labeled as “infectious waste,” biomedical waste,” or “biohazardous.”
• Before reuse, infectious waste containers should be washed and decontaminated.
• If biohazardous waste is stored for more than one week, it should be kept at a temperature below 5 degrees Celsius. The waste should not be stored for more than 60 days.
• Biohazardous waste should not be transported in the same vehicle as other waste unless the biohazardous container is separate and leak-proof.
• The waste should be loaded and unloaded by adequately-trained persons; also, they should have protective equipment.
• Liquid and semi-solid biohazardous waste can be released into sewage systems for secondary treatment with the operator’s permission.

Facilities and transporters that handle less than 200 pounds of biohazardous waste are not regulated by Rule R315-316; they are governed by rules set by local health departments.

Improper disposal of biohazardous waste in Utah has serious legal implications that businesses should be keen to avoid. From time to time, you should audit your waste disposal practices for compliance with biohazardous waste disposal laws.

Privacy is something every homeowner wants in the backyard. An outdoor space away from prying eyes allows you to relax better, experience the solitude and quietness, and just feel at home even when you’re technically outside home.

Of course, there’s also the aesthetic appeal of privacy: the hideaways spark intrigue and mystery on people. What’s there to find at the bend of this curved pathway? What’s to see after this moon gate? In short, privacy is a must in outdoor spaces, in terms of both functionality and visual appeal.

But while fences, panels, and lattices are great options for increasing privacy within the yard, plants are equally good choices. The best choice when you’re going au naturel in your look. If you plan to use plants as your privacy panels, here’s what you need to keep in mind.

Scale

One common mistake homeowners make is overlooking scale or the size of the plants in relation to the space they want to screen. The design principle is simple: if you have a huge open area that you want to close off, say, a road opposite your yard, go big in your greenery.

Place spruce or hemlocks, for instance. Or, if you already have a specific species in mind, but they’re not that overwhelming in size, just use big or tall Italian garden planters to achieve the kind of privacy the space demands.

On the other hand, if you only want to create a little bit of solitude, say, when separating your alfresco from the kids’ play area, then small, low-growth plants are what you need. Go for boxwood or cherry laurel. The height of these species allow you to have some seclusion and also supervision of your kids.

Position

You need to be precise in terms of the placement of the plants. Otherwise, in your aim to screen a few views, you could be inadvertently concealing good sights, too. Worse, you might be diverting attention to eyesores.

Decide from the very start what you want to conceal. Is it the cars passing by while you’re in your alfresco? Is it the sight of your neighbor’s messy lawn? At the same time, take into consideration the focal point, too. What do you want to highlight? Is it the water fountain surrounded by lilies? The bright red swing at the farthest wall?

Move around the plants, left, right, forward, back to see which positions best highlight the good sights and downplay the bad views. You could snap some pics on different angles to remember how the views look from possible positions.

Layer

It’s best to vary the plants you have as screens and arrange them in layers. One, you don’t want your entire panel disappearing when pests or diseases attack them. You don’t want to lose your privacy that instant, do you? Besides, isn’t it a little more private when you know that you have two, three layers of plants surrounding you?

Two, it’s more pleasing to the eyes when there’s a sense of depth in the arrangement of the plants. Of course, the differences in colors also add to the visual appeal. So group plants to form a thicket. Mix some evergreens, deciduous shrubs, and some clamps of perennial grasses.

Fences, gates, and screens are great for increasing privacy in the yard. But if you want to go the natural route and use plants, take note of these principles as you push for your makeover project.

Meta Title: Privacy with Plants: Using Plants to Create Privacy in Your Yard

Meta Description: Tired of the fences and gates as privacy elements in your yard? Go au naturel. Use your plants as screens. Here are the elements to consider.

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About 20% of adults experience varicose veins at some point. With laser treatment, it is possible to get rid of the veins and alleviate pain. Varicose veins develop when valves in your veins become weak. The valves make it difficult for blood to flow backward through the veins. If they are damaged, blood pools up in your veins causing the veins to swell and become visible.

You will notice varicose veins by their purple or dark blue appearance. They bulge out of the skin and may be achy. Other signs of varicose veins include the following:

1. Dry and itchy skin that may appear thin over the veins

2. Swollen feet and ankles

3. Discomfort on your legs

4. A burning sensation in your legs

5. Muscle cramps

Varicose veins are not only unsightly and painful but also a cause for self-consciousness. They may affect your self-esteem and confidence. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to treat them and alleviate the symptoms.

Medical Solutions:

1. Laser Surgery:

With this treatment method, your doctor directs intense bursts of light onto the affected veins. The treatment causes them to fade and gradually disappear. If you are seeking varicose vein treatment in Frisco, Prime Heart and Vascular is one of your best options.

2. Ligation and Stripping:

With this treatment procedure, your varicose veins are removed by surgery.

3. Endothermal Ablation:

This procedure uses heat to seal the affected veins and treat your varicose veins.

4. Endoscopic Vein Surgery:

This treatment option involves surgery where a tiny video camera is placed into the affected leg. It makes it possible for your surgeon to see well. They will remove the veins through a series of tiny incisions.

5. Sclerotherapy:

This treatment procedure uses a specific foam to close and shrink your affected veins.

6. Ambulatory Phlebectomy:

Your doctor punctures your skin and uses small slits to remove your affected veins. The procedure results in minimal scarring.

Home Remedies

If you are not yet ready to seek medical treatment for your varicose veins, there are a few home remedies that you may try.

Some of them may include the following:

1. Dietary Changes:

Certain changes to your diet may help you get rid of varicose veins. Reduce your intake of salt and sodium. Most of them may promote water retention. Increase your intake of potassium-rich foods as they may help reduce water retention. Foods that are rich in potassium include; potatoes, green leafy vegetables, tuna, almonds, and lentils. Foods that are rich in fiber may help you prevent constipation and increase your bowel movements. Fiber-rich foods include; whole-grain foods, oats, nuts, and wheat.

Increase your intake of flavonoids. They increase your blood circulation and may help shrink your varicose veins. Flavonoids may help reduce blood pressure in your arteries. Foods that are rich in flavonoids include; garlic, apples, bell peppers, broccoli, and spinach.

2. Wear Non-Restrictive Clothing:

Tight-fitting clothes can restrict the circulation of blood. Avoid tight-fitting clothes and wear flat shoes instead of high heels if you have varicose veins in your legs.

3. Massage:

Massage the affected area gently to promote the circulation of blood. Use gentle massage oils to achieve the best results. Massage around the affected veins and not directly on them.

The facility at Prime Heart and Vascular will help you find the right treatment regardless of the intensity of your varicose veins. They have been in business since 2017.

Across the country, every year thousands of preventable house fires occur threatening the lives of adults and children alike. In 2017 in Victoria alone, there were 1588 preventable house fires, responsible for an estimated $42 million in damage of personal property. Electrical faults were the cause of a quarter of these fires, according to the CFA.

It’s truly tragic that electrical issues could be endangering Australians’ lives, especially when these electrical fires can easily be prevented. Safeguard your family, your property and your belongings by getting any electrical maintenance completed promptly so you can enjoy greater peace of mind. This article will discuss electrical warning signs in your home that may necessitate hiring an emergency electrician to fix them.

1 – Flickering or Dimming Lights

If your lights are flickering or dimming unexpectedly, this could be a sign of a wiring fault or other electrical problem. If it happens often and affects multiple lights, you should call an emergency electrician to deal with the problem. Electrical problems can arise with wiring over time as it deteriorates, or due to rodents or possums chewing into it. If your lights are flickering or dimming, make sure you get an emergency electrician in to do a thorough check of your home’s wiring.

2 – Tripping Circuit Breaker

Noticing your circuit breaker is tripping quite frequently? This also could be a sign that you need the expertise of an emergency electrician in your house. While every now and then it’s normal to experience a circuit tripping, if it happens all the time, this could mean there’s an issue with your wiring or that your circuit is overloaded. Find a qualified emergency electrician to investigate the cause of your tripping circuit breaker to make sure your electrics are still safe.

3 – Strange Sounds

If you can hear a humming or buzzing sound emanating from your breaker box or from a power point, you need to call an emergency electrician straight away. Unusual electrical noises are a definite giveaway that something isn’t right in the wiring of your home. It’s a good idea to get it seen to by an emergency electrician as soon as you can.

4 – The Smell of Burning

A burning smell from outlets or appliances is an urgent warning. It means the outlet or item plugged into it are overheating. Immediately switch off the outlet and unplug the appliance as well as any power boards. Some other signs of burning are visual, such as discoloured switches and power points with black or brown marks. If you notice any of these signs, call an emergency electrician right away and get the relevant power points inspected.

5 – Visible Sparks

A sparking power point is clearly a worry, and something that you need to take action on by calling an emergency electrician. Any kind of sparking is dangerous, as it can cause damage to the wiring as well as potentially cause a house fire. If you notice sparks, turn the power point off straight away and phone a reliable emergency electrician in your city.

6 – Electric Shocks

All electrical shocks are warning signs – even if they’re small – that there’s a problem with your electrics. It means that electricity is escaping and your wiring isn’t safe. It puts you at risk of injury from further shocks as well as at risk of an electrical fire. If you get a shock from an outlet, the right thing to do is to turn off the switch and unplug any appliances, then call your local emergency electrician to determine the cause of the shock.

An allergy can be described as a reaction of a person’s immune system to foreign substances. That could be dander from pets, pollen, or even some types of food. Allergic reactions occur when the immune system manufactures antibodies in response to exposure to allergens. The antibodies then attack the allergens, having mistakenly identified them as harmful. As a result, the body may experience reactions that inflame the airwaves, the skin, or even the digestive system. People who suffer from allergies can seek temporary relief in antihistamines or consult Dr. Laura Ispas of Allergy Asthma & Immunology Institute for more long-lasting solutions such as allergy shots. Below are some of the merits and demerits of allergy shots.

Merits of Allergy Shots:

Allergy shots are associated with a number of benefits. Some of them include:

Permanent Solution:

Oral antihistamines only provide temporary relief by easing the symptoms of an allergic reaction. On the other hand, allergy shots address the causes of allergic reactions. When the treatment is successful, patients get complete cure because allergy shots treat underlying allergy causes rather than the symptoms.

Cost-effective Cure:

Over-the-counter antihistamines may be less costly than allergy shots in the short run. However, in the long run, allergy shots are less expensive than oral medications. This is because patients relying on oral antihistamine may have to use them throughout their lives, while immunotherapy takes only a few years, and effective treatment can offer permanent relief.

Demerits of Allergy Shots:

Allergy shots come with a number of shortcomings. Some of the demerits of immunotherapy include:

It Does Not Work for All People and on All Allergies:

Although allergy shots are generally effective, they don’t work for everyone. Some people may suffer from unpleasant side effects. Besides, allergy shots do not treat all kinds of allergies. For instance, allergy shots are ineffective when it comes to treating urticaria and food allergies. Urticaria causes chronic hives that are related to underlying diseases such as lupus or hyperthyroidism. Besides, allergies resulting from insect venoms such as spider bites and bee stings cannot be dealt with by allergy shots.

Time Commitment:

Time commitment is one of the main challenges that patients seeking immunotherapy have to contend with. For instance, in the first phase, the shots have to be taken twice per week over a period of up to six months while the second phase of treatment requires shots to be taken two per month and the phase could last for three years or more. Some people may lack the time or consistency needed to make the treatment successful.

The Takeaway:

Overall, it is apparent that unlike oral antihistamines that offer temporary relief, allergy shots seek to provide patients who have allergies with a permanent solution. However, allergy shots may not work well for some people. Besides, they cannot treat all kinds of allergies. All in all, allergy shots are generally effective, and they can offer relief for most patients. If you are looking for a reliable allergist to help you with issues of allergic reactions get in touch with Allergy Asthma & Immunology Institute in Lees burg for more information about the practice.

When you age or suddenly lose weight, your skin becomes loose and starts to hang or even create wrinkles. Unfortunately, this may give you a tired or worn-out facial appearance. To solve this issue, it may be necessary for the underlying muscles to be repositioned. Although this can be achieved by the use of over-the-counter skin tightening creams, the results are not only slow but also unpredictable. On the other hand, surgical skin tightening is more invasive and may need a longer recovery time despite the fact that it is more effective. As a result, it is imperative for you to seek more advanced non-surgical skin tightening treatments, such as laser skin tightening in Fort Worth, from board-certified plastic surgeons or dermatologists. Below are some of the benefits that are associated with non-surgical skin tightening.

Reducing Wrinkles and Lines:

Most advanced skin tightening treatment procedures target the skin layer that cosmetic surgeons pull back when performing face lift procedures. This stimulates the production of collagen, which ensures long term tightening of the skin. Some treatments come with wrinkle cartridge, a substance that is effective when it comes to the treatment of superficial wrinkles found around the lips and eyes.

Slows Down the Aging Process:

Aging is a natural part of life. At some point, age catches up with everyone, and therefore, loose sagging skin is something that we should expect to come with age. However, it is possible to slow down the process. By going in for an effective non-surgical skin tightening procedure, you can keep your younger-looking face for a little bit longer. This is because skin tightening treatments stimulates the production of collagen, which keeps the skin looking tighter and younger for a long time.

Minimal Discomfort:

Compared to surgical skin tightening procedures, non-surgical procedures are less invasive, and therefore, they cause less if any discomfort. Most of those who have undergone non-surgical skin tightening procedures report a tolerable, warming sensation. Therefore, non-surgical skin tightening is a painless and a much safer alternative to surgical tightening.

No Downtime:

Most people dread skin-tightening procedures because they are afraid that the recovery time may be prolonged. However, the truth is that non-surgical skin tightening does not have any downtime. Although the results of some of these treatments can be noticed immediately after undergoing skin tightening treatment, you can go back to your day-to-day businesses straight from the doctor’s office. Therefore, you do not have to take a long time off.

The Takeaway:

Overall, it is apparent that although aging is a reality of life, it is possible to slow down some of its impacts. For instance, skin tightening can help people to maintain a younger face for a long time. If you are looking for effective professional skin tightening, Skin Deep Laser MD is the answer. They have board-certified professionals who are willing to listen to you, understand what you want to achieve, and offer professional skin tightening solutions. Feel free to get in touch with them today for more information about their products and services.

Pap smear Test:

Also known as a Pap test or a smear test, a Pap smear is a non-invasive procedure used by doctors to look for changes in the cervical cells. Changes in the cervical cells have been associated with cancer, pre-cancer or HPV. Without treatment, cervical cancer may spread to other areas of the reproductive system such as the uterus, and ovaries. During the test, a specialized physician removes microscopic samples of these cells through the vagina and tests them as part of the cancer-screening program. Because HPV results in most cases of cervical cancer, people also opt to test for it. Dr. Daniel Roshan is a recognized expert in obstetrics and gynecology, who can perform a range of examinations to help catch reproductive problems early, and treat them successfully.

Who Needs a Pap smear?

Following new research, it is no longer necessary that Pap smear tests be done annually and for every female. Nowadays, only females older than 21 need to go in for pap smear tests. From the age of 21 to 29, screening can be done every three years. Women aged between 30 and 65 can get an HPV and Pap smear test done every 5 years and those over 65 years of age with a previous history of tests need not screen anymore. Additionally, women who have had a hysterectomy procedure done don’t need to get screened.

The Procedure:

The Pap smear test, done as part of a gynecological visit or wellness exam, requires the patient to be nude from the waist down. You will be covered in a sheet to make you feel more comfortable. You’ll be required to lie down with your back on the exam table and legs in stirrups.

The doctor inserts a speculum into the vagina to help separate the walls and facilitate easy access to the cervix. You will feel some slight pressure as the doctor opens the speculum but this is normal. Next, a thin stick or brush is inserted into the vagina all the way to the cervix, where the doctor will brush away the cervical cells into a petri dish to be taken into the lab for testing. Some women notice slight spotting a day or two after the procedure but this is also normal.

Results:

Most clinics and hospitals offer results a few days after the procedure. If the results are normal, you will not need another Pap smear test for the next three years at least. Only if the results are abnormal will the health facility contact the patient. If the results show any abnormality in terms of cell growth, it does not mean you have cancer only that your cells have changed. The doctor will require additional testing to investigate why the cells have changed. According to research, Pap smear tests are less effective in women with obesity and they will, therefore, need frequent follow-up exams.

Treatment:

If you’re found to have cancer cells, the doctor will recommend a procedure to have them removed. There are many options for removal, which include an electrical current or a laser beam. The doctor will numb the cervix or offer sedation during the removal procedures. If you’re found to have HPV, you may not require treatment. HPV is an asymptomatic condition, which means you don’t experience any symptoms if you have it. However, HPV can cause other bothersome conditions like genital warts, which can be removed by creams and other treatments.