Repton Medical: Blog Blog https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/ Thu, 28 Mar 2024 22:48:36 GMT urn:store:1:blog:post:118 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/iso-9001-certification ISO 9001 Certification <p>We are very please to announce that Repton Medical Ltd has earned ISO 9001:2015 certification for it's QMS (Quality Management System) from TUV in accordance with international standards from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 26pt;"><img src="/images/uploaded/ISO 9001 - UKAS.jpg" alt="ISO 9001 Certification for Repton Medical" width="423" height="257" /></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 26pt;"><strong>ISO 9001: 2015</strong></span><br /><span style="font-size: 26pt;"><strong>GB01849</strong></span></p> <p> </p> <p>It is a great honor to have been awarded this certification and it is something that we at Repton Medical take great pride in. All of our staff have worked incredibly hard to achieve this and it will help to propel Repton Medical into the future.</p> <p> </p> <h5>What is ISO 9001:2015?</h5> <p>ISO 9001:2015 is an internationally recognised quality management standard developed and published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Having the certification provides a model for companies of all types and sizes to use when building a long lasting and effective quality management system. The standard is based on various quality management principles, including having a strong customer focus, involvement of high-level company management, an outlined process-based approach, and ongoing improvement of the aforementioned approach.</p> <p>For more information on the standards, please visit <a class="link " href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=Blvor36a41j9lfCPlio1wErZ3W5ALhkKnMwUqnkp_Jld6536lfJtr5h5qyQeKXTBX2sFtp_YoBsE-BBT_uGYwQ==" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" data-ylk="slk:www.iso.org" data-rapid_p="16" data-v9y="1">www.iso.org</a></p> <p> </p> urn:store:1:blog:post:117 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/finger-tape-note-prompts-nurses-to-secure-wriggly-fingers-of-young-patients Finger Tape Note Prompts Nurses to Secure Wriggly Fingers of Young Patients <p><img src="https://www.ivhouse.com/sites/default/files/images/blog-images/939S-9MO-MG_0622.jpg" alt="Finger Tape Note Prompts Nurses to Secure Wriggly Fingers of Young Patients" width="603" height="339" /></p> <p>Very young pediatric patients are known for their ability to wriggle out of any contraption. That’s why stabilizing the wrist and protecting the IV catheter during IV therapy is so important.</p> <p>A handy card included with each small or medium TLC® Wrist Splint with Straps reminds nurses to use a ½ inch strip of tape across the fingers of infant and toddler patients. The pre-attached straps with Velcro® closures at the wrist and forearm secure the device.</p> <p>...</p> <p><a href="https://www.ivhouse.com/education/tools-updates/tape-to-secure-fingers" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">[Click Here To Continue Reading]</span></a></p> <p><a href="https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/iv-therapy" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">[Click Here To View This Product Range]</span></a></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:116 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/picc-associated-soft-tissue-infection-and-uedvt PICC associated soft tissue infection and UEDVT <blockquote> <p>"Diagnostic imaging revealed venous thrombosis of cephalic vein and abscess formation within the soft tissue of right axilla with cultures ultimately growing Nocardia otitidiscaviarum"</p> <p>Douedi et al (2020).</p> </blockquote> <p>Background: Nocardia otitidiscaviarum is an aerobic, gram positive bacteria with low virulence and incidence. Despite being uncommon, N. otitidiscaviarum has been associated with skin, lung, and disseminated infections.</p> <p>Case report: A 56-year-old male with past medical history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and recent travel to the Bahamas presented to the emergency room with complains of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and non-bloody diarrhea for four days. He ultimately required a PICC line for total parenteral nutrition. 2 days after line placement, he developed high fevers and severe right arm pain. Diagnostic imaging revealed venous thrombosis of cephalic vein and abscess formation within the soft tissue of right axilla with cultures ultimately growing Nocardia otitidiscaviarum. He underwent surgical incision and drainage of the abscess followed up with complete excision of the right cephalic vein and antecubital vein as well as sharp excisional debridement of skin, subcutaneous tissue and muscle fascia and was treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for 3 months.</p> <p>Conclusion: Nocardia otitidiscaviarum treatment of cutaneous disease consists of trimethoprim- sulfamethoxazole for three to six months. While guidelines for surgical intervention for cutaneous infection are not specified, our patient required surgical incision and drainage of abscess, along with excision of vein due to necrosis in addition to antibiotic treatment for 3 months with successful outcomes.</p> <p>Reference:</p> <p>Douedi S, Fadhel M, Patel S. Iatrogenic Nocardia otitidiscaviarum after PICC line placement. IDCases. 2020 Oct 24;22:e00986. doi: 10.1016/j.idcr.2020.e00986. PMID: 33163361; PMCID: PMC7607419.</p> <p>Source: <a href="https://www.ivteam.com/intravenous-literature/picc-associated-soft-tissue-infection-and-uedvt-full-text/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">https://www.ivteam.com/intravenous-literature/picc-associated-soft-tissue-infection-and-uedvt-full-text/</span></a></p> <p>Read Full Article: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214250920302948?via%3Dihub">https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214250920302948?via%3Dihub</a></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> urn:store:1:blog:post:115 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/arm-mobilization-provokes-deformity-of-implantable-port-catheter Arm mobilization provokes deformity of implantable port catheter <p><strong><em>"The aim of this study was to demonstrate and classify catheter deformations caused by extreme arm mobilization and associations with changes in catheter function and displacement"</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>- Diamante Leiderman et al (2020).</em></strong></p> <p>Background: The incidence of totally implantable catheter fracture ranges from 0.48 to 5%, and these fractures represent a potentially fatal complication. The fracture mechanism of catheters implanted via the jugular vein is unclear, and whether extreme arm movements represent an additional risk factor for repetitive stress of the material remains unknown. The aim of this study was to demonstrate and classify catheter deformations caused by extreme arm mobilization and associations with changes in catheter function and displacement.</p> <p>Methods: We analyzed the fluoroscopy images of 60 consecutive patients undergoing long-term indwelling port implantation via the jugular vein. Three images were taken: arm in maximal abduction, maximal frontal elevation and maximal adduction. The images were compared to an image of the remainder of the arm. We analyzed three catheter regions to classify the deformity: A, connection between catheter and reservoir; B, the catheter’s subcutaneous tunnel; and C, the catheter’s entrance in the jugular vein. The deformations were classified in comparative manner as follows: 0 (no changes), 1 (minor changes, new slightly curvatures with angle greater than 90o) and 2 (major changes, new severe curvatures with angles of 90o or less). In each position, catheter function (injection and aspiration) and displacement of the reservoir and tip were analyzed.</p> <p>Results: Only 15% of patients did not show a deformity; 33.3% had a deformity in only one position, 47.7% in two positions and 10% in three positions. Minor deformities were observed in 70% of patients and major deformities in 40%. Moreover, 25% of patients presented both major and minor deformities. Major deformities were observed in 25% of patients on maximal frontal elevation, in 23.3% on maximal adduction and in none on maximal abduction. Region B was the most affected, with 57.8% of all minor deformities and 78.1% of all major deformities. No change in function was noted in 91.7% of the catheters. Maximal arm adduction resulted in greater vertical and horizontal displacement of the catheter tip and horizontal displacement of the reservoir. The greatest body mass index values were associated with major deformities.</p> <p>Conclusion: Maximal frontal elevation and maximal adduction were associated with major catheter deformities, and the subcutaneous tunnel region was the most deformed catheter region. An association between major catheter deformity and high BMI was noted; in contrast, no association between the severity of catheter deformity, tip or reservoir displacement, or worsened functioning was observed.</p> <p>Reference:</p> <p>Diamante Leiderman DB, Souza KP, Tomé Binatti CE, de Almeida Mendes C, Teivelis MP, Brito CF, Diamante Leiderman DB, Wolosker N. Arm mobilization provokes deformity of long-term indwelling ports implanted via the jugular vein. J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord. 2020 Oct 29:S2213-333X(20)30555-2. doi: 10.1016/j.jvsv.2020.10.010. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33130283.</p> <p>Source: <a href="https://www.ivteam.com/intravenous-literature/arm-mobilization-provokes-deformity-of-implantable-port-catheter/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">https://www.ivteam.com/intravenous-literature/arm-mobilization-provokes-deformity-of-implantable-port-catheter/</span></a></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:114 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/piv-sicu-presentation PIV SICU Presentation <p>The University of Michigan Children's Hospital (a very prestigious University in the US) has produced a new study, and was made into a presentation called "PIV SICU Presentation" (<a href="https://prezi.com/p/ecmdnrtbl2ct/piv-sicu-presentation/" target="_blank">which can be viewed here</a>). </p> <p>The presentation looks at Standardizing nursing practice and promoting patient &amp; family involvement in preventing complications of peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVC) in pediatric patients. More details can be found on the above linked to website, or by viewing the below video presentation. If you are interested in any of the IV Therapy products displayed here, please head over to the <a href="https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/iv-therapy" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">IV Therapy</span></a> section of our website, or contact us via the <a href="https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/contactus" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Contact Us</span></a> page.</p> <p> <iframe id="iframe_container" src="https://prezi.com/p/ecmdnrtbl2ct/embed/" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>  </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> urn:store:1:blog:post:113 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/ivhouse-tools-and-updates-blog IVHouse Tools and Updates Blog <p><img src="https://www.ivhouse.com/sites/default/files/images/blog-images/wide-straps_VH_0148_3.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="281" /></p> <p> </p> <p>The company IVHouse who makes a vast range of IV Therapy products (<a href="https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/iv-therapy" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">found here on our website</span></a>) has recently put out a blog on their website featuring many educational guides and product information. Below is a small section of their article.</p> <p> </p> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div id="block-startupgrowth-page-title" class="block block-core block-page-title-block"> <h2 class="content"><em>Tools and Updates Blog</em></h2> <h5><em>A Place to Learn What’s New at I.V. House</em></h5> <p><em>Working with nurses, I.V. House continues to update products and educational tools that help deliver on the promise of improved patient safety and increased nurse efficiency. In this blog you’ll find tips for applying I.V. House products, tools to help you select the best product for your patient, new product announcements, trial results, and recent product improvements.</em></p> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p> </p> <p>you can read the rest of this blog by heading over to their website <a href="https://www.ivhouse.com/education/tools-updates" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">"here"</span></a>.</p> <p> </p> urn:store:1:blog:post:112 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/access-for-all-lets-all-get-outside-into-the-great-outdoors-together- Access for all - Let's all get outside into the great outdoors together ! <p><span style="font-size: 26pt; font-family: 'arial black', 'avant garde';"><strong>Access for all - Let's all get outside into the great outdoors together ! </strong></span></p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/Wheelchair users.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="168" /></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We at Repton Medical feel everyone should be able to enjoy the outdoors and spring is definitely just around the corner. So no matter what your ability we all know fresh air and being outdoors is great for the body and mind.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Studies also show being outdoors improves your mental health and is key to a healthy lifestyle. However, if you have limited mobility, or are a wheelchair user, it is not always easy to access our countryside and can be difficult at times.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The problems you might face can vary greatly. If you are capable of walking long distances on flat paths you may still encounter problems with stiles, steps or overhanging trees. The impact could vary from a minor inconvenience to something that could be overcome with the help of a companion, to an obstacle that could prevent you from enjoying an outing at all.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Users of both manual and powered wheelchairs can expect to encounter major problems on most country paths, particularly those with challenging surfaces, steps and obstructions. You are entitled to take a wheelchair anywhere that is open to walkers, but that does not mean the path will be practical for a wheelchair user.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">There is an increasingly wide range of mobility scooters available and some are designed for use on the more rugged routes. However these will still encounter problems with hazards such as stiles, steps, gates and narrow or blocked paths  </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">If you have limited mobility you may also need other facilities such as regular rest stops; accessible toilets; extra wide parking spaces; or accessible public transport.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">So, we also suggest a little research beforehand and looking at route ideas and recommendations, as this can be key to planning your outing.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">It can be difficult to find reliable sources of information about accessibility in the outdoors, but the good news is that the situation is improving, and more information is slowly becoming available. Some useful sources of information are identified below.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We have found that information, whilst not always from reliable sources, is increasing, and more information is slowly becoming available.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Some useful links we have included to help, so let’s get out there –</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">It is International Wheelchair Day on Friday 1<sup>st</sup> March 2019 and Repton Medical is proud to be supporting it. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Visit our Facebook page to view our various offers.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><img src="/images/uploaded/IWD-2015-high-res-circle-Copy-1.jpg" alt="" width="385" height="385" /></strong></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Useful sources of information:</strong></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">         Great walk suggestions <span style="color: #000080;"><strong>http://walkswithwheelchairs.com/UK/Derbyshire/Buxton/338</strong></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">         Peak District -.<span style="color: #000080;"><strong><a href="https://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/access-for-all"><span style="color: #000080;">https://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/access-for-all</span></a></strong></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">         National Trust -<span style="color: #000080;"><strong> https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/access-for-everyone</strong></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">         Access Guide to the Peak District -<span style="color: #000080;"><strong><a href="https://www.companionstairlifts.co.uk/news/accessible-guide-to-the-peak-"><span style="color: #000080;">https://www.companionstairlifts.co.uk/news/accessible-guide-to-the-peak-</span></a> district  </strong></span></span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:111 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/sitting-up-straight-can-actually-make-you-happy-as-well-posture-care- Sitting up Straight can actually make you happy as well - Posture Care . <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 36pt;"><strong>Sitting up Straight can actually make you happy as well?</strong></span></p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><img style="float: left;" src="/images/uploaded/Sitting up.png" alt="" width="250" height="231" /></p> <p style="text-align: left;" align="center"> </p> <p style="text-align: left;" align="center"> </p> <p style="text-align: left;" align="center"> </p> <p style="text-align: left;" align="center"> </p> <p style="text-align: left;" align="center"> </p> <p style="text-align: left;" align="center"> </p> <p style="text-align: left;" align="center"> </p> <p style="text-align: left;" align="center"> </p> <p style="text-align: left;" align="center"> </p> <p style="text-align: left;" align="center"> </p> <p style="text-align: left;" align="center"> </p> <p><span style="font-size: 26pt; font-family: 'arial black', 'avant garde';">Posture Care</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Think about this for a moment, do you have poor posture and positioning whilst sitting, walking and standing. And perhaps also like me, remember as a child in school being constantly told to sit up straight. And today as an adult it’s one of those things you keep in the back of my mind as something, we know we should do, but never get around to, like eating more vegetables and going to the gym.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">However surprisingly current research is showing how our posture affects us, in different ways. If you’re like me and actually half the population (a current study stated that half the UK population suffered from bad posture or back pain caused by bad posture) and struggle to sit up straight when you know you should, you might like this post.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So, ok the way we stand, sit and walk, has more longer reaching implications on our mood and happiness than we thought.  Our Body language also plays an important part in this as it is also closely link to our posture.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Erik Peper a Dutch behavioural scientist has done extensive research into this area, as well as experiments with his students.  He regularly makes participants in his classes stand up and stretch as standard practise throughout the sessions.  </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Here are his three fascinating things that happened once our posture changes and during Erik Peper’s live experiments:</span></p> <p> </p> <ol> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">    He noted that when we sit up straight, we are more likely to <a href="http://blog.bufferapp.com/how-to-never-forget-the-name-of-someone-you-just-met-the-science-of-memorization">remember positive memories</a> or think of      something positive in general, according to this <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/health/article/How-posture-influences-mood-energy-thoughts-4784543.php">experiment</a>.       <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/health/article/How-posture-influences-mood-energy-thoughts-4784543.php"><br /> </a></span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">    Another insight was that if we skip during breaks, we can significantly increase our energy levels. A          slow, slumped walk on the other hand, can do the exact opposite and drain us of our energy.</span></li> </ol> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p> <ol start="3"> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">    The study also found that those who were most affected by depression before the study found their          energy drained more than others.</span></li> </ol> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So Erik Peper is convinced from his research that we should keep a careful eye on our posture and body language—and can bring us down without us realizing.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So clearly, our posture also has more to do with our minds then we realised. And in fact, it seems like our bodies come first—when we alter our posture and body language, it subconsciously influences our thinking and decision-making.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>So, let’s think positive and think how to improve our Posture.</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So if we all now want to take advantage of these proven benefits to <a href="http://blog.bufferapp.com/10-scientifically-proven-ways-to-make-yourself-happier">living a healthier and happier life</a> , here’s what to consider regards our posture and body language .</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Here are the most common areas to consider:</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <img src="/images/uploaded/Screen-Shot-2013-11-11-at-8.09.23-AM.png" alt="" width="961" height="378" /></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Unfortunately, there’s not a whole lot of research into how exactly to adopt good posture—a lot of what we now know tends to come from being told simply to “sit up straight” as a child unfortunately – clearly more useful advice today then learning “algebra” anyway.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Many of us now have jobs that do require us to spend time working at desks or driving, so knowing how to sit with good posture is certainly important and beneficial to one’s health and our welfare. That said don’t forget the human body was built to move, not spending 8 hours at a computer or long hours in a car. Like Erik Peper promotes move about, stand up and stretch regularly or whenever possible.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <strong>Here’s are our 5 Tips for a Proper Sitting Posture to help. </strong></span></p> <p> </p> <ol> <li><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">    Hips to the back of your <strong>chair</strong>. Move your hips as far back into the <strong>chair</strong> as they can go. ...</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">    Use a lumbar support and positioning cushion. ...</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">    Thighs and forearms parallel to the floor. ...</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">    Work with your elbows at your sides. ...</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">    Look straight ahead and do not forget to smile.!</span></li> </ol> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">As you can see from point 2 on our Tips a Lumbar support and positioning cushion are a great idea to help posture and welfare, and help us manage correct positioning and seating.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Repton Medical have a great range of specialist positioning and posture management products to help.  </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Visit their website today or give them a call 01909 724890</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/positioning-products</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> urn:store:1:blog:post:110 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/stay-safe-this-winter-think-fall-prevention Stay Safe this Winter - Think Fall Prevention <p><span style="font-size: 26pt;">Stay Safe this winter – Think Fall Prevention</span></p> <p> </p> <p> <img src="/images/uploaded/elderly-fall (1).jpg" alt="" width="968" height="726" /></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Anyone can have a fall, but older people are more vulnerable and likely to fall, especially if they have a long-term health condition.</strong></p> <p>Falls are a common, but often overlooked, cause of injury. Around 1 in 3 adults over 65 who live at home will have at least one fall a year, and about half of these will have more frequent falls.</p> <p>Most falls do not result in serious injury. But there's always a risk that a fall could lead to broken bones, and it can cause the person to lose confidence, become withdrawn, and feel as if they have lost their independence.</p> <p>We are also heading towards the cold winter months and difficult weather conditions – slippery paths and icy conditions. So, you need to consider a fall prevention strategy for the months ahead and stay safe.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> <img src="/images/uploaded/Guy falling.jpg" alt="" width="259" height="194" /></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Here are Repton Medical's Top 7 suggestions for preventing falls in the elderly during the Winter months and staying safe.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <ol> <li>    Plan ahead. When possible, plan trips around the weather. If you do not need to go out, don’t go out. Wait for the weather and travel conditions to          become clear.</li> <li>    Allow enough time to get where you are going. The chances of falling increase when you rush and use less caution.</li> <li>     Exercise caution when getting into and out of vehicles and your home. Always hold securely to a door or another person.<br />     Take the path of least resistance. Look for the safest route to your location, including the paths into buildings. Choose alternate routes when necessary.</li> <li>     Ask for help. Ask someone to help you navigate slippery or unsafe paths.</li> <li>    Wear the right clothes - warm and dry . Wear gloves if necessary , to keep hands free for stabilization and balance.</li> <li>   Wear appropriate footwear inside and outside. Consider slipper’s and sock’s thread and gripper protection. Extra protection can be worn.  Wear shoes      or boots with rough-textured soles that provide good grip in all kinds of weather conditions. </li> <li>Keep Warm and dry at all times. Look after yourself and help protect your heat.</li> </ol> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Repton Medical have an amazing range of products to help and prevent falls in the home.</p> <p> </p> <p>Visit our website today.</p> <p><a href="https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/fall-protection-prevention-elderly-care?fbclid=IwAR3hT9MkqQiy0lkwLmEj0XNA3b9rQt6UOvCpqwmsmk6UKGjOxuXJPNn_dKc">https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/fall-protection-prevention-…</a></p> <p> </p> urn:store:1:blog:post:109 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/helping-breast-feeding-mothers- Helping Breast Feeding Mothers ! <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size: 26pt; font-family: 'arial black', 'avant garde';">MamaSafe - Helping Breast Feeding Mothers!</span></p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/Blog/mamasafe-helps-you-heal.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="304" /></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Why MamaSafe?</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Many mothers suffer from sore nipples during the lactation period. Unfortunately, and despite the best of intentions, continuous feeds can cause nipples to become very sore as little one begins to suckle.</span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Initially, nipples become irritated and the natural swelling can lead to open cracks and very uncomfortable inflammation.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">As the body heals, the wound dries and scabs form which are then torn off when your baby starts to feed again.</span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">This is just the start of an unpleasant and painful cycle that often causes Mums to stop breastfeeding early, denying the child the very best of start in life.</span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">In the worst-case scenario, breastfeeding can be discontinued prematurely due to the pain becoming unbearable for the feeding mother. </span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">MamaSafe is designed specifically to help by protecting the nipple and support the healing process in a natural and simple way. Therefore, preventing the need to use plasters or other adhesive bonding that could further damage your skin, cause major discomfort and/or catch on your clothing and do more damage to your nipples.</span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The special 3cm thick foam donut ring design ensures that there is enough distance from any material which could come into unwanted contact with sore nipples.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">When do I use MamaSafe?</span></strong></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">You can use our MamaSafe nipple protectors not only for inflamed nipples but also for preventive purposes during the entire lactation period. Thanks to, MamaSafe, your sensitive nipples won't get irritated unnecessarily through contact with clothing or a nursing bra. </span></p> <p><br /><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">How do I apply MamaSafe?</span></strong></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Place the MamaSafe protective nipple ring on the breast so that the nipple is situated in the centre of it. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The red and blue bands around each MamaSafe pad help to identify which nipple they have been used on previously. Always use the same pad on the same nipple to avoid cross-contamination. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">MamaSafe rings can be conveniently placed under the bra and support a safe and fast healing environment. </span></p> <p><br /><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">What are the made of?</span></strong></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">MamaSafe nipple protector rings are made of breathable and absorbent materials (cotton and foam material) that are gentle to your skin.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">They can be safely disposed of along with your other household waste. Each pair of MamaSafe nipple protector pads are packed inside sealed packaging. </span></p> <p><br /><strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Manufacturer's note</span></strong></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">For reasons of hygiene we recommend replacing MamaSafe rings daily or whenever they get too dirty. We advise that you do not try to re-use nipple protector rings should they become soiled.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Repton Medical and MamaSafe is dedicated to helpi<img src="fac" alt="" />ng mothers with breast feeding – aiding and supporting them throughout this amazing time</strong>!</span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #0000ff;">Visit either our website; https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/mamasafe-nipple-protectors or <a href="http://www.mamasafe.co.uk">www.mamasafe.co.uk</a></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #0000ff;">Or simply - Call one of our team direct on ; 01909 724890</span></strong></p> <p> </p> urn:store:1:blog:post:108 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/hand-therapy-tis-the-season-to-be-uncomfortable Hand Therapy- Tis the season to be uncomfortable <p style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-size: 26pt;"><em>Tis the season to be uncomfortable.</em></span></strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Hand therapy</strong> </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">As all our thoughts turn to the changing in weather conditions and we start to move in the cold, and damper seasons of autumn and winter.</span></p> <h1><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">We should also give a thought to those living with conditions that are greatly affected by these changes in temperature, especially joint conditions such as Osteoarthritis, Arthritis and even rehabilitation programmes after surgery or injury, patients are massively affected.</span></h1> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Cold weather can exacerbate joint pain and <a href="https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-causes-joint-stiffness-189345">joint stiffness</a>, for all these patients and changes in exercise routines and movability is reduced and more difficult or even limited.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Whilst all these conditions are very serious in all part of the body, a patient’s hand are critical and have become a great focus in treatments over the last few years.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Treating them effectively – to maintain and prevent support to all the other joints is paramount. A patient’s hand function is critical for all other treatments. Without hand <a name="_GoBack"></a>movability a patient will be limited to aiding other joint treatments and forms of rehabilitation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Hand therapy is becoming an important part of all joint treatments and is also key to promoting effective treatments successfully. Keeping your hand mobile will aid all further treatments and patients further care programme.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The key focus will be aimed at the non-surgical management of hand disorders and injuries using physical methods such as exercise programmes, splinting and support aid’s – such as Palm Cones and Grips, Finger separators and finger contracture cushions. These products will be key focus in the any treatment programme.These products massively support a patient with the need to separate fingers and prevent complete closure of the hand, and ultimately promote and maintain movement.</span></p> <table style="height: 144px;" width="809"> <tbody> <tr> <td><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="/images/uploaded/download (1).jpg" alt="" width="134" height="134" /></span></td> <td><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">They aid separating fingers, from bending towards the palm and concentrate fully on maximizing finger separations. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">They are comfortable and easy to use, making them ideal for everyday use in rehabilitation, and treating all these conditions.  </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Repton Medical offer a great range of products to assist such treatments and are a market leader in hand therapy. They value the importance of hand therapy in all forms of treatment today.</span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Visit their website today <a href="https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/hand-therapy">https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/hand-therapy</a> or give their team a call today – 01909 724890 for advice and support.</span></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:107 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/shower-guards Shower Guards <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Perfect Protection for Casts and Dressings – September 2018</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p>After the initial trauma of a breakage or wound damage to a limb, perhaps the next step in your recovery journey is trying to get your life back to some form of normality whilst wearing a plaster cast or dressing.</p> <p>Everyday tasks need to be reconsidered and thought about, and unfortunately the things we take for granted such as pain management, movement and mobility are not the issues to plan for.</p> <p>The patient needs to consider the actual plaster cast or dressing itself apart from regularly assessment by a Health Care Professional, it will need care and attention to aid the recovery process.</p> <p>For example, something as simple as <strong>not</strong> getting your non-waterproof casts or dressing wet whilst showering, washing and bathing is crucial, and especially in a younger or elderly patient’s.  </p> <p>As a result of the conventional padding inside a cast getting wet, it won't dry. Neither will the skin next to it. That can cause significant problems, including skin infection, skin death and sometimes permanent scarring. So, they always would need to be recovered immediately and replaced if they are water damaged at all.</p> <p>Protection for the casts and dressings is crucial to aid recovery, whilst maintaining a healthy life and recovery.</p> <p>Shower Guards give that protection, they are a clean and waterproof protection guard for anyone who has recently had surgery and is currently wearing a cast, bandage or dressing. Whilst wearing a shower guard, you would be able to shower, bathe and wash without the worry that the cast or dressing will be damaged or cause further complexions.</p> <p>Shower guards are very easy to use and can be fitted perfectly by anyone, even with an injury or plastered limb, <a name="_GoBack"></a>such as an arm or leg . They are easily applied with a single hand and therefore great for the younger and older patient.</p> <p> <img src="/images/uploaded/familypack-main1-2.jpg" alt="" width="117" height="117" /></p> <p>Repton Medical have a range of Shower Guard protection for Hands, Feet, Arms and Legs, visit the website today</p> <p>  <a href="https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/search?q=shower+guard">https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/search?q=shower+guard</a></p> <p>Or Call the team for advice; Tel ; 01909 724890 .</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:106 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/hip-fractures-and-hip-protectors Hip Fractures and Hip Protectors <p style="text-align: left;"><strong><img style="undefined" src="/images/uploaded/atlibertyhealth-logo1.jpg" alt="" width="147" height="47" /></strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Hip Fractures and Hip Protectors</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Did you know?</strong></span></p> <p><strong>Hip fractures cost the NHS around £2 billion annually. </strong></p> <p><strong>There are approximately 65,000  hip fractures each year in the UK, which leads to around 4000 hospital beds being occupied by hip fracture patients, at any one time. There are 71% of patients who receive surgery within two days of their hip fracture, and the average stay in hospital after surgery is between 19 and 20 days. </strong></p> <p>This puts extra pressure on the NHS as they require more staff to ensure that safe care is being provided, meaning it costs more money to pay for the extra staffing that is required.</p> <p>Generally patients with hip fractures will need an air mattress. There can be a high demand for air mattresses, because patients with hip fractures have reduced movement, which means pressure sores have to be prevented. If there aren’t enough air mattresses, then a patient with a hip fracture, has to be turned ever two hours, to help prevent pressure sores. This takes a minimum of two staff members, to a maximum of four staff members. So pressure is put upon staff members to ensure that patients are receiving the upmost care.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Hip Fractures:</strong></p> <p>The cause of Hip fractures are often by either a fall or a direct blow to the side of the hip. If you have a medical condition, (Osteoporosis, Cancer or stress related injuries). Your hip bone can be weakened, which means you could be at a higher risk of a hip fracture.</p> <p><strong>Symptoms of a Hip fracture:</strong></p> <p>-          You are unable to move immediately after a fall.</p> <p>-          You get severe pain in your hip or groin.</p> <p>-          You get bruising, swelling and stiffness around your hip.</p> <p>-          You are unable to stand or put weight on your leg.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Preventing Hip Fractures:</strong></p> <p>-          Ensure that you get enough calcium and vitamin D.</p> <p>-          Participate in regular exercise to strengthen your bones and improve your balance.</p> <p>-          Make sure that your home is safe, ensuring that you have no objects on the floor that could make you trip over or cause a fall.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong> </strong><strong>Using Hip Protectors:</strong></p> <p>Hip Protectors can prevent broken bones or hip fractures. They help to reduce the impact of a fall and lower the likelihood of a hip fracture. A lot of Hip Protectors feature impact absorbing foam pads over the critical hip fracture area, which help protect against fall related injuries.</p> <p>Hip protectors are designed to be comfortable and suitable to also wear when sleeping, in case of a fall out of bed. They are also designed to provide extra cushioning for the individual.  </p> <p>Hip protectors would be very beneficial to elderly people who are at a high risk of falling, whether that may be at home, or in a care home.</p> <p><a href="https://atlibertyhealth.co.uk/">https://atlibertyhealth.co.uk/</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/">https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/</a></p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/download.jpg" alt="" width="135" height="135" /><img style="float: right;" src="/images/uploaded/images.jpg" alt="" width="138" height="138" /></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:105 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/specialists-in-seating-and-positioning-aids Specialists in Seating and Positioning Aids <p><strong>                       <img src="/images/uploaded/atlibertyhealth-logo1.jpg" alt="" width="438" height="140" />                                              </strong></p> <p> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>      Specialists In Seating and Positioning Aids</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Good Posture</strong></p> <p><span style="color: #3366ff;">The word ‘posture’ is by which a person holds their body by sitting or standing. The importance of good posture is to keep your bones and joints in the correct position to ensure that your muscles are being used correctly. Good posture aids the decrease in abnormal wearing of joint surfaces that could lead to arthritis, and it also prevents your spine developing an abnormal position.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #3366ff;">Good posture helps with your respiratory and digestive system and it also helps promote many other health benefits.</span></p> <p><strong>Poor Posture</strong></p> <p><span style="color: #ff6600;">Poor posture can damage your back and cause poor digestion when sitting, standing or laying incorrectly, this can compress your digestive organs, leaving them unable to function as they should. Not only can this be very uncomfortable, it can also lead to ill health problems, having poor posture can also restrict oxygen and blood flow, which leads to difficulty in breathing and speaking. This means that it could be difficult to participate in other more essential moving activities, due to an increased demand for oxygen.</span></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong> How can you improve your posture?</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>-      <span style="color: #3366ff;">    <strong>If possible, stand up and stretch every thirty minutes</strong>; this will allow your organs to receive the oxygen they need.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #3366ff;">-          <strong>Exercise; </strong>If you focus on physical activity that builds and strengthens your core, it will be much easier to maintain a positive posture.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #3366ff;">-          <strong>When sitting on a chair; </strong>keep your back straight against the chair, and both feet flat on the ground, with your knees at hip level.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #3366ff;">-          <strong>Use pillows while sleeping or proper sleep systems;</strong> they provide support for your back, helping to improve your posture while lying down. For more information on our sleep system, visit our website; <a href="https://atlibertyhealth.co.uk/"><span style="color: #3366ff;">https://atlibertyhealth.co.uk/</span></a></span></p> <p><span style="color: #3366ff;"> </span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Next week between the 23<sup>rd</sup> and 25<sup>th</sup> of July 2018 is the annual Posture and Mobility Group Conference! (PGM) </strong> <strong>Come and join us and explore our great range of products!</strong></span></p> <p><span style="color: #3366ff;">The PGM conference is a huge event that provides industry exhibition, an educational programme, and networking events for all professionals that work within the posture and mobility sector. This event is all about the posture and mobility needs of wheelchair users, but it is also extremely useful and beneficial to professionals that specialise in other elaborate seating needs.</span></p> <p>                                      <span style="color: #cc99ff;">   The conference runs between <strong>Monday 23rd - Wednesday 25th July 2018, at Manchester Central. </strong></span></p> <p><strong>                                                                         <span style="color: #ff00ff;">            AtLibertyHealth will be on stand number 22.</span></strong></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:104 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/posture-and-mobility-annual-conference-2018 Posture and Mobility Annual Conference 2018 <p><strong>Posture &amp; Mobility Annual Conference 2018</strong></p> <p><strong>Manchester Central</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>The word posture is defined by which a person holds their body by sitting or standing. The importance of good posture is to keep your bones and joints in the correct position to ensure that your muscles are being used correctly. Good posture aids the decrease in abnormal wearing of joint surfaces that could lead to arthritis, and it also prevents your spine developing an abnormal position. Good posture contributes to a good appearance and prevents back and muscular pain. Having poor posture can damage your back, and cause poor digestion because poor posture when you are sitting compresses your digestive organs, leading them unable to function as they should.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>This event focuses on the posture and mobility needs of wheelchair users and those with complex seating and positioning needs.</strong></p> <p><strong>Come and join us at the 2018 Posture and Mobility Conference this July!</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>The PGM conference is a huge event that provides industry exhibition, an educational programme, and networking events for all professionals that work within the posture and mobility sector. This event is all about the posture and mobility needs of wheelchair users, but it is also extremely useful and beneficial to professionals that specialise in other elaborate seating needs.</p> <p>The conference runs between <strong>Monday 23rd - Wednesday 25th July 2018, at Manchester Central. </strong></p> <p><strong>AtLibertyHealth will be on stand number 22.</strong></p> <p>We will be bringing along our Liberty products. Here are some examples of the kind of products we will be bringing with us:</p> <p> </p> <p>Time is of the essence. We look forward to seeing you there with all our amazing products!</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:103 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/the-nhss-70th-birthday The NHS's 70th Birthday! <p style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><strong> THE NHS’S 70<sup>TH</sup> BIRTHDAY</strong></span></p> <p>The NHS was launched by the Health Secretary Aneurin Bevan in 1948 at Park Hospital in Manchester and he was in charge of bringing hospitals, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, opticians and dentists together. The idea was that good healthcare should be available to all people, despite their wealth. When everything came into place on July 5<sup>th</sup> 1948 it was based on three principles:</p> <p>-       To meet the needs of everyone</p> <p>-       For it to be free</p> <p>-       To be based on clinical need</p> <p>These have been the three core principles of the NHS over the past 70 years and still remain the same. </p> <p><strong>Life expectancy has risen over the years </strong></p> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td width="205"> <p> </p> </td> <td width="206"> <p>Then</p> </td> <td width="206"> <p>Now</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="205"> <p>Male</p> </td> <td width="206"> <p>65 years</p> </td> <td width="206"> <p>76 years</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="205"> <p>Female</p> </td> <td width="206"> <p>70 years</p> </td> <td width="206"> <p>81 years</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p> </p> <p><strong>The Retirement Age has Changed</strong></p> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td width="205"> <p> </p> </td> <td width="206"> <p>Then</p> </td> <td width="206"> <p>Now</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="205"> <p>Male</p> </td> <td width="206"> <p>65 years</p> </td> <td width="206"> <p>65-67 years</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="205"> <p>Female</p> </td> <td width="206"> <p>60 years</p> </td> <td width="206"> <p>65-67 years</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p> </p> <p>The NHS cares for over 1 million patients every 36 hours. All staff that work within the NHS deserve a huge thank you and lots of appreciation for all the amazing care and treatment that they deliver to us. Without the NHS we would not have all the extremely helpful and educational information that we do. </p> <p>Without the NHS, medical attention would not be free at the point of access. Lower income families may not seek medical attention with the potential to decrease life expectancy.</p> <p>The risk that medical assistance would only be accessible for the higher income families goes against the very ethos of the health sector professional’s beliefs. With no NHS, staff availability would decrease since the majoritycome into the profession to do good and help all walks of life, not just for those who can afford it.  We should all be extremely grateful for having the NHS as it is an amazing service and we are very lucky to have it!</p> <p> </p> <p>The NHS provides lots of jobs and careers, for people to be able to make a living, but for them to also be able to make a difference to others lives. We have lots of professionals who will work hour after hour doing their best and giving you the best care possible. The NHS is not something that we should take for granted, we should appreciate it and thank all members of the NHS for all the amazing hard work that they do. </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>HAPPY 70</strong><strong><sup>TH</sup></strong><strong>BIRTHDAY NHS!</strong></span></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:102 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/preventing-heart-disease Preventing Heart Disease <p><strong>9<sup>th</sup> May 2018</strong></p> <p><strong>Preventing Heart Disease</strong></p> <p><strong>&nbsp; What Is Heart Disease?</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;Heart disease, also known as <strong>cardiovascular disease</strong>, covers a wide range of different disorders that&nbsp; affect the heart.</p> <p>There are many types of heart disease:</p> <p>-&nbsp; &nbsp; Coronary Heart Disease: This condition is where your heart muscles do not receive enough blood and oxygen.</p> <p>-&nbsp; &nbsp; Silent Ischemia: This condition is where the blood flow to your heart muscle is reduced.</p> <p>-&nbsp; &nbsp; Angina: This condition is where your heart does not receive enough nutrients or oxygen.</p> <p>-&nbsp; &nbsp; Heart attack: This is where part of your heart muscle may be damaged to do a blockage of blood flow.</p> <p>-&nbsp; &nbsp; Heart Failure: This condition is where your heart is unable to pump enough blood to your body to meet its needs.</p> <p>-&nbsp; &nbsp; Arrhythmia: This condition where your heart does not function normally, it can skip beats, become irregular and beat slow.</p> <p>-&nbsp; &nbsp; Heart Defects:&nbsp; This is an obstruction that can both partly or ultimately block the flow of blood.</p> <p>-&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Peripheral Arterial Disease: This condition is where the flow of &lsquo;oxygen-rich&rsquo; blood to your legs and feet is blocked or reduced.</p> <p><strong>How Can We Prevent Heart Disease?</strong></p> <p>- Healthy Eating: If you can maintain a healthy balanced diet, you can improve your blood cholesterol levels. Eating foods in low saturated fat and sodium, eating plenty of fruit&amp;veg, eating fibre rich foods, fish and low fat dairy products. Choosing to eat lean meat and not a lot of sugary, fatty foods, also this helps reduce and lower the risk of developing a heart disease.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>- Staying active: Taking part in physical activities can help you control your weight and reduce your blood pressure. Exercise helps the heart work more efficiently thus reducing the risk of developing a heart disease.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>- Your Weight: Maintaining a healthy body weight can decrease the risk of major health problems. People who are overweight or obese are more at risk of developing a heart disease; being able to lose and maintain your weight can reduce the risk of developing a serious heart condition.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>- Smoking: Smoking increases blood pressure and lowers your exercise tolerance. It increases the risk of blood clots. Not smoking can be a huge benefit to your health, and it lessens the chance of developing a heart disease.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>- Alcohol: Alcohol can cause a temporary increase in your heart rate and blood pressure. Long-term drinking can affect your heart muscle; it can become weak and result in on-going increased heart rate and blood pressure. Having an increased heart rate can cause blood clots and lead to a heart attack or stroke. Having an increased blood pressure can thicken the arteries and this can also cause a stroke or heart attack. Having a weak heart muscle can lead to developing a heart disease. It is strongly advised that you do not exceed the daily or weekly recommended units regularly.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>- Stress: Stress can have an effect on your blood and cholesterol levels, causing increased cholesterol levels. Some people choose to smoke, drink alcohol and over eat to deal with their stress. Exercising and maintaining a positive attitude, enjoying a healthy diet and not smoking or abusing alcohol are all great ways to reduce and deal with stress.</p> <p>There are so many ways you can keep active and healthy, while maintaining a good lifestyle, so that you do not develop any type of Heart Disease. Here are some things you can do daily to prevent yourself from developing a heart disease:</p> <p>-&nbsp; Eat healthily: get your five fruits and vegetables a day!</p> <p>-&nbsp; Maintain a healthy blood pressure by exercising</p> <p>-&nbsp; Limit your calories, don&rsquo;t exceed the amount of calories you can have in one day</p> <p>-&nbsp; Reduce stress by making sure you get enough sleep</p> <p>-&nbsp; Take part in exercise activities such as: aerobic, walking and swimming.</p> <p>-&nbsp; Find an activity you enjoy, but also make it a challenge.</p> <p>Even the little things you do make a huge difference to your health and well-being!</p> <p>-&nbsp; How about a ten minute walk?</p> <p>-&nbsp; Setting small goals makes a big change</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Following the steps above will support you to prevent yourself developing a heart disease!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:101 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/early-onset-dementia Early Onset Dementia <p><strong>Early Onset Dementia</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Dementia is degeneration of the brain that causes a progressive decline in people&rsquo;s abilities to think. People with early onset dementia are those who suffer with symptoms, at the ages under 65 years old. Early onset dementia can also be referred to as &lsquo;working age&rsquo; dementia.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Common types of dementia in young people:</p> <ul> <li>Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease- this is the most common form of dementia in younger people.</li> <li>Vascular Dementia- this is the second most common form of dementia in young people. Around 20% of young people with dementia have Vascular Dementia.</li> <li>Around 12% of young people with Dementia have Fronto-Temporal Dementia. It most commonly occurs between the ages of 45-65 years. In about 40% of cases there is a family history of the condition.</li> <li>Karsakoff&rsquo;s Syndrome- around 10% of Dementias in young people are caused by lack of vitamin B1, most commonly associated with alcohol abuse.</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Signs and Symptoms:</p> <ul> <li>Memory loss that disrupts daily life</li> <li>Challenges in planning or solving problems</li> <li>Difficulty in solving problems at home, work or leisure</li> <li>Confusion with time or place</li> <li>Trouble understanding visual images</li> <li>New problems with words in speaking or writing</li> <li>Misplacing things and inability to retrace steps</li> <li>Decreased or poor judgement</li> <li>Withdrawal from work or social activities</li> <li>Changes in mood and personality.</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Each person&rsquo;s experience of dementia is unique. Young people with dementia have different needs. They might-</p> <ul> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Be in work at the time of their diagnosis</li> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Have children living at home who still depend on them</li> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Have financial commitments</li> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Be physically fit</li> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Find it hard to accept their condition</li> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Find it difficult to access information</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 1 in 10 people who have a learning disability develop early onset dementia.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Young people with dementia often feel extra discrimination because most care settings and services are focussed more towards people aged 65 years and over. This means it is more difficult for younger people and their families to access support.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;Physiological changes with dementia:</p> <ul> <li>Fatigue, due to extra demands</li> <li>Stronger emotions and bodily sensations that are unexplainable</li> <li>Visual disturbances</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;Social life changes with Dementia:</p> <ul> <li>Some friends may be lost after your diagnosis</li> <li>Making new friends with via support groups</li> <li>Not being able to go out and participate in certain things</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;Maintaining physical health:</p> <ul> <li>Attending guided walks</li> <li>Organised activities</li> <li>Eating well and making sure you get the right nutrition</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;Developing early onset Dementia can be very difficult for the patient and their families, there is a lot of support that can be given to the patient and their family. This means they are not going through a difficult time alone.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:98 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/world-malaria-day World Malaria Day <p>April 25<sup>th</sup></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<strong>It&rsquo;s World Malaria Day!</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><img class="irc_mi" style="margin-top: 13px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="http://www.jenner.ac.uk/_asset/image/malaria-transmission-lifecycle-3.gif" alt="Image result for malaria" width="268" height="195" /></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Malaria is a life-threatening mosquito-borne blood disease, which is caused by a plasmodium parasite. When a mosquito bites a human, the parasites multiply in the hosts liver, before infecting and destroying their red blood cells. Malaria is a serious disease, and in some cases, it can be fatal. Malaria is transmitted by blood, which means it can also occur through a blood transfusion or an organ transplant.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<strong> Facts About Malaria: </strong></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Malaria is caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected mosquitoes.</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Nearly half of the worlds population are at risk of suffering from Malaria.</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Children under 5, who live in areas with high transmission of Malaria, are at risk of getting it.</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Since 2010, Malaria mortality has decreased globally by 29%, among all age groups, and 35% among children under 5 years old.</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Early diagnosis and prompt treatment of Malaria prevents death.</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sleeping under insecticide treated mosquito nets protects you against Malaria.</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Indoor residual spraying is the most effective way to rapidly reduce Malaria transmission.</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Pregnant women are at risk of Malaria. Those who live in moderate to high transmission areas.</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Malaria causes signification economic losses in high burden countries.</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Malaria is a life threatening disease.</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">On average, approximately 219 million people catch Malaria every year.</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">40% of the worlds population lives in Malaria risk zones.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>There are many different types of Plasmodia parasites, but only five types cause Malaria:</strong></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">P.falciparum &ndash; the deadliest species of Plasmodium</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">P.malariae</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">P.ovale</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">P.vivax &ndash; The most frequent and widely distributed parasite that causes Malaria</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">P.knowlesi &ndash; This parasite causes Malaria in animals, but it can also cause Malaria in humans too.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Uncomplicated Symptoms of Malaria:</strong></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A sensation of cold with shivering</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fever, vomiting and headaches</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Seizures, sometimes with younger people</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sweats, followed by the return of normal temperature</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Sever Symptoms of Malaria:</strong></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fever and chills</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Impaired consciousness</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Prostration or adopting a prone position</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Multiple convulsions</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Deep breathing and respiratory distress</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Abnormal bleeding and signs of Anaemia</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Vital organ dysfunction</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Symptoms usually don&rsquo;t occur for between 7 and 18 days after being infected.</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Malaria is usually more severe in pregnant women, babies, young children and the elderly. Pregnant women are advised to not travel to areas who are at risk of Malaria.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Malaria can cause serious complications-</strong></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Severe anaemia- where your red blood cells cannot carry enough oxygen around the body, leading to weakness and drowsiness.</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cerebral Malaria- where the small blood vessels leading to the brain can become blocked, causing seizures, brain damage, and coma.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Treatment for malaria:</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Antimalrial medication is used to prevent and treat Malaria. The type of medication and the length of treatment will depend on:</span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The type of Malaria</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">How severe your symptoms are</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Where you caught Malaria</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If you have already had prevention medication</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If you are pregnant</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Preventing Malaria- ABCD</strong></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Awareness of risk- Find out if you are at risk of malaria before travelling</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Bite prevention- Use insect repellent to avoid bites, all over arms and legs</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Check- See if you need to take malaria prevention tablets</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Diagnosis- Seek medical advice if you develop any Malaria symptoms</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">&nbsp;</span></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:100 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/home-care-and-quality-of-life Home Care and Quality of Life <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>How can Home Care improve Quality of Life?</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Home Care is care that allows a person with additional needs stay in their own home. This may be for:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Elderly people</li> <li>Disabled people</li> <li>Chronically ill people</li> <li>Adults with support needs</li> <li>Mental Health Patients</li> <li>People who have just been discharged from hospital</li> </ul> <p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <p><strong>Home care is available for:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Personal care, such as dressing and washing, maintaining personal hygiene.</li> <li>Cooking and meal preparations</li> <li>Companionship</li> <li>Housekeeping</li> <li>Nursing and healthcare</li> </ul> <p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <p><strong>Depending on the type of care you require will determine the duration of the care you need:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Long term, 24 hour care</li> <li>Emergency care</li> <li>Day care</li> </ul> <p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <p><strong>What is quality of life?</strong></p> <p><strong>&lsquo; </strong><strong>The standard of health, comfort, and happiness experienced by an individual or group&rsquo;</strong><strong> It is the general well being of a person. </strong></p> <p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <p><strong>How does Home Care improve Quality of Life for Elderly?</strong></p> <ul> <li>The person gets to live in their own home. This means they feel more independent. They will feel more comfortable in their own environment.</li> <li>They receive more personal care. Carers can meet the patients&rsquo; exact needs in their home, for example, giving a person their breakfast at the time they like to eat, whereas in a hospital/care home, there are set meal times.</li> <li>Home care provides the person with companionship. The person will be able to build a personal relationship with their carer. Just by being there for a chat, and helping around their home. The person feels more comfortable knowing they aren&rsquo;t on their own all of the time. It makes their day a little bit more interesting, passes a little time. Especially if they are unable to go anywhere.</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;<strong>How does Home Care improve Quality of Life for the Disabled?</strong></p> <ul> <li>Home Care offers support that some services may not be able to</li> <li>It Improves quality of life for family members, as their minds can be put at rest knowing the person is being cared for correctly</li> <li>Home Care allows the person to live at home, meaning they can socialize with their friends, they may just need help with tasks at home, for example, preparing meals, household chores</li> <li>When receiving Home Care, the persons needs will be met on a personalized level.</li> <li>Home care is more affordable because you are only paying for the services that you need.</li> </ul> <p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <p><strong>How does Home Care improve Quality of Life for the Chronically ill?</strong></p> <ul> <li>They feel more comfortable in their own home, and again more dependant, as they are in their own &lsquo;normal&rsquo; environment.</li> <li>There is help with medication if needed, for example, if an injection is needed and a person doesn&rsquo;t know how to or doesn&rsquo;t want to do it, the carer can do it for them.</li> <li>Home Care can help with household chores that a person may not be able to complete on their own. Even if it is just washing the pots, doing the laundry, or vacuuming.</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>There are many people that require homecare, whether that may be a lot of assistance, or just a little. The person that receives homecare benefits from the help they get. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:97 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/falls-prevention Falls Prevention <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Falls Prevention</strong></span></p> <p><strong>13<sup>th</sup> &nbsp;April 2018</strong></p> <p style="padding-left: 270px; text-align: justify;">&nbsp;<img src="http://iccgreenwich.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/falls-hurt.jpg" alt="Image result for falls management" /></p> <p><strong>What causes a patient to fall?</strong></p> <p>Did you know that 30% of 65-year olds fall at least once per year? The number of people aged 65 and over has been predicted to increase by 40% in the next 17 years. There are many reasons as to why a fall can occur, and they are put in to three categories:</p> <ul> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Risk factors for <strong>anticipated</strong> physiological falls. This can include some medications that can affect the following. The factors associated with this category are; <strong>loss of balance, impaired gait or mobility, impaired cognition or confusion, impaired vision. </strong>These falls occur due to the patients&rsquo; history of falls and their mobility that is gradually decreasing.</li> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Risk factors for <strong>unanticipated</strong> physiological falls. The factors associated with this category are<strong>; unexpected orthostasis, extreme hypoglycaemia; stroke, heart attack, seizure. </strong>These falls that occur cannot be predicted, it is unknown to you that it is going to happen.</li> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Risk factors for <strong>accidental</strong> falls. The factors associated with this category are; <strong>spills on the floor, errors in judgement: meaning you aren&rsquo;t paying attention or you lose concentration, cords and objects on the floor, making it a hazard for you to trip and fall over. </strong>These are falls that can happen definitely but unexpectedly.</li> </ul> <p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <p><strong>Assessing your patients&rsquo; risk for falling.</strong></p> <ul> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The assessment consists of two categories: risk factors that are <strong>extrinsic</strong> or <strong>intrinsic. </strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The<strong> intrinsic</strong> risk factors for falls are those which originate within the individual.</li> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Low blood pressure and hypotension caused by dehydration, standing and muscle weakness.</li> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Poor balance and impaired mobility.</li> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Limited endurance for physical activity.</li> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Problems with feet that cause pain.</li> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Vision impairments due to poor depth perception, glaucoma or cataracts.</li> </ul> <p>The <strong>extrinsic</strong> risk factors for falls are those which originate outside the individual.</p> <ul> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Poor lighting</li> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Slippery floors from spillages</li> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Uneven flooring surfaces</li> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Clutter</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Fall risk screening and assessment.</strong></p> <p>Reasons why your GP will refer you for a screening assessment:</p> <ul> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; You had a blackout</li> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; You experienced periods of dizziness or palpitations</li> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; You found yourself on the floor and you didn&rsquo;t know why</li> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; You have suffered from many falls</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;Purpose of the screen assessment:</p> <ul> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; You listen to what happened and why you think you fell</li> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; You identify risk factors that may have contributed to your fall</li> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The professionals agree on an action plan with you to reduce the risk of harming yourself should you fall again, and also strategies to reduce the risk of you having another fall.</li> </ul> <p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <p><strong>Preventing a fall</strong></p> <p>There are many ways and lots of things you can do to prevent a fall from happening.</p> <ul> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Non-slip socks</li> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Using barriers on walls when in the shower; in the bath; using the toilet. Barriers will aid you to help you get up safely without slipping on the wet surface, they will help you stand up from the toilet instead of struggling to get up and being at risk of falling.</li> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Aids like Zimmer frames, walking sticks and crutches can help you day to day walking around, but they will also help you not to fall or trip over.</li> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Exercise programmes: Having an adequate exercise programme will help you to gain and maintain strength in your arms and hands, by using hand weights, this will benefit you as you will be able to grip on to objects like barriers and walking sticks more firmly, which will then prevent you from having a fall. It will give your more confidence and put your mind at ease knowing you can prevent yourself from falling</li> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Ensure there are no objects left on the floor that will cause you to trip over anything.</li> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Hold on to the rails on both sides when walking up and down the stairs</li> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Make sure lighting is in good condition, especially at the top and bottom of stairs, doorways, in the bathroom. Ensure that lighting is available at all times, e.g.; perhaps when getting up in the middle of the night.</li> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Avoid wearing loose clothing and footwear, it is easy to get loose clothing trapped round a door handle or at the end of the stair railing.</li> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Insert non-slip matts in the bathroom, outside of the bath tub, inside the bath or shower, near the sink and toilet.</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:96 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/why-falls-are-so-important-to-the-community-hospitals-care-homes Why Falls are so important to the Community, Hospitals & Care Homes <h1><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/ant11-PoseyFalls-750x300.jpg" alt="" width="750" height="300" /></h1> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Falls and fall related injuries are a real danger&hellip; falls are the largest cause of emergency hospital admissions for older people. Hip fractures, are the most common serious injury resulting from a fall.</p> <p><strong><em>Did you know??</em></strong></p> <ul> <li>30% of people aged 65 or over living in the community fall each year.</li> <li>Over 150,000 falls in England and Wales in acute hospitals.</li> <li>Over 28,000 falls in mental health units.</li> <li>Victims of falls over ages 65 occupy hospital beds for a total of more than 4 million days a year in England, at an estimated cost of over &pound;2billion.</li> <li>Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brand injury (TBI) which accounts for 46% of fatal falls among older people.</li> <li>The incidence of falls in hospitalised patients ranges from 1.4 &ndash; 18.2 falls per 1000 days.</li> <li>2 &ndash; 9% result in serious injury including fractures, subdural haematomas or even death.</li> <li>Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries among older adults.</li> </ul> <p>Due to the ageing population, falls are the biggest cost to the health and social care system and this is on the increase as people live longer.</p> <p><strong><em>Common reasons for falls in the elderly&hellip;</em></strong></p> <ul> <li>Gait or balance deficits.</li> <li>Incorrect footwear.</li> <li>Patients/ residents who take four or more drugs, or use sedatives.</li> <li>Those with reduced visual activity.</li> <li>Loss of hearing, neuropathy, functional impairment, changes in mental status.</li> <li>Prolonged length of hospital stay.</li> <li>Poor communication between staff, patient and family.</li> <li>Environmental factors such as tables, chairs, incorrectly positioned.</li> </ul> <p>These statistics and facts confirm that every healthcare environment needs a fall prevention practice in place to reduce the number of falls. Hospital staff, carers and family need to be educated on the importance of prevention fall related risks. Everyone needs to be engaged in the commitment to reducing falls.</p> <p>At Repton Medical, fall management forms part of our Patient Safety product portfolio. We are here to help serve the community with our products and training to make a large positive impact on hospitals, healthcare settings and care homes. To see our full range of fall prevention products please click this link.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:95 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/world-diabetes-day-2016 World Diabetes Day 2016 <p><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/world-diabetes-day.png" alt="" width="280" height="300" /></p> <p>At the beginning of this week the world came together to raise awareness for <strong>diabete</strong>s. The global campaign is led by the <strong>International Diabetes Federation (IDF)</strong>, with many activities taking place all around the world. Millions of people shared their experiences with diabetes and explained what it&rsquo;s really like to live with the condition. <strong>World Diabetes Day</strong> focussed on talking about the complications diabetes can lead to and how to avoid them.</p> <p>Every two minutes someone learns they have diabetes and in the UK, it leads to 65 early deaths every single day. It is a serious disease the can cause blindness, kidney disease and circulation issues. Every week there are more than 1400 cases of heart failure, 540 strokes and 140 lower limb amputations caused by the diabetes.</p> <p>Diabetes is a common life-long health condition. Currently 415 million adults worldwide are diagnosed with diabetes and by 2040 this is estimated to increase to 640 million adults. One of the most challenging aspects of this forecasted statistic is that 1 in 2 adults with diabetes is undiagnosed as most of these cases are <strong>Type 2 Diabetes</strong>.</p> <p><em>Symptoms of diabetes include:</em></p> <ul> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Excessive thirst</li> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Weight loss</li> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Frequent urination</li> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Lack of energy</li> <li>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Blurred vision</li> </ul> <p>Therefore, if you believe you are currently experiencing any of these symptoms please make an appointment to see your doctor for tests. Screening for Type 2 diabetes is important to ensure early diagnosis and treatment. <strong>Act today to change tomorrow!</strong></p> <p>When diagnosed with diabetes it is crucial to understand how to manage the disease to help avoid developing complications now and in the future. This year the campaign is not only wanting to raise awareness of the facts, but raise awareness of how to manage your diabetes to prevent complications and how the IDF can support you in doing this.</p> <p>Managing your diabetes, making changes and fitting the demands of diabetes into your lifestyle can become challenging at times. You will receive regular healthcare team support to help you in self-managing your diabetes however the most important person in the team is you. Every decision you make will impact the disease meaning you must take responsibly in managing your diabetes effectively.</p> <p>The theme of World Diabetes Day 2016 is <strong>Eyes</strong>. Diabetes can affect your eyes in a number of ways. The most serious eye condition related to Diabetes is diabetic <strong>retinopathy</strong>.Early diagnosis is vital. Most sight-threatening diabetic problems can be managed if treatment is carried out early enough. Looking after your Diabetes and regular retinal screening can help to reduce your risk of developing the eye conditions related to Diabetes.</p> <p>There are several ways in which you can support your health with diabetes. At Repton Medical we supply a specialist sock which has been proven to help people with diabetes keep their feet warm. Our <strong>Diabetic Sock</strong> enhances blood flow, increases the speed of circulation and raises body temperature. The Nano-Scale and infrared technology keeps your vulnerable feet protected. To find out more information on these socks please visit <strong><a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/diabetic-socks">http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/diabetic-socks</a></strong>.</p> <p><strong><em>Did you know? &hellip;</em></strong> World Diabetes Day is celebrated on the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting who first discovered insulin in 1921&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:94 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/rsi-hand-therapy-solutions RSI Hand Therapy Solutions <h3><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="/Images/uploaded/6562-2-200x200.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="200" /></h3> <h3>What is Repetitive Strain Injury?</h3> <p><br />Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is condition used to describe pain felt in muscles, tendons &amp; nerves. Also known as work-related upper limb disorder, or non-specific upper limb pain. RSI often occurs in the upper body such as the arms, hands, wrists and elbows where there is repetitive movement and overuse. It Is usually related to a task or occupation where heavy hand or arm motions are frequently repeated which causes repetitive strain. In recent years it is computer operators, typists, musicians and people doing repetitive tasks in factories who most commonly develop RSI.</p> <h3><br />What causes RSI and the symptoms&hellip;</h3> <p><br />The precise reason why RSI develops is still unclear, as in many cases there is no swelling or inflammation. Some people develop RSI and not others who do the same repetitive task and this may be because stress increases muscle tension and/or affects how the body feels pain in general. Symptoms of RSI can range from mild to severe and they often include:</p> <p><br />&bull; Pain, aching or tenderness<br />&bull; Stiffness<br />&bull; Throbbing<br />&bull; Tingling or numbness<br />&bull; Weakness<br />&bull; Cramp</p> <p><br />At first, the symptoms may only occur whilst you&rsquo;re carrying out a particular repetitive action, but RSI does tend to develop gradually. Symptoms can become worse over time when doing the repetitive task. Without treatment, the symptoms of RSI may eventually become constant and cause longer periods of pain. Swelling may start to occur in the affected area, which can last several months.</p> <h3><br />Treating RSI&hellip;</h3> <p><br />As soon as you believe a problem may be RSI book an appointment to see your doctor. Earlier the problem is recognised and dealt with, the better the outcome.</p> <p><br />A doctor may advise various things such as:</p> <p><br />&bull; Stop or reduce the tasks or activities which seem to be causing the symptoms. This may involve a change in task, or changes to your work environment where possible. <br />&bull; Look into practical ways of adjusting your work set-up to reduce strain.<br />&bull; Anti-inflammatory medicines are usually recommended or simple painkillers such as paracetamol work just as well to numb the pain. <br />&bull; Referral to a physiotherapist who can give you advice to help with posture and how to strengthen or relax the muscles involved. <br />&bull; Regular exercise to increase relaxation such as swimming is useful in easing symptoms.<br />Hand Therapy Solutions&hellip;</p> <p><br />At Repton Medical we supply a range of Hand Therapy solutions which will help to aid the RSI recovery process alongside hand contracture and preventing skin breakdown. These hand cushions are a practical and economical product to act as a comfort and/or diversionary device. They conform to the hand&rsquo;s natural shape to give users optimal comfort and something to grip as a distraction product for tactile stimulation.</p> <p><br />To see our full range of hand therapy solutions please click <strong><a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/hand-therapy">here</a></strong>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:93 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/the-myths-about-alzheimers The Myths about Alzheimer’s <p><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/dementia4.jpg" alt="" width="340" height="252" /></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">It&nbsp;is <strong>World Alzheimer&rsquo;s Day</strong> and whilst Alzheimer&rsquo;s is one of the most common diseases&nbsp;in the UK, people still don&rsquo;t fully understand&nbsp;what&nbsp;it is. We are going to debunk 10 of the most notorious myths surrounding Alzheimer&rsquo;s and Dementia.</span></p> <ol> <li><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </strong><strong>Probably the most common myth is that only the elderly can get Alzheimer&rsquo;s.</strong></span></li> </ol> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This is absolutely false, because of these misconceptions regarding age and Alzheimer&rsquo;s, many people miss their diagnosis of the disease. Alzheimer&rsquo;s has affected people in their 20&rsquo;s and this is known as &lsquo;Early Onset Alzheimer&rsquo;s&rsquo;. This can be caused of a number of factors such as: stress, menopause, or depression in younger people and possibly even underlying brain injuries.</span></p> <ol start="2"> <li><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Memory Loss is a part of aging. </strong></span></li> </ol> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Memory loss for the most part is not about growing old. As we age it is expected that we have a little memory loss, such as forgetting to pick up a newspaper from the shop on your way home. However serious memory loss is usually attributed to Alzheimer&rsquo;s. Serious memory loss could be; forgetting newly learned information, important dates and consistently asking the same questions over and over again. Memory loss can be a serious symptom of Alzheimer&rsquo;s and can leave people feeling disorientated, confused and scared.</span></p> <ol start="3"> <li><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </strong><strong>People living with Dementia and Alzheimer&rsquo;s can&rsquo;t have fun or function. </strong></span></li> </ol> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This is certainly not true, many people who live with Alzheimer&rsquo;s can still have fun packed activities. Although Alzheimer&rsquo;s affects the memory progressively, people living with Alzheimer&rsquo;s still have feelings and their emotional memory will stay with them a lot longer than their physical memory. It&rsquo;s always important to make sure someone living with dementia is happy, loved and feels safe. They may forget all the activities you did with them at the end of the day<strong>, but they will remember how you made them feel</strong>.</span></p> <ol start="4"> <li><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </strong><strong>Dementia and Alzheimer&rsquo;s are the same thing. </strong></span></li> </ol> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dementia is not a disease; it is an umbrella term used to refer to a group of symptoms that can be caused by multiple brain diseases. Alzheimer&rsquo;s although is not the only form of dementia it is actually the most common. It is reported that 60-80% of all Dementia cases are Alzheimer&rsquo;s. Another huge difference between Alzheimer&rsquo;s and Dementia is that, Alzheimer&rsquo;s is a degenerative brain disease which is irreversible and there is no cure for. However, some types of Dementia, depending on the cause and the symptoms can be treated and sometimes reversible.</span></p> <ol start="5"> <li><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </strong><strong>Alzheimer&rsquo;s doesn&rsquo;t lead to death.</strong></span></li> </ol> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Many people wish to believe that Alzheimer&rsquo;s does not lead to death. As Alzheimer&rsquo;s is a degenerative brain disease, which slowly destroys brain cells which enable people to speak, move and even eat. The main cause of death from Alzheimer&rsquo;s, is breathing problems and trouble swallowing, which could lead the pneumonia.</span></p> <ol start="6"> <li><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </strong><strong>Alzheimer&rsquo;s is caused by aluminium, silver fillings, aspartame and even the flu injection. </strong></span></li> </ol> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">All false, Alzheimer&rsquo;s has no direct link to any of these things. Having important health vaccinations actually boost health and lower the risk. Scientists don&rsquo;t know exactly what causes the disease, however they do say that it could be a mix of lifestyle choices, environments and genes. Other diseases such as diabetes and heart disease has also been known to be linked the Alzheimer&rsquo;s.</span></p> <ol start="7"> <li><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </strong><strong>Alzheimer&rsquo;s is passed on through genetics.<img style="float: right;" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/elderly1.jpg" alt="" width="192" height="142" /> </strong></span></li> </ol> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Although some genetics is believed to play a role in the disease, it is only found in a very small percentage of cases and usually this is because of one type of gene usually found in people living with &ldquo;Early onset familial Alzheimer disease (eFAD)&rdquo;. This means that people who are descendants of someone who lives with eFAD, may have one single mutated gene which has been copied from one parent and inherited. Other types of Alzheimer&rsquo;s and dementia have not been proven to be directly linked with genetics.</span></p> <ol start="8"> <li><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </strong><strong>People living with Dementia/ Alzheimer&rsquo;s are aggressive and</strong> <strong>violent.</strong></span></li> </ol> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Whilst there have been many news stories and portrayals in the media surrounding people living with Alzheimer&rsquo;s becoming violent and aggressive, this is not always true. Not everyone who has Alzheimer&rsquo;s will become aggressive and it usually depends on the person&rsquo;s past. If you had a gentleman who had been in WWII and then had gone on to become a boxer, he may lash out with some violent tendencies. However, there will usually be a reason for this. By changing the way that we communicate and act around that person you may be able to prevent any violent tendencies. It is important to always remember that the person living with Alzheimer&rsquo;s may feel scared or frustrated because of memory loss and other symptoms. It is always important to remember to treat each individual with respect, they still have feelings and treating them as if they are a child will not help in any aggressive situation.</span></p> <ol start="9"> <li><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </strong><strong>Alzheimer&rsquo;s is preventable. </strong></span></li> </ol> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Many studies have been done on whether vitamins, memory boosters and other medicines will help prevent Alzheimer&rsquo;s in later life. There is no treatment that can prevent Alzheimer&rsquo;s, however experts do say that lifestyle choices could possibly help reduce the risk of developing the disease. These lifestyle choices include: Eating healthy, staying active physically and mentally, reducing stress, monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar level.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</strong> 10.<strong>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Alzheimer&rsquo;s is a new disease.<img style="float: right;" src="/Images/uploaded/alois-alzheimer.jpg" alt="" width="166" height="205" /></strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The first discovery of Alzheimer&rsquo;s was made in 1906 by German Physician Dr. Alois&nbsp;Alzheimer, he studied a woman called Auguste&nbsp;D. Auguste was found to have profound memory loss, unfounded suspicions about her&nbsp;family, and other worsening psychological changes. Alzheimer&rsquo;s has taken a back seat to most of the other worldwide diseases in recent years and therefore, knowledge of the disease has not been widely spread. As we are living in aging generation, where people are living longer, there are more and more cases every year.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>To support Alzheimer&rsquo;s and the development of research regarding the disease, please visit:</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>www.alzheimers.org.uk/</strong></span></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:92 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/10-early-signs-of-dementia 10 Early Signs of Dementia <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/dementia6.jpg" alt="" width="520" height="385" /></p> <p>Recently our team at <strong>Repton Medical</strong>, all became Dementia friends. We attended an information session which gave us a deeper understanding of how people living with dementia feel and cope with day to day life. We learnt to see the person and not the disease. There is surplus information available based around dementia such as on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/" target="_blank">Alzheimer's Society website</a>. We decided to put together a list from a number of sources of how to spot the early signs of dementia.&nbsp;<strong><br /></strong></p> <p><strong>How can we spot the early signs of Dementia?</strong></p> <p>Dementia affects 1 in 20 people over the age of 65 and 1 in 5 over the age of 80. Yet not many people are aware of the signs and symptoms of dementia. It is important to remember that dementia is <strong>not a natural</strong> part of aging and anyone can be diagnosed at any age. Alzheimer&rsquo;s is the most common cause of dementia and accounts for up to 50-60% of diagnosed cases.&nbsp;</p> <p>The most confusing fact of all is that Dementia itself is not actually a disease; it is in fact a cluster of symptoms caused by various other diseases of the brain. It can be caused by many things which have invoked a form of brain damage such as from injury or stroke, and other diseases such as Huntington&rsquo;s.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>The 10 signs or symptoms of dementia are:</strong></p> <p><strong>1. Memory Loss &ndash;</strong><br />Most commonly associated with Dementia although; if this is the only symptom that the patient has then it is quite possible that memory loss is due from other issues and not dementia. Dementia patients suffering from memory loss often find recalling recent events very difficult. You will find they often ask for the same information repeatedly and struggle to remember names, events/dates and recently learned information.</p> <p><strong>2. Difficulty with planning or problem solving &ndash;</strong> <br />Following a plan or working with numbers could become more difficult. Just keeping track of bills or even following a simple recipe could become a very hard task for the dementia patient and learning new things may also become increasingly more difficult to understand.</p> <p><strong>3. Confusion with dates, times or a place &ndash;</strong> <br />People with Alzheimer&rsquo;s and dementia may often be confused as to what date it is, albeit the month, year or even decade. They can sometimes feel confused as to where they are and why they are there.</p> <p><strong>4. Issues with vision and understanding distances -</strong> <br />Issues with vision and seeing differences in colour contrasts is often a problem which is why many experts suggest using bright bold simple colours to mark different objects and spaces. The person may also have difficulty reading and judging a spatial distance which could lead to difficulties whilst driving.</p> <p><strong>5. Words: speaking and writing &ndash;</strong> <br />You may start to notice that the person has trouble following or joining conversation, they could quite often stop mid conversation and would struggle to carry on or would start to repeat what they was saying. Using the &lsquo;correct&rsquo; words will become increasingly difficult as they start to call objects by other names such as calling a &lsquo;watch&rsquo; a &lsquo;hand-clock&rsquo;</p> <p><strong>6. Changes in personality and mood &ndash;</strong> <br />Quite often a person with dementia may change in personality; this is often the case with people who tend to be quiet or reserved; as the condition causes a person to &lsquo;lose&rsquo; inhibition making them more outgoing. Mood swings could possibly happen often.</p> <p><strong>7. A decrease in judgement or decision making &ndash;</strong> <br />This in affect is what causes dementia patients to be vulnerable; they may be more willing to give money to telemarketers, friends and family who are able to take advantage of them. There are many services that are available to combat this. A decrease in judgement could also affect the personal hygiene; less attention will be paid to personal grooming or they may become more reluctant to be helped whilst being washed.</p> <p><strong>8. Less interest or complete removal in hobbies, sports and routine activities</strong><br />A person with dementia may feel less interested in hobbies, sports and anything social as they will find keeping active and concentrating with conversation and tasks a lot harder. Changes in their personality could also affect this. They may find that activities started later in life will be less interesting compared to activities they did or followed at a younger age.</p> <p><strong>9. Depression &ndash;</strong> <br />Depression often walks hand in hand with dementia, as the person decreases in health they could begin to feel confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. Especially as they become more dependant for day to day routines/ activities. Any change could make them feel out of their comfort zone, especially something that affects their daily routine.</p> <p><strong>10. Repeating tasks &ndash;</strong> <br />Symptoms such as memory loss and behavioural change may affect the daily tasks that the person with dementia undergoes. They may start to repeat tasks such as brushing teeth, taking medication, and shaving and could also start collecting items obsessively.</p> <p><br />Keeping an eye out for any of these symptoms is easier said than done as sometimes our loved one could try to hide them from us. However some of these signs and symptoms can also come from ageing. Always ask a doctors advice if there is a serious concern. Make sure you read as much information as you can to understand <strong>Alzheimer&rsquo;s and dementia</strong> as the research is rapidly evolving.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Sources:&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=260">https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=260</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/dementia-guide/Pages/dementia-choices.aspx">http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/dementia-guide/Pages/dementia-choices.aspx</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:91 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/new-to-the-uk-repton-medical-diabetic-sock New To The UK: Repton Medical Diabetic Sock <p><strong><img class="size-medium wp-image-1385 alignleft" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="http://reptonhealthcare.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/white-and-black1-300x300.jpg" alt="white and black1" width="262" height="262" /></strong></p> <p><strong>Diabetes affects 1 in 16 people within the UK</strong>, that&rsquo;s an estimated four million people living with diabetes. Diabetes is commonly associated with foot health related problems, in medical terms; diabetes affects the circulation by causing arteries to become &lsquo;furred up&rsquo; (atherosclerosis). This can affect the major blood vessels, specifically the ones associated with the feet, causing the feet to feel cold, lose sensation and develop cuts or sores (Diabetes UK).</p> <p>It&rsquo;s imperative that people with diabetes get&nbsp;<strong>yearly checks</strong>&nbsp;on many things, but the most important checks would be:<br />&bull; Blood glucose level<br />&bull; Blood pressure measurement<br />&bull; Blood fats (Cholesterol and Triglycerides)<br />&bull; Eye screenings for retinopathy</p> <p>If checks such as these aren&rsquo;t routinely carried out, then there can be serious side effects on the body. One major check that should be done every day (by the diabetic) should be a check of the feet; because diabetes can cause damage to the nerves which carry pain sensation from the feet to the brain, feet often become numb. This could mean that if there are any cuts, bruises or infections they may spread and in a worst case scenario can eventually lead to ulcers and then eventually amputation.</p> <p>To help prevent such things developing, we have sourced a specialist pair of socks, aptly named&nbsp;<strong>The Diabetic Sock</strong>&nbsp;which comes in two colours; black or white. The sock is made from a triple function Lycra yarn which is interwoven with a Nano-scale material made from precious metals imported from Germany (Germanium and Titanium).&nbsp;<strong>The Nano technology</strong>&nbsp;is designed to stay in place even after washing.</p> <p>Unlike the standard 7cm narrow opening, our sock is designed with an elastic 10cm Lycra wide-opening which does not constrict feet. This is an important feature as diabetes can often cause swelling of the feet/ ankles and legs (oedema), which means narrow seamed socks can often cause more problems. Our socks are also designed with heel reinforcement and the weaving is ergonomically designed with a strong covering which helps to&nbsp;<a href="http://reptonhealthcare.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/black1.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1384 alignright" style="float: right;" src="http://reptonhealthcare.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/black1-300x300.jpg" alt="black1" width="300" height="300" /></a>prevent slippage.</p> <p><strong>The unique mesh design</strong>&nbsp;of the sock means it is breathable and is able to keep the foot dry and comfortable, protecting the skin from bacterial infections such as Athlete's foot. The most important feature of the sock is that it is proven to increase the blood flow for the wearer, meaning blood from the capillaries returns more rapidly to the heart which in turn reduces the overall workload of the heart.<br />The sock is scientifically proven to enhance blood flow by 42.98% and increase the speed of circulation by 52.36%. This raises overall body temperature by 1.3 degrees.</p> <p><strong>For information visit our website:</strong></p> <p>http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/diabetic-socks</p> <p><strong>Reference:</strong><br />Diabetes UK - https://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Complications/Feet/What-is-the-science-behind-how-diabetes-affects-your-feet/</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:90 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/its-world-breast-feeding-week It’s World Breast Feeding Week! <p><strong><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/mamasafe.jpg" alt="Mamasafe" width="500" height="320" /></strong></p> <p><strong>Breastfeeding is the most natural and normal thing to do within the early stages of a child&rsquo;s life.</strong> However, many people in this society have put a stigma on the act, especially if it is shown in public. World Breast Feeding week is trying to fight against that by normalising the act and encouraging women to change the social stigma placed on breast feeding.</p> <p><br />The stigmas have become so negative towards mothers in some countries that as they try to feed their child in a public space such as a caf&eacute;/ restaurant they have been ejected. For 2016 this is a travesty, changing the public&rsquo;s mind on breastfeeding will not be an easy task. However, the organisers of The World Breast Feeding have been slowly changing these perceptions over the last 25 years.</p> <p><br /><em>&ldquo;Breastfeeding gives children the best start in life, as breast milk provides immunological protection and critical nutrients for brain development. These benefits hold true for all children, whether they&rsquo;re born in high- or low-income countries or to families that are rich or poor,&rdquo; said Dr Carissa Etienne, Director of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO)</em></p> <p><br />Whilst promoting breastfeeding and expressing the positive benefits of the process, it is sometimes forgotten that breastfeeding isn&rsquo;t always as easy as the experts say it is. At <strong>Mamasafe</strong> we know that continuously feeding your child can cause sore nipples and the formation of open cracks and inflammation. When this happens it can be very difficult for the wounds to heal, especially if your baby needs a feed every few hours.</p> <p><br />Sore nipples are a common problem and can sometimes lead to a mother discontinuing her breastfeeding routine as the pain starts to become unbearable. As it is proven that breastfeeding is the most effective protective measure in regards to the health of a child; we wanted to create a product that would help mothers protect their child whilst also protecting themselves from any pain caused naturally through the process of breastfeeding.</p> <p><br />The nipple protector rings are based on the model of a circular home-made protection known as the &lsquo;Viennese Donut&rsquo;, which enhances air circulation around the nipples. The rings are made from breathable and absorbent materials that are gentle on the skin, they protect the nipple from adhesive bonding with clothes allowing air to circulate freely and ensuring the healing process is much more comfortable.</p> <p><br /><strong>For more Information, please visit our website:</strong><br /><strong><a href="http://www.mamasafe.co.uk">www.mamasafe.co.uk</a></strong></p> <p><strong>Or read all about our Mamasafe product in the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.infantgrapevine.co.uk/viewer/grapevine/113/flipviewerxpress.html">Infant Grapevine April 2016 edtion</a>&nbsp;</strong></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:14 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/dementia-awareness-week-2016 Dementia Awareness Week 2016 <p><img class="img img-responsive" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/gqbcxm.jpg" alt="Dear Dementia" /></p> <p>Dementia is a progressive disease that leads to&nbsp;<strong>memory loss, confusion and communication problems.</strong>&nbsp;It can be confusing for not only the dementia sufferer but also their family and friends. To increase awareness of the disease, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/"><strong>Alzheimer&rsquo;s Society</strong></a>&nbsp;has created an annual Dementia Awareness Week which takes place this week<strong>.</strong></p> <p>This awareness event intends to help sufferers and their families who are affected by dementia by providing support and advice. There are many things that are done to participate in the awareness week, for example taking part in memory walks, holding events or displaying awareness posters. Also, throughout the week there is national and regional press coverage, awareness-raising and fundraising events across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and a national advertising campaign.</p> <p>Each day this week we will share one of our dementia related blogs to offer help and information for people with dementia or friends and family affected. You can access many of our other blogs by visiting our&nbsp;<a href="http://www.reptonhealthcare.co.uk/"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">website</span></strong></a>&nbsp;here.</p> <p>If this awareness week has made you worried that you or a loved one might have dementia, call the&nbsp;<strong>National Dementia Helpline</strong>&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="tel:+44300%20222%201122"><strong>0300 222 1122</strong></a>&nbsp;or email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:helpline@alzheimers.org.uk"><strong>helpline@alzheimers.org.uk</strong></a><strong>&nbsp;</strong>for advice or support.</p> <p>One of the biggest problems associated with dementia are falls. At Repton Healthcare we are actively promoting our&nbsp;<strong>high quality care solutions</strong>&nbsp;for people with long term conditions, the elderly and sufferers of dementia. To view our&nbsp;<strong>full range of falls products</strong>&nbsp;visit our&nbsp;<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Falls Prevention</span>&nbsp;</strong>page on our website.</p> <p><strong>If you are doing anything to help raise money for Dementia Awareness Week, let us know in the comments box below.</strong></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:67 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/eu-goals-on-fall-prevention EU Goals on Fall Prevention <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/falls10.jpg" alt="Around 35% of over 65&rsquo;s will fall in the space of a year, and that figure rises rapidly to approximately 50% for those aged 80 and over. Falls can happen to anyone regardless of age or medical condition. Many falls are caused by a mixture of factors such as slips and trips, reduced mobility, age or being on medication. At Repton Medical we pride ourselves on research and our commitment to patient safety. We continue to conduct medical research and provide education within healthcare markets. We listen and cooperate with the EU, industry, institutions and healthcare professionals to ensure better practice for the safety of patients and staff alike. The European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Aging is a collaboration of EU, regions, industry, research institutions and healthcare professionals, to improve the quality of life for older people. Below are their 4 key objectives to reach their ultimate goal, which is to increase the average healthy lifespan of EU citizens by 2 years by the year 2020: Implement a united and person-centred service for fall prevention and management. This includes a range of falls prevention programmes along with sourcing tools and technologies for monitoring, screening and assessing patients. Data and evidence to be collected on approaches to gathering data on falls. This will outline the best practices and recommendations for the future. Awareness, information and education including a dedicated website and campaign across the EU dedicated to falls prevention and management. In addition, an inventory of successful public health and social marketing strategies based on training models and tools. Also, an education package to support the training of the workforce. Innovative and sustainable assessment models for governance. This includes a platform and market place for fall prevention services and products. Repton Medical work closely with health care professionals throughout the UK and aim to continually support the NHS to reduce falls with our fall prevention products and training. We are always looking for new innovations in the market and researching potential improvements for our existing fall prevention products. Repton Medical aim to provide solutions and strategies for preventing falls, helping you to save money and ultimately lives! For more information contact us at marketing@reptonmedical.co.uk or visit our website to see our full range of Fall Prevention products." width="520" height="385" /></p> <p>Around&nbsp;<strong>35% of over 65&rsquo;s will fall in the space of a year</strong>, and that figure rises rapidly to approximately 50% for those aged 80 and over. Falls can happen to anyone regardless of age or medical condition. Many falls are caused by a mixture of factors such as slips and trips, reduced mobility, age or being on medication.</p> <p>At&nbsp;<strong>Repton Medical</strong>&nbsp;we pride ourselves on research and our commitment to patient safety. We continue to conduct medical research and provide education within healthcare markets. We listen and cooperate with the EU, industry, institutions and healthcare professionals to ensure better practice for the safety of patients and staff alike.</p> <p><strong>The</strong>&nbsp;<strong>European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Aging&nbsp;</strong>is a collaboration of EU, regions, industry, research institutions and healthcare professionals, to improve the quality of life for older people. Below are their&nbsp;<strong>4 key objectives</strong>&nbsp;to reach their ultimate goal, which is to increase the average healthy lifespan of EU citizens by 2 years by the year 2020:</p> <ol> <li><strong>Implement a united and person-centred service for fall prevention and management.&nbsp;</strong>This includes a range of falls prevention programmes along with sourcing tools and technologies for monitoring, screening and assessing patients.</li> <li><strong>Data and evidence to be collected on approaches to gathering data on falls.</strong>This will outline the best practices and recommendations for the future.</li> <li><strong>Awareness, information and education including a dedicated website and campaign across the EU dedicated to falls prevention and management.&nbsp;</strong>In addition, an inventory of successful public health and social marketing strategies based on training models and tools. Also, an education package to support the training of the workforce.</li> <li><strong>Innovative and sustainable assessment models for governance.&nbsp;</strong>This includes a platform and market place for fall prevention services and products.</li> </ol> <p>Repton Medical work closely with health care professionals throughout the UK and aim to continually support the NHS to reduce falls with our&nbsp;<strong>fall prevention products</strong><strong>&nbsp;</strong>and<strong>training</strong>. We are always looking for new innovations in the market and researching potential improvements for our existing fall prevention products.&nbsp; Repton Medical aim to provide solutions and strategies for preventing falls, helping you to save money and ultimately lives!</p> <p>For more information contact us at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:marketing@reptonmedical.co.uk"><strong>marketing@reptonmedical.co.uk</strong></a>&nbsp;or visit our website to see our&nbsp;<a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/product-category/fall-protection-prevention-elderly-care/">full range of&nbsp;<strong>Fall Prevention products</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:13 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/world-health-day-2016 World Health Day 2016 <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/Logo-WHO-300x120.jpg" alt="World Health Organization Logo" width="300" height="120" /></p> <p>Today,&nbsp;<strong>Thursday 7<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;April 2016</strong>&nbsp;is&nbsp;<strong>World Health Day</strong>&nbsp;which is a global health awareness day celebrated every year under the sponsorship of the&nbsp;<strong>World Health Organisation (WHO)</strong>. This year,&nbsp;<strong>World Health Day</strong>&nbsp;is dedicated to raising awareness of&nbsp;<strong>diabetes</strong>&nbsp;in the hope that we can finally beat it.</p> <p>Around the world, it is estimated that&nbsp;<strong>347 million</strong>&nbsp;people suffer from diabetes and the prevalence is growing, particularly in low and middle income countries. The WHO projects that by&nbsp;<strong>2030</strong>, diabetes will be the seventh leading cause of death in the world as the disease caused&nbsp;<strong>1.5 million deaths</strong>&nbsp;in 2012.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>What is Diabetes?</h2> <p>Diabetes is a lifelong chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar and gives us the energy that we need to live. If insulin cannot get into the cells to be burned as energy, sugar builds up to harmful levels in the blood, which can lead to hyperglycemia (too much blood sugar) or hypoglycemia (too low sugar in the blood). This can cause major complications in the body including heart attacks, strokes, nerve damage, kidney failure, blindness, impotence and infections that may lead to amputation. This is particularly prevalent in those with high blood sugar levels.</p> <p>There are two main forms of diabetes Type 1 and Type 2. People with Type 1 diabetes typically make none of their own insulin and therefore require insulin injections to survive. People with Type 2 diabetes usually produce their own insulin, but not enough or they are unable to use it properly. Type 2 diabetes sufferers are typically overweight and sedentary which raise the needs for insulin.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>World Health Day 2016: Key Messages</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ol> <li>The diabetes epidemic is rapidly increasing in many countries, with the documented increase most dramatic in low- and middle-income countries.</li> </ol> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ol start="2"> <li>A large proportion of diabetes cases are preventable. Simple lifestyle measures have been shown to be effective in preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes. Maintaining normal body weight, engaging in regular physical activity, and eating a healthy diet can reduce the risk of diabetes.</li> </ol> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ol start="3"> <li>Diabetes is treatable. Diabetes can be controlled and managed to prevent complications. Increasing access to diagnosis, self-management education and affordable treatment are vital components of the response.</li> </ol> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ol start="4"> <li>Efforts to prevent and treat diabetes will be important to achieve the global Sustainable Development Goal 3 target of reducing premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) by one-third by 2030. Many sectors of society have a role to play, including governments, employers, educators, manufacturers, civil society, private sector, the media and individuals themselves.</li> </ol> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>World Health Day 2016 Diabetes Campaign Goals:</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ol> <li>Increase awareness about the rise in diabetes, and its staggering burden and consequences, in particular in low-and middle-income countries;</li> </ol> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ol start="2"> <li>Trigger a set of specific, effective and affordable actions to tackle diabetes. These will include steps to prevent diabetes and diagnose, treat and care for people with diabetes; and</li> </ol> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ol start="3"> <li>Launch the first Global report on diabetes, which will describe the burden and consequences of diabetes and advocate for stronger health systems to ensure improved surveillance, enhanced prevention, and more effective management of diabetes.</li> </ol> <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/ghrrgr.jpg" alt="Diabetes Socks" width="297" height="269" /></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Repton Medical</strong>&nbsp;has recently launched a&nbsp;<strong>NEW</strong>&nbsp;product into the UK healthcare market aimed at people who suffer with diabetes. These specialist&nbsp;<strong>medical diabetes socks</strong>have been proven to help people with diabetes keep their feet warm by nano-scale and infrared technology. Whilst wearing the socks blood flow is fast and brain circulation is good meaning blood in the capillaries returns to the heart rapidly. This results in the workload of the heart being reduced.</p> <p>To find out more information on these diabetes socks please visit our new&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://reptonhealthcare.co.uk/" target="_blank">Repton Healthcare website</a></strong>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/contact-us/" target="_blank">contact us</a></strong>&nbsp;to request a flyer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Information source &ndash; &nbsp;World Health Organisation</em></p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.who.int/campaigns/world-health-day/2016/event/en/">http://www.who.int/campaigns/world-health-day/2016/event/en/</a></strong></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:12 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/how-to-be-health-wise-this-easter How To Be Health-Wise This Easter <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/healthwise.jpg" alt="Healthy Heart" width="520" height="385" /></p> <p>With the four day<strong>&nbsp;Easter</strong>&nbsp;break upon us, many families will be celebrating the event with family, friends and of course lots of chocolate eggs and hot cross buns. We know it is easy for your health to drop off your to-do list but this blog post is going to help you stay<strong>well&nbsp;</strong>and&nbsp;<strong>healthy&nbsp;</strong>over the bank holiday weekend with these four simple steps:</p> <ol> <li>Know when your GP surgery and local pharmacy will be open as their opening hours may be different to normal.</li> </ol><ol start="2"> <li>Make sure you have a point of contact for help and advice when your GP surgery isn&rsquo;t open whether this be a next door neighbour or a health visitor.</li> </ol><ol start="3"> <li>Remember to check your repeat prescriptions and order only what you need to make sure you collect it in plenty of time so you don&rsquo;t run out.</li> </ol><ol start="4"> <li>Ask your pharmacist what basic over the counter remedies you should have in your medicine cabinet at home in case you do unfortunately become ill over the Easter break. It is always better to be over prepared than not at all!</li> </ol> <p>Following these four simple steps will help you to be health-wise this&nbsp;<strong>Easter</strong>&nbsp;whilst also being able to enjoy the Easter celebrations.</p> <p>If you are already feeling the annual guilt of gorging on chocolate, do not fear! There are plenty of&nbsp;<strong>guilt-free</strong>&nbsp;Easter options available that can boost your health and offer a feel-good factor too&hellip;</p> <p><strong>&bull; Embrace the dark side of chocolate &ndash;</strong>&nbsp;Dark Chocolate is not only more filling than milk chocolate but it also decreases cravings for high fat and sugary foods. It has double the amount of antioxidants than milk chocolate whilst also helping to lower your blood pressure.</p> <p><strong>&bull; Stick to a handful &ndash;&nbsp;</strong>Tightly cup your hands together and fill the space you have created with eggs. Don&rsquo;t allow the eggs to reach a height greater than your thumbs. This swill keep your self-esteem and waistline intact!</p> <p><strong>&bull; Join the hunt &ndash;&nbsp;</strong>Get involved with the children and do an Easter egg hunt as it is the perfect opportunity for exercise! The more calories you burn will result in a lower calorie count when the eggs are finally eaten!</p> <p><strong>Repton Medical</strong>&nbsp;hope you have a wonderful and healthy Easter whilst being guilt free about your choices!</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:11 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/2016-posey-global-sales-conference 2016 Posey Global Sales Conference <p><img class="img img-responsive" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/PoseyConf2016/2016POSEY_GSC-Awards_404.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="667" /></p> <p>Last month&nbsp;<strong>Repton Medical</strong>&nbsp;traveled to&nbsp;<strong>San Diego</strong>, California to attend the&nbsp;<strong>2016 Posey Global Sales Conference</strong>. The four day conference involved team building, meetings, product training and an awards ceremony. We are happy to announce that&nbsp;<strong>Repton Medical</strong>&nbsp;was awarded&nbsp;<strong>&ldquo;Largest Growth in Patient Safety and Falls Management&rdquo;&nbsp;</strong>at the ceremony.</p> <p><img class="img img-responsive" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/PoseyConf2016/Award-Blog-287x300.jpg" alt="Posey Award" /></p> <p><em><strong>Here are a few pictures of our time with the Posey global team&hellip;</strong></em></p> <p><em><img class="img img-responsive" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/PoseyConf2016/2016POSEY_GSC-Awards_910.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="667" /></em></p> <p><em><img class="img img-responsive" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/PoseyConf2016/2016POSEY_GSC-Awards_240.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="666" /></em></p> <p><em><img class="img img-responsive" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/PoseyConf2016/2016POSEY_GSC-Awards_002.jpg" alt="" /></em></p> <p><em><img class="img img-responsive" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/PoseyConf2016/2016POSEY_GSC-Awards_005.jpg" alt="" /></em></p> <p>&nbsp;<img class="img img-responsive" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/PoseyConf2016/2016POSEY_GSC-Awards_017.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img class="img img-responsive" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/PoseyConf2016/2016POSEY_GSC-Awards_041.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img class="img img-responsive" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/PoseyConf2016/2016POSEY_GSC-Awards_105.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img class="img img-responsive" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/PoseyConf2016/2016POSEY_GSC-Awards_150.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img class="img img-responsive" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/PoseyConf2016/2016POSEY_GSC-Awards_294.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img class="img img-responsive" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/PoseyConf2016/2016POSEY_GSC-Awards_321.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img class="img img-responsive" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/PoseyConf2016/2016POSEY_GSC-Awards_360.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img class="img img-responsive" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/PoseyConf2016/2016POSEY_GSC-Awards_394.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img class="img img-responsive" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/PoseyConf2016/2016POSEY_GSC-Awards_395.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img class="img img-responsive" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/PoseyConf2016/2016POSEY_GSC-Awards_398.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img class="img img-responsive" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/PoseyConf2016/2016POSEY_GSC-Awards_400.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img class="img img-responsive" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/PoseyConf2016/2016POSEY_GSC-Awards_406.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img class="img img-responsive" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/PoseyConf2016/2016POSEY_GSC-Awards_416.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img class="img img-responsive" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/PoseyConf2016/2016POSEY_GSC-Awards_877.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img class="img img-responsive" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/PoseyConf2016/2016POSEY_GSC-Awards_941.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img class="img img-responsive" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/PoseyConf2016/2016POSEY_GSC-Awards_944.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img class="img img-responsive" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/PoseyConf2016/2016POSEY_GSC-Awards_950.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img class="img img-responsive" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/PoseyConf2016/IMG_0226.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img class="img img-responsive" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/PoseyConf2016/IMG_0233.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img class="img img-responsive" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/PoseyConf2016/IMG_0235.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img class="img img-responsive" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/PoseyConf2016/IMG_0267.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img class="img img-responsive" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/PoseyConf2016/IMG_0286.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img class="img img-responsive" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/PoseyConf2016/4C0A0487.jpg" alt="" /></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:10 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/uk-baby-friendly-accreditation UK Baby Friendly Accreditation <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/unicef.jpg" alt="Baby Friendly Unicef Logo" width="520" height="385" /></p> <p>In recent news,&nbsp;<strong>Unicef UK</strong>&nbsp;has introduced a new opportunity for neonatal units to achieve the&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://www.unicef.org.uk/BabyFriendly/Health-Professionals/going-baby-friendly/">Baby Friendly accreditation</a></strong>!</p> <p>This exciting opportunity has arisen for neonatal units following the receipt of a&nbsp;<strong>grant</strong>&nbsp;to Unicef UK from the&nbsp;<strong>Burdett Trust</strong>. The&nbsp;<strong>&pound;110,000 grant</strong>&nbsp;intended to be used over three years is proposed to empower neonatal nurses with the knowledge and skills to promote breast-feeding/breast milk use, to deliver a transformational cultural shift and to bring parents and nursing staff together to care for the babies.</p> <p>Unicef is looking for&nbsp;<strong>six</strong>&nbsp;enthusiastic and committed neonatal units to lead the way in improving the outcomes for babies and their families. The six successful units will each receive an implementation visit to help introduce the standards and support the development of the action plan. The action plan will includes relevant courses, a comprehensive package of teaching materials for staff training, ongoing telephone support, help with audit and project management and generous support to cover assessment costs. As an outcome, the neonatal units will show commitment to making the changes necessary to implement the standards and to gain the&nbsp;<strong>Unicef UK Baby Friendly accreditation</strong>.</p> <p>Unicef is now taking applications from interested and committed neonatal units, with a view of making a change. They will then select the six to take part in the programme between 2016 and 2019. The application deadline is the&nbsp;<strong>31<sup>st</sup>&nbsp;March 2016</strong>&nbsp;and is only open to UK neonatal units.</p> <p><strong>For more information on this initiative please visit &ndash;</strong><a href="http://www.unicef.org.uk/BabyFriendly/News-and-Research/News/Support-for-neonatal-units-to-achieve-Baby-Friendly-accreditation/">http://www.unicef.org.uk/BabyFriendly/News-and-Research/News/Support-for-neonatal-units-to-achieve-Baby-Friendly-accreditation/</a></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:66 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/protective-footwear-for-bathrooms Protective Footwear for Bathrooms <p><strong><img style="undefined" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/quickdryslippers1.jpg" alt="Protective Footwear for Bathrooms" width="520" height="385" /></strong></p> <p><strong>At Repton Medical, we aim to help you prevent falls and fall related injuries in every environment!</strong></p> <p>Bathrooms are one of the most dangerous rooms in the home for elderly people to fall. Currently,&nbsp;<strong>80%</strong>&nbsp;of falls happen in the bathroom due to the multitude of unforgiving and slippery surfaces. The floor can easily become&nbsp;<strong>wet</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>slippery</strong>, making it easier for falls to happen due to a lack of balance. Getting in and out of the bath or shower is a common time for people to experience a fall.</p> <p><strong>Advice on how to prevent falls in the bathroom:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Use nonslip mats or strips in the bath or shower</li> <li>Install grab bars inside and outside of the bath or shower to help you enter and exit</li> <li>Install grab bars near the toilet for extra support</li> <li>Clean up wet areas and spills as quickly as possible &ndash; Always use a mat to stand on!</li> <li>Use protective aquatic footwear whilst in the bath or shower</li> </ul> <p>Our&nbsp;<strong>Posey Quick Dry Slippers</strong>&nbsp;are for use whilst in the shower and/or bathroom. This is a medical graded product which provides&nbsp;<strong>non-skid protection</strong>&nbsp;against falls when dry. The loose knit fabric allows water to run through whilst the nylon mesh upper dries quickly when we and will not hold water. They are stretchable, soft and latex-free providing comfort and protection.</p> <p>To find out more on our&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/shop/fall-protection-prevention-elderly-care/fall-management/quick-dry-slippers/" target="_blank">Posey Quick Dry Slippers</a></strong>&nbsp;please visit our&nbsp;<strong>website&nbsp;</strong>or contact the&nbsp;<strong>office</strong>&nbsp;for information or samples.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:78 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/poz-in-form-positioning-bedsore-prevention POZ’ IN’ FORM – Positioning & Bedsore Prevention <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/poz1.jpg" alt="POZ&rsquo; IN&rsquo; FORM &ndash; Positioning &amp; Bedsore Prevention" width="520" height="385" /></p> <p>Bedsores are easier to prevent than to treat, and&nbsp;<strong>changing your position is key to preventing pressure sores</strong>. These changes need to be frequent, to avoid stress on the skin, and to minimize the pressure on vulnerable areas. Other strategies include taking good care of your skin, maintaining good nutrition and exercising daily.</p> <p>As correct positioning is crucial, consider these tips below:</p> <p><strong>&bull; Reposition yourself frequently.</strong>Change your body position every 2 hours.</p> <p><strong>&bull; Adjust the elevation of your bed.</strong>If your hospital bed can be elevated at the head, raise it no more than 30 degrees as this helps to prevent shearing.</p> <p><strong>&bull; Use specialised cushions to position your body.</strong></p> <p>Our&nbsp;<strong>NEW</strong>&nbsp;Repton Healthcare product range provides positioning cushions to support and comfort long-term bedridden people. Our&nbsp;<strong>brand new POZ&rsquo; IN&rsquo; FORM&nbsp;</strong>range consists of a bi-elastic fabric with a breathable cover to offer maximum breathability. The filling is made from thin microfiber which perfectly fits the body shape, ensuring optimal pressure distribution and significant reduction in friction and shearing.</p> <p>We offer various forms, sizes and models of the POZ&rsquo; IN&rsquo; FORM which can offer multiple solutions:</p> <p><strong>&nbsp;&bull;&nbsp;</strong>Hand Pressure Relief Cushion</p> <p>&bull; Triangle-Shaped Cushion</p> <p>&bull; Abduction Cushion</p> <p>&bull; Semi-Lateral Positioning Cushion</p> <p>&bull; Pressure Relief Cushion</p> <p>&bull; Heel Cushion</p> <p>&bull; Cylindrical Cushion</p> <p>&bull; Half Ring Cushion</p> <p>&bull; Semi-Fowler Cushion</p> <p>&bull; Ring Cushion</p> <p>&bull; Universal Cushion</p> <p>&bull; 1-Heel Pressure Relief Cushion</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>All cushions come with the option of either a&nbsp;<strong>Pharmatex</strong>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<strong>Lenzing FR&reg;</strong>&nbsp;cover, both are entirely removable and washable.</p> <p>The&nbsp;<strong>Pharmatex</strong>&nbsp;bi-elastic cover is recommended for use in hospitals or within the community. Pharmatex is pleasant to touch and very soft and comfortable on the skin. Its smooth and supple surface is very easy to clean. The&nbsp;<strong>Lenzing FR&reg;&nbsp;</strong>cover is coated with a waterproof and breathable polyurethane film. This allows moisture absorption along with elasticity and flexibility. This cover is particularly suitable for problems regularly observed in classic positioning.</p> <p>For more information on our range of POZ&rsquo; IN&rsquo; FORM positioning cushions, please visit our new healthcare website at&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://www.reptonhealthcare.co.uk/">www.reptonhealthcare.co.uk</a></strong>.&nbsp;Alternatively, please contact our sales team on&nbsp;<strong>01909 724890</strong>&nbsp;or by email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:sales@reptonmedical.co.uk"><strong>sales@reptonmedical.co.uk</strong></a>.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:9 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/news-zika-virus-outbreak News: Zika Virus Outbreak <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/zika-virus1.jpg" alt="Mosquito with Zika Virus" width="520" height="385" /></p> <p>One of the top stories in the&nbsp;<strong>world health</strong>&nbsp;news at the moment is the alarming threats of the&nbsp;<strong>Zika virus</strong>&nbsp;which is likely to spread across Americas. The virus, which causes symptoms including mild fever, conjunctivitis and headaches, has already been found in<strong>21 countries</strong>&nbsp;in the Caribbean, North and South America.</p> <p>One of the biggest concerns is the potential impact on babies developing in the womb. It has been linked to thousands of babies being born with&nbsp;<strong>underdeveloped brains</strong>&nbsp;causing below average head size, growth failure and brain damage. There have been around&nbsp;<strong>3,500 reported cases</strong>&nbsp;of&nbsp;<strong>microcephaly&nbsp;</strong>&ndash; babies born with tiny brains &ndash; in Brazil alone since October 2015. Data suggests that up to one-in-fifty babies had birth defects in one of the worst hit areas- Pernambuco, Brazil. Some countries in Americas have been advised women not to get pregnant as there is no treatment or vaccine available.</p> <p><strong>Zika</strong>&nbsp;was first detected in African monkeys in&nbsp;<strong>1947</strong>&nbsp;and there has since been small, short-lived outbreaks in people on the continent. However, last year the virus spread on a massive scale in Americas, where transmission was first detected in Brazil, May 2015. One of the reasons for the rapid infection spread is due to the large numbers of mosquitoes which carry the virus and a lack of any natural immunity. The virus is transmitted by the bite of&nbsp;<strong><em>Aedes</em></strong>&nbsp;mosquitoes, which are found in all countries in the region except Canada and Chile.&nbsp;<strong>The Pan American Health Organisation</strong>&nbsp;(PAHO) is advising people to protect themselves from the mosquitoes, which also spread&nbsp;<strong>dengue fever</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>chikungunya</strong>.</p> <p>The virus has been issued a global threat as some areas have declared a&nbsp;<strong>state of emergency</strong>&nbsp;and doctors have described it as a pandemic in progress. At the moment there is no treatment available, the only option is to reduce your risk of being bitten. Although there hasn&rsquo;t being a case in the UK yet, it is advised that pregnant women do not travel to the affect areas.</p> <p><strong><em>If living or travelling in the area health officials advise people to:</em></strong></p> <p>&bull; Use insect repellents</p> <p>&bull; Cover up with long-sleeved clothes</p> <p>&bull; Keep windows and doors closed</p> <p>To find out more information on the&nbsp;<strong>Zika virus</strong>&nbsp;please visit the&nbsp;<strong>World Health Organisation</strong>&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-35399403" target="_blank">website</a></strong>.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:40 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/human-protection-clothing Human Protection Clothing <p><strong><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/protection1.jpg" alt="Human Protection Clothing" width="520" height="385" /></strong></p> <p><strong>Did you know??&nbsp;</strong>Hip Fractures are a major public health issue due to an ever increasing ageing population. Now 1 in 3 babies are expected to celebrate their&nbsp;<strong>100<sup>th</sup></strong>&nbsp;birthday which is causing pressures on healthcare and social services. As a result of an&nbsp;<strong>ageing population</strong>, falls are becoming more apparent in elderly care. Victims of falls over the age of 65 occupy hospital beds for more than 4 million days a year in England costing in excess of &pound;26 billion annually. Annual health care costs for treating&nbsp;<strong>falls</strong>&nbsp;in England and Wales are in excess of &pound;15 million per year and rising.</p> <p>Falls are the most common reason that elderly people fracture a hip. Around&nbsp;<strong>70,000 &ndash; 75,000</strong>&nbsp;hip fractures occur every year and costs including medical and social care are around &pound;2billion per year. Studies have shown that&nbsp;<strong>hip protectors</strong>&nbsp;help prevent hip fractures in older people by&nbsp;<strong>reducing the impact of a fall</strong>. Repton Medical supply a wide range of hip protectors for&nbsp;<strong>innerwear&nbsp;</strong>and&nbsp;<strong>outerwear</strong>. Our hipster garments include jogging trousers, shorts and briefs.</p> <p><strong><em>Our hipsters&hellip;</em></strong></p> <p>&bull; Consist of energy absorbing foam pads sewn into poly-cotton-lycra briefs.</p> <p>&bull; The pads are positioned directly over the hip and help reduce the risk of fractures by absorbing the force or impact of a fall.</p> <p>&bull; Hipsters feature soft, low profile foam pads that are virtually undetectable under clothing.</p> <p>&bull; Hips are available in either styles to meet a variety of clinical needs which can help improve patient/resident acceptance and compliance.</p> <p>To see our full range of Posey Hipsters please visit our&nbsp;<a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/product-category/fall-protection-prevention-elderly-care/fall-management/"><strong>website</strong></a>&nbsp;or alternatively call us for<strong>a falls demonstration</strong>.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:39 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/sharetheorange #sharetheorange <p>Dementia is a&nbsp;<strong>global health issue</strong>, affecting&nbsp;<strong>44 million</strong>&nbsp;people worldwide. In the next 20 years, dementia is expected to increase due to a lack of research, treatment and investment.&nbsp;<strong>Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease&nbsp;</strong>is the most common cause of dementia and is one of the biggest global public health challenges facing our generation.</p> <p>Dementia itself is not a disease. It is in fact caused by lots of different diseases and it is not an inevitable part of growing older. While it&rsquo;s true that the majority of people with dementia are over 65, the condition is not a normal part of getting older. The likelihood of developing dementia rises with age but in the UK, over&nbsp;<strong>40,000&nbsp;</strong>people&nbsp;<strong>under 65</strong>&nbsp;have dementia.</p> <p>At the end of 2015, representatives from Alzheimer&rsquo;s organisation from each of the&nbsp;<strong>G8 countries</strong>&nbsp;came together in London for a summit aimed at increasing international cooperation for dementia research and care. The UK has been at the forefront of the movement and has recently launched a national digital campaign&nbsp;<strong>#sharetheorange</strong>.</p> <p><strong>#sharetheorange</strong>&nbsp;campaign is aimed to fight the misunderstandings of dementia. The filmmakers use an orange to show the&nbsp;<strong>physical damage</strong>&nbsp;caused to the brain by diseases such as Alzheimer&rsquo;s. The 90&rdquo; live action shot challenges the general misconceptions around dementia through the peeling and dissecting of an orange- a&nbsp;<strong>metaphor</strong>&nbsp;for how the physical damage caused by diseases means the brain can weigh around&nbsp;<strong>140g</strong>&nbsp;less than a healthy brain.&nbsp;<strong>The same weight as an orange.</strong></p> <p>Alzheimer&rsquo;s Research UK hopes that by urging the public to share the film across social media platforms it will help to raise awareness, increase conversations and create action. It aims to increase the understanding that dementia is caused by physical diseases not just through old age.</p> <p>Please go ahead and share this film about an&nbsp;<a href="http://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/" target="_blank"><strong>orange</strong></a>&nbsp;on your social media channels to help the UK fight this deadly disease. Hopefully one day we will be able to defeat<strong>dementia</strong>.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x9MvEZskR6o?feature=oembed" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:8 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/happy-new-year Happy New Year <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/2016.jpg" alt="2016" width="520" height="255" /></p> <p>Happy New Year to all our customers, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your loyal custom in 2015.&nbsp; Repton Medical has an exciting year ahead and we would like to give you a sneak-peak of what&rsquo;s instore for 2016.</p> <p>Firstly we have a brand new catalogue for 2016 coming very soon! If you would like to pre-order a copy please get in touch with a member of our team by emailing us at marketing@reptonmedical.co.uk. It will provide you with the wide variety of our new patient safety products that we have on offer in our ever expanding product portfolio.</p> <p>Also, new to the community and home care market, Repton Medical has extended its product range to specialise in providing care for the elderly and those in need of long term continuing care. This range of products will be under the name of &lsquo;<em>Repton Healthcare&rsquo;</em>. This subsidiary already has an exciting new website that you can visit at<a href="http://www.reptonhealthcare.co.uk/">www.reptonhealthcare.co.uk</a>. The variety of products under this brand include Fall Prevention, Seating and Positioning, Bed Safety and Rehabilitation.</p> <p>Repton Medical will also continue to be the UK supplier for Posey falls products, which is relevant due to parts of Britain being on a severe weather alert due to heavy snow in the next few weeks. This means we all have to take extra precaution in staying safe and staying warm this winter. Falls and isolation can be a big problem when cold weather hits the country, especially for elderly people. Below are 5 tips for staying safe in these cold conditions:</p> <ul> <li>Stock up on basic food essentials in case the supermarket isn&rsquo;t accessible</li> <li>Keep your home at a minimum temperature of 18&deg; (65&deg;F)</li> <li>Research any financial schemes that can help to pay for your heating</li> <li>Prepare all your warm and sensible clothes</li> <li>Look out for other people who could use your help during the bad weather</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>To help keep your feet healthy and warm Repton Medical offer&nbsp;<a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/shop/fall-protection-prevention-elderly-care/fall-management/non-skid-socks-medium/"><strong>Non-Skid Socks</strong></a>&nbsp;to fight against falls and the health risks associated with being cold. To receive your&nbsp;<strong>free sample</strong>of our&nbsp;Fall Management Sock&nbsp;today please contact us at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:marketing@reptonmedical.co.uk">marketing@reptonmedical.co.uk</a>&nbsp;or visit our Repton Medical website to see our&nbsp;full range of Fall Prevention products.</p> <p>We look forward to another year of business with you, and we would like to wish you a Happy New Year!</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:69 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/the-falls-prevention-initiative The Falls Prevention Initiative <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/falls10.jpg" alt="The Falls Prevention Initiative" width="520" height="385" /></p> <p><strong><em>Are you committed to reducing falls in your facility or area of work?</em></strong></p> <p>At <strong>Repton Medical</strong> we pride ourselves on research and our commitment to patient safety. We continue to conduct research and provide education within healthcare markets. We listen and cooperate with the EU, industry, institutions and healthcare professionals to ensure better practice for the safety or patients and staff alike.</p> <p>As we await the 2015 achievements of the <strong>European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing</strong> we would like to reflect back on last year’s achievements.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Falls Prevention Initiative</span></strong></p> <p>In 2014, the <strong>European A2 Action Group</strong> created one specific objective which was to create a <strong>Falls Prevention Initiative</strong>. This was due to an increase in elderly falls across Europe which is leading to long-term disability, severe dependency and fatal injuries. The associated costs from fall related treatments and rehabilitation for both health and social care are extremely high. This European initiative aims to address the fall problem through an integrated approach with timely and targeted prevention, screening, intervention and monitoring which requires a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency and multi-level approach.</p> <p><strong>The Action Groups specific objectives were:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Implementation an integration and person-centred service pathway for fall prevention and management</li> <li>Enhancement of falls data and evidence reporting</li> <li>Improvement in awareness, information and education through campaigns and training</li> <li>Government intervention- innovation, sustainability and scaling-up</li> </ul> <p>Repton Medical work closely with health care professionals throughout the UK and aim to continually support the NHS to reduce falls with our <strong>fall prevention products </strong>and<strong>training</strong>. We are always looking for new innovations in the market and researching potential improvements for our existing fall prevention products.  Repton Medical aim to provide solutions and strategies for preventing falls, helping you to save money and ultimately lives!</p> <p>To see how we can help you, please visit our website <a href="/">www.reptonmedical.co.uk</a>.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:89 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/winter-care-for-newborn-babies Winter Care for Newborn Babies <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/Ha-768x513.jpg" alt="Winter Care for Newborn Babies" width="768" height="513" /></p> <p>Having a new-born baby during the cold winter months can be quite a nerve-wracking experience for any parent. Babies in particular can be prone to illnesses due to their immune system still developing.</p> <p><strong>By following these few basic steps you can help to keep your baby safe from winter illnesses:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Washing your hands is the simplest and most effective way of getting rid of cold and flu germs.</li> <li>Ensure your baby’s <a href="http://www.babycenter.in/a541962/childhood-diseases-and-their-vaccinations">vaccinations </a>are up to date.</li> <li>Breastfeeding can boost your baby’s immune system dramatically.</li> <li>Sore throats and stuffy noses can make it difficult for your baby to drink, keep them hydrated.</li> <li>Keep your baby away from sick people and crowded places to avoid the spread of coughs and sneezes.</li> </ul> <p>Keeping your baby warm is also critical during the winter months, therefore selecting the correct clothing is extremely important. Clothing made from warm materials such as wool, flannel and fleece are great. Body heat can be lost quite quickly through the extremities, keep your baby’s head, hands and feet covered with woollen hats, gloves and socks.</p> <p>Massaging your new-born baby can help improve their blood flow and immunity levels. You can use safe products such as olive oil, almond oil or even coconut oil and do it an hour or so before bath time. Alternatively, you can massage your baby before bedtime to help them relax and sleep better.</p> <p>Investing in a humidifier can be very helpful for your baby’s health by keeping moisture in their skin. The moist air within the room can also thin out your <a href="http://www.babycenter.in/x1050640/will-steaming-help-my-babys-blocked-nose-how-do-i-give-her-a-steam">baby’s mucus discharges</a>, helping to calm their cough.</p> <p>These tips and pieces of advice can help you make sure your new-born stays safe and healthy through the cold season. If you notice them develop a cold, schedule an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible. Chances are they will be fine but if left untreated more serious problems can occur.</p> <p>For all babies born during the festive season why not bring some Christmas cheer and contact us to send for your neonatal festive hats on <strong>01909 724890</strong> for <strong>fast next day delivery</strong>.</p> <p><a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/christmas-hat1.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-2810"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2810" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/tarrycap2.jpg" alt="christmas-hat1" width="300" height="158" /></a></p> <p>To see our full range of neonatal &amp; paediatric products please visit our website-<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/">www.reptonmedical.co.uk</a></span></strong>.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:88 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/neonatal-christmas-hats-2015 Neonatal Christmas Hats (2015) <p><strong><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/tarrycap1.jpg" alt="Neonatal Christmas Hat" width="518" height="273" /></strong></p> <p><strong>For 2015 celebrate the Christmas period with our seasonal themed Tarry caps which are designed t</strong>o keep your babies warm and comfortable during their stay in hospital. Alongside our usual line of Tarry Caps we now have a&nbsp;<strong>limited edition</strong>&nbsp;green and red striped hat which increases&nbsp;<strong>Christmas festivity&nbsp;</strong><strong>in your neonatal wards</strong>.</p> <p>For babies born during the winter season why not bring some Christmas cheer to your ward and contact us now to send for your free sample or to place an order with&nbsp;<strong>fast</strong>&nbsp;<strong>next day delivery</strong>!</p> <p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2810" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/tarrycap2.jpg" alt="christmas-hat1" width="518" height="273" /></p> <p><strong>Features &amp; Benefits</strong></p> <ul> <li>Colourful stretch knit fabric reduces heat loss from the baby&rsquo;s head.</li> <li>Thick, warm, soft and latex free.</li> <li>No internal seams to mark the baby&rsquo;s head.</li> <li>Available in two sizes in a range of colours.</li> <li>Sold in boxes of 10.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Have a&nbsp;</strong><strong>Merry Christmas&nbsp;</strong><strong>from the team at Repton Medical!</strong></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:38 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/dementia-its-impact-effects Dementia - Its Impact & Effects <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/dementia-257x300.jpg" alt="Dementia- Its Impact &amp; Effects" width="257" height="300" /></p> <p>Dementia currently affects an estimated&nbsp;<strong>800,000 people in the UK&nbsp;</strong>and the number of cases is increasing significantly each year. By 2040 this figure is expected to have doubled<em>.</em>&nbsp;The symptoms of dementia may include memory loss and even difficulties with thinking, talking and problem-solving. According to the<em>&nbsp;Dementia Services Development Centre</em>, the main four problems in Dementia are:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Impairment of Memory</strong>&nbsp;&ndash; People with Dementia remember less than 50% of what their doctors tell them in appointments. Therefore it would be recommended for a family member to attend any appointments with the individual effected to make sure all information is remembered.</li> </ul> <ul> <li><strong>Impairment of Learning</strong>&nbsp;&ndash; When living with Dementia, learning how to do simple tasks or processing new information can become quite difficult. Therefore regular brain training activities will help keep the brain active, making the Dementia much more manageable to live with.</li> </ul> <ul> <li><strong>Increase in Stress &ndash;&nbsp;</strong>Due to their inability to do what they once found quite easy, people with Dementia can become stressed which makes their diagnosis harder to deal with, potentially causing even more health problems.</li> </ul> <ul> <li><strong>Changes &ndash;&nbsp;</strong>People with Dementia will experience the normal changes associated with ageing, however they will be less capable to deal with them. Dementia can cause confusion and panic meaning noticing these changes may be magnified significantly, potentially alarming the individual.</li> </ul> <p>After visiting several hospitals and analysing how they deal with patients that have Dementia, the&nbsp;<em>Dementia Services Development Centre</em>&nbsp;produced a list of factors on how to deal with Dementia in hospitals:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Ensure all pathways and corridors are clear</strong>&nbsp;&ndash; Around 35% of over 65&rsquo;s will fall in a year, rising approximately to 50% for those aged 80 and over. These statistics show how vulnerable elderly people are, especially when they are in an unfamiliar environment. Ensure there is nothing that could cause a potentially life threatening fall.</li> </ul> <ul> <li><strong>Involve Family</strong>&nbsp;&ndash; If the patient wishes to leave their bed and go for a walk, let them. Allow their family to escort them, not only will it allow them to build on their relationship but it will also relieve any stress the patient may be feeling by getting them away from their bed. Family members could also help with dinner times to ensure the patient has their nutrients and liquids.</li> </ul> <ul> <li><strong>Training for Staff</strong>&nbsp;&ndash; Giving nursing staff additional training to deal with fragile elders could make a world of difference. Nurses are not automatically trained to deal with these type of patients, therefore having that extra knowledge could improve patient&rsquo;s safety in the hospital significantly.</li> </ul> <ul> <li><strong>Routine is Essential</strong>&nbsp;&ndash; When living with Dementia routine is essential, therefore having meal times at a set time every day is important. Also don&rsquo;t move beds or furniture around the ward because it can cause confusion, Dementia patients like everything to be in one place and don&rsquo;t react well to change.</li> </ul> <p>To find out more on Dementia please visit the&nbsp;<em><a href="http://dementia.stir.ac.uk/" target="_blank">Dementia Services Development Centre</a>&nbsp;</em>website for further information and guidance.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:37 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/keeping-warm-and-staying-well-this-winter Keeping warm and staying well this winter <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/warmth1-300x222.jpg" alt="Keeping warm and staying well this winter" width="300" height="222" /></p> <p>Are you&nbsp;<strong>over 65</strong>&nbsp;or do you have a&nbsp;<strong>long-term condition</strong>? As the winter months approach, it&rsquo;s time we gain knowledge and prepare for the impact these cold and potentially life threatening months hold in store. Age UK estimates that as many as 25,000 over 65&rsquo;s could&nbsp;<strong>die unnecessarily</strong>&nbsp;because of the cold weather, amounting to 206 deaths a day or one death every seven minutes. The charity also found that 35% of elderly people were worrying about being able to keep warm at home during winter due to the high energy costs.</p> <p>Previous research shows that the cold weather can dramatically increase the risk of health problems occurring in older people, including heart attacks and strokes, respiratory problems and pneumonia, all due to the body having to work harder to maintain the body&rsquo;s core temperature. Problems such as feeling isolated and lonely is also known to have an adequate impact on physical and mental health.</p> <p><strong>Falls</strong>&nbsp;contribute greatly to the risk of elderly people leaving their home, which is a factor for them not to leave the house for weeks at a time. This can lead to them being short of medications and food and of course could lead to isolation and loneliness. In advance you should get any prescription medicines stocked up before the holidays start on the<strong>24<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;December</strong>.</p> <p>There are also many common winter ailments such as a cold, cough or sore throat. The best remedies for these are:</p> <ul> <li>Rest</li> <li>Drink plenty of fluids</li> <li>Have at least one hot meal a day</li> <li>Talk to your pharmacist for advice on which medicines to have in your medicine cabinet</li> </ul> <p>There are many&nbsp;<strong>things that you can do</strong>&nbsp;to ensure an elder you know is safe this winter. Something as simple as giving them a quick visit to make sure they have everything they need and are warm enough. Offer to go to the local shop for them so they don&rsquo;t have to put themselves at risk. If they are to venture outside make sure they wrap up well and have a scarf covering their mouth to prevent them breathing too much cold air. Shoes with good grip are also an essential item to wear.</p> <p><strong>Five things you are recommended to do over the winter months:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Ensure you get your flu jab</li> <li>Keep your home at a minimum of 18&deg; (65&deg;F)</li> <li>Research any financial schemes that can help to pay for your heating</li> <li>Visit your local pharmacist if you begin to feel unwell</li> <li>Look out for other people who could use your help over the winter</li> </ul> <p>To help keep your feet healthy and warm Repton Medical offer&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/shop/fall-protection-prevention-elderly-care/fall-management/non-skid-socks-medium/">Non-Skid Socks</a></strong>&nbsp;to fight against falls and the health risks associated with being cold. To receive your&nbsp;<strong>free sample</strong>of our&nbsp;<a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/shop/fall-protection-prevention-elderly-care/fall-management/non-skid-socks-large/">Fall Management Sock</a>&nbsp;please contact us at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:marketing@reptonmedical.co.uk">marketing@reptonmedical.co.uk</a>&nbsp;or visit our website to see our&nbsp;<a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/product-category/fall-protection-prevention-elderly-care/"><strong>full range of Fall Prevention products</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:68 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/posey-fall-management-kit Posey Fall Management Kit <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/kit1.jpg" alt="Posey Fall Management Kit" width="300" height="230" /></p> <p>Around 35% of over 65&rsquo;s will fall in the space of a year, and that figure rises rapidly to approximately 50% for those aged 80 and over. Falls destroy confidence, increase isolation and diminish independence. They can happen to anyone regardless of age or medical condition. Many falls are caused by a mixture of factors such as slips and trips, reduced mobility, age or being on medication.</p> <p>The<strong>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/shop/fall-protection-prevention-elderly-care/fall-management/deluxe-fall-management-kit/">Posey Deluxe Fall Management Kit</a></strong>&nbsp;contains 4 items that will help you to identify a patient or resident in a healthcare facility or nursing home who is at a high risk of falling. The kit comes in a choice of colours including yellow, green, orange, red, or purple which makes it easy to highlight which products to select when dealing with falls.</p> <p>Our most popular item in the kit is the&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/shop/fall-protection-prevention-elderly-care/fall-management/non-skid-socks-medium/">Posey Non-Skid Socks</a></strong>&nbsp;which offer a quick&nbsp;and easy way of identification for fall risk patients while helping to reduce the risk of fall related injuries. They can be easily incorporated into any Fall Management and/or Fall Prevention protocol. The socks have grip on both the top and bottom offering double protection even if the sock become twisted while in bed.</p> <p>The second item in the kit is the&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/shop/fall-protection-prevention-elderly-care/fall-management/fall-precaution-bracelets/">Posey Fall Precaution Bracelets</a></strong>&nbsp;which are lightweight, non-stretch polyester material with an adjustable snap closure. This product provides a non-intrusive way to identify high fall risk patients. The&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/shop/fall-protection-prevention-elderly-care/fall-management/falling-star-magnets/">Posey Falling Star Magnet</a></strong>&nbsp;is also included in the kit which can be placed alongside a patient in hospital to highlight their vulnerability to falls. It can be placed at their bedside or outside their room for example. The final item is the&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/shop/fall-protection-prevention-elderly-care/fall-management/blankets/">Posey Fall Management Blanket</a></strong>&nbsp;which can be used to discreetly identify a high fall risk patient whilst providing comfort to the individual.</p> <p>Our mission is to help you protect your patients or residents from falls. We offer practical and economical fall prevention solutions for elderly people and those at risk from falling. To receive your free sample pack of the Posey Fall Management kit please contact us at<a href="mailto:marketing@reptonmedical.co.uk">marketing@reptonmedical.co.uk</a>&nbsp;or visit our website to see our&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/product-category/fall-protection-prevention-elderly-care/">full range of Fall Prevention products</a></strong>.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:65 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/take-a-stand-to-prevent-falls Take a Stand to Prevent Falls <p><strong><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/falls10.jpg" alt="Take a Stand to Prevent Falls" width="520" height="385" /></strong></p> <p><strong>Dementia</strong>&nbsp;describes a series of symptoms that occurs when the brain is damaged by a disease such as Alzheimer&rsquo;s or a stroke. The symptoms of dementia may include memory loss and even difficulties with thinking, talking and problem-solving. There are currently an estimated 800,000 people in the UK living with dementia and the number of cases is increasing significantly each year. By 2040 this figure is expected to have doubled.</p> <p>If a person has&nbsp;<a href="http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents.php?categoryID=200120">dementia</a>&nbsp;the risk of a fall occurring increases dramatically and their ability to fully recover afterwards decreases. There are many reasons why someone could fall, for example a visual or&nbsp;<a href="http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=120">cognitive impairment</a>&nbsp;or an environmental factor such as a trip hazard. Falls are the leading cause of hospital admissions for trauma in elderly people, they can take a serious toll on an elderly person&rsquo;s quality of life and independence.</p> <p>80% of people living in care homes have a form of dementia or severe memory loss problems. This means they can become prone to falls and have a high possibility of causing harm to themselves. Since 2008, the first week of Fall/ Autumn each year is known as<strong>&nbsp;Fall Prevention Awareness Week</strong>&nbsp;(September 23rd&nbsp;&ndash;&nbsp;29th, 2015). The aim of this event is to&nbsp;<strong>raise awareness</strong>&nbsp;among elderly adults, their families and caregivers, health care professionals and the general public about the seriousness of falls. Last year over 12 million people were reached during the activities of Fall Prevention Awareness Week and this year is estimated to be even bigger!</p> <p>There are a number of things that can be done to reduce the risk of a fall or slip occurring:</p> <ul> <li>Ensure that rugs and carpets are securely fastened to the floor.</li> <li>Use non-slip mats and grab handles in the bathroom to minimise the risk of slipping when coming out of the bath or shower.</li> <li>Wear non-skid socks or slippers such as our Posey Fall Management Socks.</li> <li>Remove any clutter around the home and use brighter lighting so hazards can be seen more easily.</li> <li>Ask for help with tasks that may lead to an injury such as moving large items or reaching for something on a high shelf.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Fall Prevention Awareness Week happens once a year but fall prevention is a daily battle for many families, healthcare professionals and elderly people. By raising awareness and providing guidance and tips, the aim of Fall Prevention Awareness Week is to see the number of injuries start to decline as soon as possible</strong></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:7 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/veterinary-medical-supplies Veterinary Medical Supplies <h3><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/pets1.jpg" alt="Dog and Cat" width="520" height="292" /></h3> <h3>&hellip;because your pet isn&rsquo;t just a pet, they&rsquo;re family!</h3> <p>Here at&nbsp;<strong>Repton Medical</strong>&nbsp;we do not only supply healthcare products to the NHS, care homes and the community, we also now supply a range of products to the&nbsp;<strong>veterinary</strong>&nbsp;and<strong>pet care</strong>&nbsp;industry.&nbsp;<strong>Veterinary Medical Supplies</strong>&nbsp;has been established to cater to vets and pet owners, to improve&nbsp;<strong>animal well being</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>safety</strong>.</p> <p>Our brand new website&nbsp;<a href="http://www.veterinarymedicalsupplies.co.uk/"><strong>www.veterinarymedicalsupplies.co.uk</strong></a>&nbsp;features our full range of products which is split into two separate categories for easy navigation.</p> <h5><strong>Pet Supplies</strong></h5> <p>This product category is targeted towards pet owners themselves. Here you can find our portable&nbsp;<strong><strong><a href="http://veterinarymedicalsupplies.co.uk/product/first-aid-kit-for-dogs-cats/">Pet First Aid Kits</a></strong></strong>&nbsp;which allows you to treat your pets quickly and safely prior to veterinary assistance. The kit includes a clip for you to attach it to the dogs lead whilst out walking. Also, our&nbsp;<strong><strong><a href="http://veterinarymedicalsupplies.co.uk/product/dono-disposable-pet-nappies/">Pet Diapers</a>&nbsp;/&nbsp;<a href="http://veterinarymedicalsupplies.co.uk/product/dono-disposable-pet-nappies/">Pet Nappies</a></strong></strong>&nbsp;help you to toilet train your pets without the worry of damaging your floors and furniture in the home.</p> <h5><strong>Vet Supplies</strong></h5> <p>This product category is targeted towards veterinary practise to help them develop and improve their care for animals. This includes products such as&nbsp;<a href="http://veterinarymedicalsupplies.co.uk/product/deroyal-disposable-blood-pressure-cuffs/">blood pressure cuffs</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://veterinarymedicalsupplies.co.uk/product-category/veterinary-supplies/drug-labels/">drug labels</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="http://veterinarymedicalsupplies.co.uk/product-category/veterinary-supplies/ecg-cables/">ECG cables</a>.</p> <p>To keep up to date with our new animal products and news, please follow us on<strong>Facebook &lsquo;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Veterinary-Medical-Supplies/509625152514505?ref=hl">Veterinary Medical Supplies</a>&rsquo;</strong>&nbsp;or on our&nbsp;<strong>Twitter</strong>&nbsp;page&nbsp;<strong><strong><a href="https://twitter.com/VetMSupplies">@VetMSupplies</a></strong></strong>.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:49 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/spo2-sensors-you SpO2 Sensors & You <p><strong><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/spo21.jpg" alt="SpO2 Sensors &amp; You" width="520" height="385" /></strong></p> <p><strong>SpO2 means &ldquo;Peripheral capillary oxygen saturation&rdquo;.</strong></p> <p>This is a method used for estimating your body&rsquo;s&nbsp;<strong>oxygen saturation levels</strong>. Oxygen saturation is a way of referring to the concentration of oxygen in the blood. It measures the percentage of&nbsp;<strong>haemoglobin</strong>&nbsp;binding sites in the bloodstream occupied by oxygen.</p> <p>A normal blood oxygen level should equate to an SpO2 percentage of&nbsp;<strong>95 to 100 percent</strong>. You would be considered to have a low blood oxygen level if you were between 90 to 95 percent but this would not be indicative of a health issue. Anything lower than 90 percent is considered very low and results in&nbsp;<strong>hypoxemia</strong>.</p> <p><strong>Hypoxemia</strong>&nbsp;can come from&nbsp;<strong>sleep apnoea</strong>,&nbsp;<strong>asthma crisis</strong>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<strong>pulmonary infection</strong>, there can also be other causes which would be diagnosed by a medical professional. If you are taking a reading from home, always take a second reading during good conditions for your body, this way you can be sure to get a more reliable reading and if your reading is still low, we recommend that you consult your doctor for a reading with medical grade equipment to ensure that your readings are correct.</p> <p>Different types of machines, sensors and devices will give you more reliable readings. For example, many smart phones have apps available that will give you an SpO2 reading however these are mainly &ldquo;for fun&rdquo; and won&rsquo;t give you a reliable reading, an SpO2 Finger Sensor, as found on the hospital ward or doctors surgery, will give you a much more precise result.</p> <p>Repton Medical supplies various SpO2 Sensors which fit a variety of machines from<strong>Philips</strong>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<strong>Datex Omeda</strong>, from&nbsp;<strong>Datascope</strong>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<strong>Nonin</strong>. Many of these sensors have their adaptor cable counterparts which can also be viewed on our website.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:87 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/temperature-probe-covers Temperature Probe Covers <h2><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/hearts1.jpg" alt="Temperature Probe Covers" width="520" height="385" /></h2> <h2>Repton Medical for all your Neonatal and Incubator Accessories</h2> <p><strong>Disposable Temperature Probe Covers</strong>&nbsp;designed for the maintenance of a baby&rsquo;s body temperature within incubators and radiant warmers. This is a process to properly manage<strong>apnoea</strong>, the&nbsp;<strong>metabolic rate</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>insensible water loss</strong>.</p> <p>The covers ensure that the temperature probe stays in place to provide an&nbsp;<strong>accurate reading</strong>&nbsp;of the baby&rsquo;s body temperature. As they are hydrocarbon based, they provide<strong>long term skin attachment</strong>&nbsp;which allows them to be used for a longer period of time, and also prevents them from drying out. They are extremely&nbsp;<strong>easy to remove</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>do not leave a skin residue</strong>&nbsp;which could potentially damage the baby&rsquo;s delicate skin.</p> <p>The product contains a<strong>&nbsp;highly reflective gold mylar</strong>&nbsp;material as well as an added layer of&nbsp;<strong>foam insulation</strong>. They provide a great barrier against ambient and radiant heat. These products are available in several popular metallic colours including silver and gold and come in a wide range of styles and sizes. All are easy to reposition, comfortable for the infant to wear and are designed for single patient use only, to minimise any risk of cross contamination.</p> <p>To find out more information on this neonatal product, or any of our other incubator accessories, please call our sales team now or fill in the form on our contact us page. Alternatively you can leave a comment on this post and we will get back to you as soon as possible.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:86 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/nicu-monitoring-protection NICU Monitoring & Protection <p><img style="undefined" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/nicu1.jpg" alt="NICU Monitoring &amp; Protection" width="520" height="385" /></p> <h2>Infant and Paediatric Healthcare</h2> <p>During an infant&rsquo;s time in hospital, there may be the need for them to be protected against pulling at I.V lines and other cables. These lines are extremely important for ensuring the baby is provided with the correct amount of fluids and medication and due to the delicate location of the lines, they may need to be protected from being pulled or knocked.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">I.V Limb Boards</span></strong></p> <p>Repton Medical is dedicated to Patient Safety and can support you with our complete range of incubator apparel.</p> <p>Our baby armboards come with or without velcro straps and the option of a pink or blue cover. The board is padded with a thick foam pad to provide increased comfort and is also covered in soft spun fabric to prevent irritation which provides a soft surface for the baby&rsquo;s delicate skin to rest on. All our products are for single patient use and are latex free.</p> <p>We offer an array of&nbsp;<strong>quality</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>extremely competitively priced</strong>&nbsp;neonatal and paediatric products, including:</p> <ul> <li>Phototherapy Eye Protectors</li> <li>I.V Shields</li> <li>Foam Hatch Ties</li> <li>I.D Bracelets</li> <li>Pulse Oximeter</li> <li>Probe Wraps</li> <li>Limb Holders</li> <li>Elbow and Arm Splints</li> <li>Secure Sleeves for Paediatrics</li> </ul> <p>The list is endless and<strong>&nbsp;samples are available too!</strong></p> <p>If any of our products are of interest to your neonatal facility, go to our&nbsp;<a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/contact-us/" target="_blank">&lsquo;Contact Us&rsquo;</a>&nbsp;page and&nbsp;<strong>request a free sample. &nbsp;</strong>For more information, please do not hesitate to get in touch.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:85 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/breast-milk-labels Breast Milk Labels <p><strong><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/breastmilk3.jpg" alt="Mother and baby laughing" width="520" height="385" /></strong></p> <p><strong>Expressed Breast Milk</strong>&nbsp;means to squeeze milk out of your breast without a baby latching on to the nipple. It is always best to directly breastfeed a new-born baby however, it is not always possible. If a baby is born premature or is unwell, you can store your breast milk so that the baby can be fed at a later time.</p> <p>Thousands of babies are born every year in each maternity unit across the UK and so this is when&nbsp;<strong>Expressed Breast Milk labelling</strong>&nbsp;can become very important, or else it would be extremely difficult to match up a mother&rsquo;s breast milk to their newborn baby.</p> <p>Using&nbsp;<strong>Expressed Breast Milk labels</strong>&nbsp;allows nurses to record all information, from the mother and babies names to when the milk was expressed. Without a record of this vital information, mothers would be unable to store breast milk at a maternity ward because there would be no guarantee that the breast milk would be given to their child.</p> <p>Sometimes&nbsp;<strong>breastfeeding</strong>&nbsp;your child can leave your nipples sore and you may want to store your breast milk to give your nipples time to recover. Using a breast pump or expressing the milk by hand can still have an effect on your nipples making them cracked and painful. To avoid this you can use a nipple protector ring such as the<strong>MamaSafe</strong>&nbsp;product which can help your nipples to recover between feeds and expressing/pumping.</p> <p>To find out more about our various&nbsp;<strong>Express Breast Milk labels</strong>, please visit the links below which show you what the available different types look like&hellip;</p> <p>Express Breast Milk (Signature version 1)<br />Express Breast Milk (Signature version 2)<br />Express Breast Milk (Thick &amp; Easy Amount)</p> <p>If you would like more information about expressing and storing breast milk, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/expressing-storing-breast-milk.aspx#close" target="_blank">this article posted by the NHS</a>.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:84 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/tarry-gel-pillow Tarry Gel Pillow <p><img src="/images/uploaded/Blog/gelpillow1.jpg" alt="Tarry gel Pillow" width="520" height="385" /></p> <p>The physical development of a new-born’s neck muscles is important for their future life as it provides the grounds which allows the progress of all their future movement such as sitting up, crawling and walking. The growth of the neck muscles is one of the most important developments a baby will experience in their first few months of life.</p> <p>Therefore, parents and carers need to be extremely careful when positioning and moving babies because of the lack of strength in their neck. This <strong><a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/shop/neonatal-paediatric-care/gel-pillows/" target="_blank">Tarry Gel Pillow</a> </strong>is an important solution for the safety of babies whilst they are undertaking care.</p> <p><a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/shop/neonatal-paediatric-care/gel-pillows/" target="_blank"><strong>Tarry Gel Pillow</strong>s</a> are a gel filled pillow which are designed to provide a soft and comfortable cushioning. This prevents the need to frequently reposition immobilized babies and minimise the risk of brain damage.</p> <p>The pillow provides the support the baby needs for their neck whilst they lay in their cot. It also provides a uniform support which will help to reduce pressure points on the baby’s head.</p> <p>The gel in the pillow is guaranteed not to dry out which means just one pillow is needed for the entire length of the baby’s stay in the ward. This provides a cost saving due to its long lasting durability. “The gel is a non-toxic, DEHP and Latex free water based food gel designed to be resistant to bacterial and fungal growth” this also displays the safeness of the product.</p> <p>To request further information or a sample of our top selling <strong><a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/shop/neonatal-paediatric-care/gel-pillows/" target="_blank">Tarry Gel pillow</a> </strong>please fill out the contact us form or our contact details.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:83 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/mamasafe MamaSafe <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/mamasafe.jpg" alt="Mamasafe nipple protectors" width="500" height="320" /></p> <p>One of the most common reasons for women being advised to wean their babies or for women to stop&nbsp;<strong>breastfeeding</strong>&nbsp;of their own accord is due to sore nipples.</p> <p>Even during the early stages of pregnancy some women stress that their nipples react very sensitively to any pressure and are therefore afraid that breastfeeding will very quickly lead to sore nipples. Many problems with breastfeeding only occur after the mothers have left the hospital. In some cases, the myth that breastfeeding is unfamiliar to begin with and can lead to painful nipples is true.</p> <p>Some basic preventative measures to reduce the probability of sore nipples:</p> <ul> <li>Stimulation of the milk ejection reflex by massaging the breast</li> <li>Comfortable and varied breastfeeding positions</li> <li>Correct latching &ndash; wide opened mouth, a large proportion of breast tissue in the mouth, lips flared, chin and nose on the breast, tongue above the dental ridge.</li> </ul> <p>Even sensitive women often choose bras after pregnancy that are more flattering for the figure rather than functional. The important thing to remember when choosing a bra is that it is not restrictive and is large enough so that it does not constrict the nipples. Ideally the breasts should dry in the air after feeding. This is an important remedy for sore nipples.</p> <p><a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/shop/neonatal-paediatric-care/mamasafe-nipple-protector-rings/"><strong>MamaSafe</strong>&nbsp;</a>is a very useful aid as the idea originates from the home-made protection known as the&nbsp;<strong>&lsquo;Viennese donut&rsquo;</strong>: this involves placing several nursing pads on top of each other, holding these in place with adhesive tape and cutting a hole out of the center. A tube bandage is then wrapped around the resulting ring.</p> <p>Just like the donut,&nbsp;<strong>MamaSafe</strong>&nbsp;maintains a protective space around the nipple when placed on the breast. This ensures air circulation around the nipples, even when a bra is worn over it. The product also helps to prevent any irritation caused by the fabric.</p> <p>One advantage of&nbsp;<strong>MamaSafe</strong>&nbsp;is that it guarantees&nbsp;<strong>hygienic conditions</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>immediate availability</strong>, because it eliminates the need for women to make their own protective &ldquo;donut&rdquo;.&nbsp;<strong>MamaSafe</strong>&nbsp;must be disposed of after a few hours as soon as it is soiled by milk, perspiration or wound secretion.</p> <p>To learn more about&nbsp;<strong>MamaSafe</strong>&nbsp;and to read our&nbsp;<strong>customers reviews</strong>&nbsp;please visit our new website&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://www.mamasafe.co.uk/">www.MamaSafe.co.uk</a>.</strong></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:6 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/fathers-day-think-outside-the-socks Father’s Day: Think Outside the Socks <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/fathersday.jpg" alt="Got your nose" width="520" height="385" /></p> <p>For those who have Father&rsquo;s,&nbsp;<strong>&lsquo;thinking outside the box&rsquo;</strong>&nbsp;is becoming more difficult. Usual Father&rsquo;s Day gifts involve socks, boxers, chocolates and drinks. However, this Father&rsquo;s Day we are showing you the gifts that can actually change your father&rsquo;s life in terms of safety and protection in the home environment.</p> <p>Instead of buying the usual pair of socks from the high street, why don&rsquo;t you purchase<strong><a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/shop/fall-management/non-skid-socks-medium/" target="_blank">Posey Non-Skid Socks</a></strong>&nbsp;which will provided added protection to prevent falling/ slipping in your home?</p> <p>This summer our other essential healthcare products include:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Anti-slip Footwear-</strong>&nbsp;Slippers, Stockings and Socks</li> <li><strong>Bed Safety Protection-</strong>&nbsp;Guardrails, Positioning Aids, Crash Matts</li> <li><strong>Fall Protective Clothing-</strong>&nbsp;Hipster Briefs, Shorts or Trousers</li> </ul> <p>To find out more information on our summer essential products please visit our&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/product-category/fall-protection-prevention-elderly-care/" target="_blank">Fall Protection &amp; Prevention</a>&nbsp;</strong>product page on our website.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:48 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/raising-the-standards-of-patient-safety Raising the Standards of Patient Safety <p><strong><em><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/2811.jpg" alt="Raising the Standards of Patient Safety" width="200" height="200" /></em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Posey is your trusted resource in Patient Safety, Protection &amp; Quality…</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Offering a range of solutions for the least restrictive restraint options for protection of “high value therapies”.</em></strong></p> <p>We understand continual improvement of Patient Care in the healthcare environment is an important goal for the NHS which is why we partner with <strong>Posey</strong> to raise the standards of <strong>Patient Safety</strong> and to help <strong>reduce risks </strong>in your hospital, wards or departments. Repton Medical is committed to its partners to find the least restrictive products to keep your patients safe during medical treatment.</p> <p>Repton Medical offers a wide variety of Mitts to help with your patient’s physical therapy needs. Posey Mitts are designed for patients who disrupt medical treatment by pulling at their IV line/ catheter or who are prone to self-injury. Your patients retains full mobility while at the same time being unable to grasp and dislodge tubes or other devices. The padded mitts allow freedom of limb movement while limiting finger use, have an ambidextrous design that fits either hand and are padded for extra comfort. The Mitts are machine washable and secure with a hook and loop strap and some models come with a mesh back to facilitate skin checks, while also allowing the skin to breathe.</p> <p>When you partner with Repton Medical, we will do everything we can to optimise Patient Safety and reduce risk. To find out more about Patient Safety products, please visit our <strong><a href="/" target="_blank">website</a></strong> and read our <strong><a href="/clinical-studies" target="_blank">clinical studies</a></strong>.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:47 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/protect-your-patients-with-comfort Protect your Patients with Comfort <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/patientsafety.jpg" alt="Protect your Patients with Comfort" width="520" height="311" /></p> <p>We partner with Posey to optimise Patient Safety and reduce risk in your hospital.</p> <p>The single most important goal of the NHS is for it to be totally devoted to continual improvement of Patient Care.</p> <p>We are committed to helping our partner, find the best restrictive products to keep your patients safe, and to reduce costs for your hospital.</p> <p><a href="/">Repton Medical</a> offers a range of critical care products to enhance the safety and protection of patients. To provide comfort whilst protecting your patient is the <strong><a href="/search?q=sleeve">Posey Secure Sleeves</a></strong> and <strong><a href="/search?q=splint">Posey Soft Splint</a></strong>. These products are external limb splints used to help protect patients from pulling at their tubes, IV sites or wounds. There are a range of sleeves available from infant to adult sizes.</p> <p>A unique cos effective solution is the <strong><a href="/search?q=sleeve">Posey Secure Sleeve</a></strong> which may be pinned or clipped to the patients sleeve to prevent sliding. The translucent fabric allows the splint to stay in place during x-rays and it is easily applied with hook and loop closure. This product is machine washable and has a waterproof outer cover for ease of cleaning.</p> <p>In short, when you partner with Posey, we will do everything we can to ensure you optimise Patient Safety and reduce risk! To find out more about our Patient Safety products, please visit our website and remember to take a look at our <strong><a href="/clinical-studies">Clinical Studies Page</a></strong>.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:36 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/living-with-dementia Living with Dementia <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/dementia6.jpg" alt="Living with Dementia" width="520" height="385" /></p> <p>Living with dementia can be difficult especially if you want to stay living in your own home for as long as possible because you would need help and support from others.</p> <p>We all take every day situations for granted, but suffering with dementia can make living at home that much more difficult. Everyone wants to stay living at home for as long as possible but without help and support it is not always safe, especially as the dementia progresses and the patient gets older. When the condition gets worse what used to be a safe and comfortable&nbsp;environment can quickly turn into a hazardous area. This can feel like your losing your independence so it is important to, where possible, let the patient be involved in the decision making process about any changes that are being made to their home and every day life. Sometimes this is not always possible so it is also important that those making the decisions are doing so in the patients best interests so that they do not cause themselves any unnecessary harm.</p> <p>One of the major problems that staying at home can cause is tripping and falling meaning that fall management and fall prevention becomes a major part of life at home when living with dementia.</p> <p>There are many products out there that can help prevent falls in the home, below is just a small sample of what is available.</p> <h3><strong><a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/product-category/fall-protection-prevention-elderly-care/anti-embolism-stockings/">Anti-Embolism Stockings</a></strong></h3> <p>Not only do these stockings help to prevent embolism&rsquo;s, they also have a non-skid technology that wraps around the foot, so no matter if the stockings twist and turn on your feet, the grip will always be facing the floor, giving that extra protection against falling over.</p> <h3><strong><a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/product-tag/socks/">Fall Management Socks</a></strong></h3> <p>These brightly coloured socks also have a non-slip grip to them. One of the mayor problems of socks with grip on them is that the grip is only on the sole of the foot, our socks however have the grip all around the feet in order to protect the wearer from slipping, no matter if the socks twist or turn on your feet.</p> <h3><a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/?s=hipster&amp;post_type=product">Posey Hipsters</a></h3> <p>If a fall should happen the hip bone is at risk of breaking, which means an extended hospital stays and when released the patient won&rsquo;t be able to return to their own home, it is extremely rare that they patient will be able to return home to live on their own, around the clock care would be needed. By wearing a hipster the extra padding can prevent all of this happening and allows the patient to remain at home.</p> <p>Please click to see more of our&nbsp;<a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/product-category/fall-protection-prevention-elderly-care/fall-management/">Fall Management</a>&nbsp;products</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:35 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/dance-helping-people-with-dementia Dance helping people with Dementia <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/dementia5.jpg" alt="Dance helping people with Dementia" width="520" height="385" /></p> <p>There has been a new study linking the benefits of dancing with the treating of dementia in east London, according to the BBC.</p> <p>Dementia is becoming more and more widespread in the elderly population throughout the UK and scientists have started to look at alternative ways to treat the condition without resorting to any kind of drug therapy. Music and dancing is just one area of study and they appear to be having a protective effect. Researchers from the&nbsp;University of Canterbury have started to work together with a dance company in order to analyse the benefits of music and dance in correlation with the treating of dementia.</p> <p>The original&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-32690125">article and video</a>&nbsp;can be found on the BBC website.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:34 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/physiotherapy-after-a-stroke Physiotherapy after a Stroke <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/stroke1.jpg" alt="Physiotherapy after a Stroke" width="520" height="190" /></p> <p>Strokes can cause damage to a part of the brain that controls personal movement.</p> <p>This can cause weakness or paralysis on one side of the body and problems with moving and carrying out every day activities. The affected side of the body may feel different or heavy because the weakness make them difficult to move, or they may feel numb. Some people have more unusual sensations such as pins and needles, hot and cold sensations or feel as though water in running their limb.</p> <p>It may cause problems with posture and balance, making it difficult to stay upright and you may be more likely to fall. Joints on the affected side, such as a shoulder, may be vulnerable to injury or alternatively muscles may become stiff which limits the movement of the joint.</p> <p>After a stroke, brains cannot grow new cells to replace the ones that have been damaged, so the recovery depends on your brains ability to reorganise its undamaged cells and make up for what has been lost. Physiotherapy can provide expert guidance to help. Physiotherapy will involve an early assessment, active therapy and the support and encouragement to start moving again.</p> <p>Tips for recovery:</p> <ul> <li>Practice the exercises that your therapist has set you.</li> <li>Keep to a routine of exercising at a regular time each day.</li> <li>Remember the more you do the better!</li> <li>Use a notebook to keep track of your progress and to also remind you what you need to do.</li> <li>Be patient with yourself!</li> <li>Start slowly and build up gradually.</li> <li>Try to keep to a sustainable weight.</li> <li>Try new activities to help you maintain or improve recover.</li> <li>Join an exercise group or stroke club to meet and be encouraged by other people.</li> </ul> urn:store:1:blog:post:77 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/the-risk-of-developing-a-pressure-ulcer The Risk of Developing a Pressure Ulcer <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/pressureulcer3.jpg" alt="The Risk of Developing a Pressure Ulcer" width="520" height="385" /></p> <p>Pressure ulcers are caused by increased pressure, shearing (which is pulling of the skin due to slipping down the bed or chair) or friction to the skin. Other things can also add to the risk of developing pressure ulcers.</p> <p>These include:</p> <ul> <li>Illness</li> <li>Lack of movement</li> <li>Not eating enough</li> <li>Not drinking enough</li> <li>Damp or moist skin</li> <li>Loss of sensation</li> </ul> <p>There are a range of people who are at risk of developing a pressure ulcer which includes:</p> <ul> <li>If you have difficulty moving or repositioning yourself</li> <li>If you cannot feel pain over part or all of their body</li> <li>If you have limited bladder or bowl control</li> <li>If you are seriously ill or have had surgery</li> <li>If you have a poor diet and or low fluid intake</li> <li>If you smoke</li> <li>If you have had a previous pressure ulcer/skin damage</li> <li>If you have poor circulation</li> <li>If you are very old or very young</li> <li>If you are very underweight or overweight</li> </ul> <p>If you have any further questions about pressure ulcers please don&rsquo;t hesitate to speak to your local nurse or carer looking after you. Alternatively, please read our other blog posts on pressure ulcers.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:64 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/12-facts-about-falls 12 Facts About Falls <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/falls8.jpg" alt="12 Facts About Falls" width="329" height="385" /></p> <ol> <li>Around 35% of over 65s will fall in a year, rising approximately to 50% for those aged 80 and over.</li> <li>75% of falls are not reported</li> <li>Falls destroy confidence, increase isolation and reduce independence, with 9% of older people who fall becoming afraid to leave their homes in case they fall again.</li> <li>In the UK, one in two women and one in five men will suffer a fracture at some point after the aged of 50, mainly because of poor bone health.</li> <li>About 300,000 fragility fractures occur in the UK annually, including 89,000 hip fractures.</li> <li>For women, the risk of sustaining a hip fracture is greater than the risk of developing breast cancer.</li> <li>The combined annual cost of hospital and social care for patients with a hip fracture in the UK was calculated in 2011 by the National Osteoporosis Society as &pound;2.3 billion, or more than &pound;6 million a day, in the UK.</li> <li>Three million people in the UK are estimated to have osteoporosis.</li> <li>Each year, fractures in patients aged 60 years and over account for more than 1.5 million hospital bed days in the UK.</li> <li>10% of hip fracture patients will die within one month of their fracture, 30% will die within a year and there are 13,800 hip fracture related deaths a year in the UK.</li> <li>Women who site for more than 9 hours a day are 50% more likely to have a hip fracture than those who site for less than 6 hours a day.</li> <li>A tailored exercise programme can reduce an individual&rsquo;s risk of falling by up to 50%.</li> </ol> <p>&nbsp;</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:33 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/living-well-with-dementia Living Well with Dementia <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/dementia4.jpg" alt="Living well with dementia" width="520" height="385" /></p> <p>Living with dementia can be both challenging and scary. However, there are many things that you can do to carry on living life as well as possible. You need to keep a positive outlook!</p> <p>Your plans for the future may change, but dementia doesn&rsquo;t change who you are as a person. This diagnosis doesn&rsquo;t mean that you need to stop doing the things that you enjoy, but you may have to start doing them in a different way.</p> <p>There are some practical things that you can do to help you live as well as possible. You need to focus on the things you can and want to do, and try not to become isolated to the people around you. Keeping busy with activities you enjoy may help you feel more confident and happy in your life.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Coping with Memory Loss</strong></p> <p>Memory loss can be distressing and undermine your confidence.</p> <ul> <li>Keep a diary or calendar to write important things down that you want to remember. It may be easier for you to keep a large &lsquo;week to week&rsquo; view diary for easy identification.</li> <li>Put labels or pictures on cupboards to help remind you where things are in your home. You could keep frequently used items such as a cup, plate and cutlery out on your table.</li> <li>Place useful and important telephone numbers by the side of your phone.</li> <li>Ask your pharmacist about putting your pills in disposable dosette box which has the days of the week marked on it. This will help you keep organised.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p><strong>Being Active</strong></p> <p>Keeping as active as possible will bring great benefits. Being active can help you meet people, retain skills and memory, boost your self esteem, improve sleep and avoid depression.</p> <ul> <li>Taking regular exercise</li> <li>Gardening</li> <li>Scrapbooking</li> <li>Playing board games or cards</li> <li>Doing world, number or jigsaw puzzles</li> <li>Reading books, newspapers or magazines</li> <li>Listening to audiobooks, the radio or music</li> <li>Arts and crafts</li> <li>Sewing</li> <li>Day trips and holidays</li> <li>Spending time with friends, family or pets</li> </ul> <p>Staying Healthy</p> <p>Having dementia doesn&rsquo;t mean you should feel ill, depressed or anxious. It is important that you check with the doctor if you feel unwell as other illnesses and infections can make you more confused and forgetful.&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>Try to eat balanced meals</li> <li>Drink plenty of fluids</li> <li>Take physical regular exercise</li> <li>If you smoke, consider stopping</li> <li>Keep warm</li> <li>Create a stable sleeping pattern</li> <li>Have the flu vaccine each year and ask about the pneumonia vaccine for over 65&rsquo;s.</li> </ul> <p>In next weeks dementia blog we will be focussing on how to keep safe in your home.</p> <p>Be sure to remember to visit us on social media by clicking the icons to the left.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:32 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/keeping-safe-in-your-home Keeping Safe in your Home <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/dementia3.jpg" alt="Keeping safe in your home" width="520" height="374" /></p> <p>Having dementia can make accidents at home more likely. Also, living alone might seem frightening if you know you have dementia.</p> <p>There are several things you can do to make yourself feel more secure and safe:</p> <ul> <li>Keep a list of emergency numbers where you can find it, perhaps next to your telephone.</li> <li>Keep other useful information accessible too.</li> <li>Keep a large week-week diary in a prominent place, and write everything down to remind you of your daily activities.</li> <li>Have appliances checked regulary. Keep records, and store them in a safe place.</li> <li>For electrical appliances, always use a qualified electrician.</li> <li>Use timers for plugs, lights and heating systems to turn things on and off automatically.</li> <li>Use personal alarm to alert people if you fall.</li> <li>Install carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms.</li> <li>Use timers for plugs, lights and heating systems to turn things on and off automatically.</li> </ul> <p>Falls are a common problem for the elderly and require extra attention in the home. Make your house fall safe by introducing&nbsp;<strong>fall management products</strong>.</p> <p><strong>Tips on how to avoid falls</strong><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <ul> <li>Make sure the house is well lit and remove any hazards, such as rugs.</li> <li>Keep a torch by the bed.</li> <li>Avoid trailing wires and flexes.</li> <li>Nail or tape down the edges of rugs.</li> <li>Replace worn rugs and carpets.</li> <li>Have a letter tray fitted to your front door.</li> <li>Try not to bend or climb. If you must climb, use proper steps.</li> <li>Get up from chairs or the bed slowly.</li> <li>Have regular eye tests.</li> <li>Avoiding trailing clothes which may trip you up.</li> <li>If your prescribed drugs are making you feel dizzy, keep taking them, but talk to your GP.</li> <li>Consider fitting handrails, especially on the stairs and in the bathroom.</li> </ul> <p>Be sure to remember to visit us on social media by clicking the icons to the left.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:46 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/the-royal-college-of-anaesthetists-label-guidelines The Royal College of Anaesthetists Label Guidelines <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/labels2.jpg" alt="The Royal College of Anaesthetists Label Guidelines" width="520" height="385" /></p> <p>Syringe Labelling in Critical Care areas is an important job for hospitals, it can prevent carelessness on wards and save lives. Dr John A Carter, Chairman of the Safety Committee for the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland published a document detailing how certain drug types, and in some cases, how some individual types of drugs should be labelled.</p> <p>The&nbsp;<a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/labels/syringelabels(june)2004.pdf">Syringe Labelling in Critical Care Areas Update</a>&nbsp;document outlines the requirements in detail however the below examples list some of the most important requirements.</p> <p>&lsquo;Adrenaline&rsquo; is to be used, not &lsquo;Epinephrine&rsquo; (similarly &lsquo;Noradrenaline&rsquo;, not &lsquo;Norepinephrine&rsquo;).</p> <p><strong>Suxamethonium and Adrenaline</strong></p> <p>All lettering to be black with the exception of the labels for Suxamethonium and Adrenaline which shall be printed against the background colour as bold reverse plate letters within a black bar running from edge to edge of the upper half of the label, the rest of which shall display the coloured background.</p> <p><strong>Antagonists</strong></p> <p>To denote a drug of opposite action, 1mm wide diagonal stripes of the designated colour, alternating with a 1mm wide white stripe is used. The stripes should run from lower left to upper right at approximately 45 degrees. The striping should be omitted behind and below the drug name. Protamine, as an antagonist of Heparin, should be a white label with black stripes.</p> <p><strong>Anti-emetics</strong></p> <p>The syringe label for this group of drugs should have the background colour Salmon 156, which is shared by the major tranquillisers.</p> <p><strong>Combinations of drugs</strong></p> <p>Drugs which are supplied ready mixed in the ampoule should have a syringe label which denotes the drug name of one of the two drugs against the appropriate background in the upper half of the label, and the drug name of the second drug against the appropriate background in the lower half.</p> <p>For example:</p> <ul> <li>Glycopyrronium and Neostigmine</li> <li>Lidocaine % and Adrenaline</li> </ul> <p>An exception to this is the label for Propofol with user-addition of Lidocaine. This label should read &lsquo;Propofol/lidocaine&rsquo; with &lsquo;mg/ml&rsquo; for Propofol against the induction agent background (yellow).</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:31 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/what-is-vascular-dementia What is Vascular Dementia? <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/dementia2.jpg" alt="Vascular Dementia" width="520" height="385" /></p> <p>The term &lsquo;dementia&rsquo; is used to describe a set of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by specific diseases. These diseases include Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease and vascular dementia. Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia and it is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain.</p> <p>Vascular dementia affects everyone differently and the speed of progression varies from person to person. Typically, symptoms of vascular dementia begin suddenly, for example after a stroke. It then often follows with a &lsquo;stepped&rsquo; progression, with symptoms remaining at a constant level for a time and then suddenly deteriorating. People with vascular dementia may experience:&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>Problems with speed of thinking, communication and concentration</li> <li>Depression or anxiety</li> <li>Symptoms of a stroke, such as physical weakness of paralysis</li> <li>Memory problems</li> <li>Seizures</li> <li>Periods of severe confusion</li> </ul> <p>Vascular dementia can occur through a lack of good supply of blood. Blood is delivered through a network of blood vessels called the vascular system. If the vascular system becomes damaged and blood cannot reach the brain cells, the cells will eventually die leading to the onset of vascular dementia.</p> <p>A number of conditions can cause or increase damage to the vascular system including:&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>High blood pressure</li> <li>Heart problems</li> <li>High cholesterol</li> <li>Diabetes</li> </ul> <p>Although brain damage that causes vascular dementia cannot be reversed, it may be possible to slow the progression down in a number of ways. These include:&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>Taking medication to treat underlying conditions</li> <li>Adopting a healthier lifestyle by stopping smoking, regular exercise, eating healthily and drinking alcohol in moderation</li> <li>Receiving rehabilitative support such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, to help the person maximise their opportunities to regain their lost functions</li> </ul> <p>For further information on vascular dementia please visit the Alzheimer&rsquo;s Society website who is the UK&rsquo;s leading support and research charity for people with dementia, their families and carers&nbsp;<a href="http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/">www.alzheimers.org.uk</a>.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:30 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/the-progression-of-alzheimers-disease The Progression of Alzheimer’s disease <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/alzheimers1.jpg" alt="The Progression of Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease" width="520" height="311" /></p> <p>Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease is a progressive illness that affects every person differently. This means that the structure and chemistry of the brain become increasingly damaged over time. It can however, be helpful to think of the way the condition progresses as a series of stages. This blog post outlines the characteristics of early, middle and late stages of Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease.</p> <p>Looking at Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease as a series of three stages is a useful way of understanding the changes that occur over time. But it important to realise that these three stages only provide a rough guide to the course of the disease, this is because:&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>Some symptoms may appear earlier or later than indicated, or not at all.</li> <li>The three stages may overlap each other.</li> <li>Some symptoms, such as walking, may appear at one stage and then vanish, while others such as memory loss will worsen over time.</li> </ul> <p>Physical make-up, emotional resilience, medication and other factors affects how one person will experience the Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Early Stage</strong></p> <p>Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease usually begins gradually with very minor changes in the person&rsquo;s abilities or behaviour. Some signs are often mistaken for stress or bereavement, or, in order people, to the normal process of ageing.</p> <p>Loss of memory for recent events is a common early sign. Someone with Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease may:</p> <ul> <li>Forget about recent conversations and events</li> <li>Repeat themselves</li> <li>Become slower at grasping new ideas</li> <li>Becoming confused</li> <li>Unwilling to adapt to change</li> <li>Lose interest in other people or activities</li> <li>Show poor judgement towards decisions</li> </ul> <p><strong>Middle Stage</strong></p> <p>As the disease progresses, the changes will become more apparent. The person will require further support to help them manage their everyday living which may include reminding them to eat, wash, dress and use the toilet. They are likely to become increasingly forgetful, particularly with names, and they may repeat the same stories and questions due to a decline in their memory. The person may begin failing to recognise people or confuse them with others.</p> <p>At this stage, people start to become easily upset, angry or aggressive due to frustration and lack of confidence. Other symptoms may include:&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>Becoming confused on where they are</li> <li>Becoming muddled about time and getting up at night because they are mixing up the night and day</li> <li>Putting themselves or others at risk through forgetfulness, for example by not lighting the gas on the cooker</li> <li>Starting to behave in ways that may seem unusual</li> <li>Beginning to hallucinate</li> </ul> <p><strong>Late Stage</strong>&nbsp;</p> <p>At the final stage, the person with Alzheimer&rsquo;s will need even more help and support as they gradually become totally dependent on others for nursing care. Loss of memory may become very pronounced, with the person unable to recognise familiar objects or people closest to them, although there may be sudden flashes of recognition.</p> <p>The person may also become increasingly frail. They may start to shuffle or walk unsteadily, eventually becoming confined to a bed or wheelchair. Other symptoms may include:&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>Difficulty in eating and sometimes swallowing</li> <li>Considerable weight loss &ndash; although some people eat too much and put on weight</li> <li>Incontinence &ndash; losing control of their bladder and sometimes their bowels</li> <li>Gradual loss of speech although they may repeat a few words or cries out from time to time.</li> </ul> <p>The person may become restless and sometimes seeming to be searching for something or someone. They may become easily distressed or aggressive &ndash; especially if they feel threatened in some way. Those caring for the person should try to not take this personally, as the person is not being aggressive deliberately.</p> <p>Although the person may seem to have little understanding of speech and may not recognise those around them, they may still respond to affection and to being talked to a calming voice. They may also enjoy scents, music or stroking a pet.</p> <p>On average, people with Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease live for eight to ten years after their symptoms begin. Life expectancy does, however, vary considerably depending on how old the person is and whether they were diagnosed early on or later in the disease.</p> <p>For more information about the three stages of Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease please visit the Alzheimer&rsquo;s Society website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/">www.Alzheimers.org.uk</a>.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:45 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/the-importance-of-colour-coded-syringe-labels The Importance of Colour Coded Syringe Labels <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/labels1.jpg" alt="The Importance of Colour Coded Syringe Labels" width="520" height="311" /></p> <p>Consistency and clarity of syringe labelling are important elements in the prevention of medical errors. Colour coding syringe labels was first introduced in the UK in 2003 when the new standards for labels were introduced by the Royal College of Anaesthetists. The aim was to standardise colour coding for syringe labelling to prevent medication mix-ups and provide easy to use classification identification system for syringes.</p> <p>Drug errors are extremely uncommon and represent a small part of anaesthesia problems but still have the potential to seriously morbidity. All drug labels are now colour coded to match the drug type to ensure no danger to a patient by being given the wrong type of drug and treatment.</p> <p><strong>The colour coding is as follows&hellip;</strong></p> <p><strong><strong>Colour Code</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Drug Classification</strong></p> <p>Red&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Non-Depolarising Relaxants<br />Blue&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Narcotics<br />Yellow &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Induction Agents<br />Grey&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Local Anaesthetics<br />Purple&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Vasopressors<br />Orange &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hypnotics<br />Salmon&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Major Tranquilizers<br />Green &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Anti-Cholinergic Agents<br />White &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Other Agents</p> <p><em>Please note some labels can have stripe markings on them on top of a white label. See below&hellip;</em></p> <p>Orange&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Hypnotic Antagonists<br />Red&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Relaxant Antagonists<br />Purple &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hypotensive Antagonists<br />Blue&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Narcotic Antagonists</p> <p>Our upcoming blogs will outline label products available and guidelines for the use of syringes for all healthcare providers and ward staffs who are involved in the management of critically ill patients. This includes Operating Theatres, Intensive Care Units (ICU), Coronary Care Units (CCU) and other areas with critically ill patients.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:29 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/make-dementia-a-priority Make Dementia a Priority <p><strong><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/dementia1.jpg" alt="Dementia graphic" width="520" height="311" /></strong></p> <p><strong>Dementia is one of the biggest health and care challenge our country faces &ndash; one that all of society must respond to.</strong></p> <p><strong>Did you know?</strong></p> <p>Although there is a small political focus on dementia, the progress is too slow. There will be more than a million people living with dementia by the end of the next parliament and there will not be a family in the country that is not affected.</p> <p>The Alzheimer&rsquo;s Society is currently in the process of trying to make dementia a priority for the forthcoming 2015 election. They want the new government to improve the lives of people living with dementia, and they need everyone&rsquo;s help to make this happen, including yours.</p> <p>The general election is an opportunity to make sure people living with dementia are better supported through their &lsquo;Dementia Promise&rsquo; manifesto. The manifesto sets out 12 actions that the government must take in order to improve the lives of people living with dementia.</p> <p><strong>12 Actions Include:</strong></p> <ol> <li>Commit to increase diagnosis to at least 75% everywhere by 2017</li> <li>Ensure a streamlined diagnosis process to cut waiting times</li> <li>Ensure everyone with dementia has access to a dementia adviser</li> <li>Ensure everyone has the right to a career assessment and guaranteed support</li> <li>Regulate that home care visits should be no less than 30 minutes</li> <li>Fund an annual national dementia awareness campaign</li> <li>Commit to all health and care settings being dementia friendly</li> <li>Ensure all service providers and care works in dementia care have protected dementia training time</li> <li>Demonstrate leadership in creating a dementia friendly society with a commitment that all national and local government employees become dementia friends</li> <li>Ensure every person with dementia has the same state support in managing their condition as people with cancer</li> <li>Double the spend on dementia research, focussing on risk reduction and improving care as well as cure</li> <li>Develop and publish a national plan, jointly owned by government and key delivery stakeholders, to raise the ambition for people with dementia</li> </ol> <p>Their aim is to go to parliament to present the dementia promise to MPs and to talk to politicians about what they can do to make a positive difference to the lives of people affected by dementia.</p> <p>In next week&rsquo;s blog, we will present why change is so important to the UK healthcare system.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:63 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/falls-lead-to-medical-attention Falls Lead to Medical Attention <p>Falls have become a major public health problem as they often require medical attention. 20-30% of mild to severe injuries are caused through falls and they are the underlying cause of 10-15% of all emergency department visits. More than 50% of fall related admissions are among people over 65 years with injuries like hip fractures, traumatic brain and upper limb fractures and sprains.</p> <p>These falls related injuries require duration of stay within a hospital which can range between 4 and 15 days. However, in the case of hip fractures, hospital stays can extend to over 20 days. Due to the increasing age and frailty level, older people are more likely to remain in hospital after sustaining a fall related injury for the rest of their life.&nbsp; Subsequently to falls, 20% die within a year from hip fractures.</p> <p><img style="undefined" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/graph1.jpg" alt="Falls Lead to Medical Attention" width="536" height="327" />&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Source-</em>&nbsp;National Council on Ageing (WTO)</p> <p>Fall prevention is a challenge to population ageing and it is important to start taking preventative measures now rather than in the future. The number of falls is projected to be 100% higher in 2030 which shows prevention should be a key objective. Through implementing the Posey fall management solution programme it will help to protect your patients from fall related injuries in the healthcare environment.</p> <p>To find out more or for further literature please email our sales team at<a href="mailto:sales@reptonmedical.co.uk">sales@reptonmedical.co.uk</a>.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:62 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/what-to-do-if-you-fall What to do if you fall? <p><img style="undefined" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/falls7.jpg" alt="What to do if you fall?" width="520" height="385" /></p> <p>After taking sensible precautions and being aware of the risks, falls can still occur.</p> <p>Firstly, it is important not to panic when you fall and although you may feel a little shaken or shocked, staying calm and remaining in control of the situation will help you gather your thoughts and remember what you need to do. Before you take any action, you need to consider whether you feel able to get up again.</p> <p><strong>&nbsp;If you don&rsquo;t feel hurt and you feel able to get up please follow the following actions:</strong></p> <ol> <li>Take your time and don&rsquo;t get up too quickly (even if urged to do so by helpful family or friends)</li> <li>Roll onto your hands and knees and look for a stable piece of furniture, such as a chair or bed.</li> <li>Holding onto furniture, slowly get up. A chair may be steadier if you lean against the seat rather than the arms.</li> <li>Sit down and rest for a while to recover.</li> </ol> <p><strong>If you do feel hurt or are unable to get up please follow these alternative actions:</strong></p> <ol> <li>Try to get someone&rsquo;s attention &ndash; use your personal alarm if you have one or use your mobile to dial 999. If there is someone nearby, call out for help or band on the wall or floor.</li> <li>While you are waiting for help, get as comfortable and warm as you can. Get to a carpeted area of floor if you can and try to reach for something warm to put over you, particularly your legs and feet such as a blanket, duvet, dressing gown or towels.</li> <li>Move regularly to help you keep comfortable and avoid pressure sores. Unless you suspect a fracture, try to change your position every half an hour or so.</li> <li>Always report a fall to your GP. They can recommend a fall risk assessment, which will look at ways to improve safety in your home and reduce the risk of further falls.</li> </ol> urn:store:1:blog:post:61 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/problems-with-mobility-and-balance Problems with Mobility and Balance <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/falls6.jpg" alt="Problems with Mobility and Balance" width="520" height="385" /></p> <p>Falls can be caused by a combination of factors, both to do with objects in the<strong>environment</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>health&nbsp;</strong>related issues. Many healthcare symptoms can&nbsp;<strong>increase</strong>&nbsp;the risk of falls. These can include muscle stiffness, muscle spasm, weakness and numbness, tremor, pain and fatigue. These problems are sometimes caused by<strong>interruptions to the communication</strong>&nbsp;between the brain and the rest of the body. If the patient&rsquo;s brain says move but the communication doesn&rsquo;t reach the leg, it can result in a fall.</p> <p>Each year there are more than&nbsp;<strong>2.7 million</strong>&nbsp;people affected by falls in the UK, causing many accidental injuries. The consequences of falls can be serious, so it is important to reduce the patient&rsquo;s risk.</p> <p><strong>We offer practical and economical fall prevention solutions:</strong></p> <ul> <li>&nbsp;Provide&nbsp;<strong>protective footwear</strong>&nbsp;for the patient to increase their grip and balance when walking. These could include our&nbsp;<strong>Posey</strong>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/product-tag/socks/">socks</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/product-tag/slippers/">slippers&nbsp;</a>or&nbsp;<a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/product-tag/stocking/">stockings</a>.</li> <li>&nbsp;Create a safer environment by placing&nbsp;<strong>impact absorbing crash mats</strong>&nbsp;at the side of the patient&rsquo;s bed. This will increase the&nbsp;<strong>bed safety</strong>&nbsp;for the patient in case they accidentally fall out of bed throughout the night.</li> <li>&nbsp;Make sure your patients are indicated as a &lsquo;high fall risk&rsquo; with our&nbsp;<strong>colour coded fall management solutions</strong>. These include&nbsp;<a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/product-tag/bracelet/">bracelets</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/product-tag/socks/">socks</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/product-tag/magnets/">magnets&nbsp;</a>and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/shop/fall-management/blankets/">blankets</a>.</li> <li>&nbsp;Provide&nbsp;<strong>protective clothing</strong>&nbsp;which includes&nbsp;<a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/?s=hipster&amp;post_type=product">padded hipsters, shorts and trousers</a>. These protect the hips against injuries when a patient falls.</li> <li>&nbsp;Consider&nbsp;<strong>rearranging the room</strong>&nbsp;to provide a safer walking area. Perhaps strategically placing furniture for &lsquo;furniture walking&rsquo; if necessary. Make sure the furniture is sturdy enough for the purpose!</li> </ul> <p>Alongside our products, we can provide&nbsp;<strong>guidance</strong>,&nbsp;<strong>literature</strong>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<strong>support</strong>&nbsp;to help you introduce a fall reduction programme at your facility. To find out more about how you can implement a falls protocol for your patients or residents, or to arrange for a demonstration contact us today!</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:60 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/top-5-selling-fall-products Top 5 Selling Fall Products <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/falls5.jpg" alt="Top 5 Selling Fall Products" width="520" height="385" /></p> <p>Falls can happen to anyone irrespective or age or medical condition. Over 65% of falls may cause no serious harm however the consequences of falling can be serious, ranging from distress and loss of confidence, through to injuries, pain and loss of independence.</p> <p>Many falls are caused by a combination of things like slipping or tripping, people with existing conditions such as low blood sugar, ear infections, reduced mobility from arthritis, age, or medication.</p> <p>As part of our blogs fall awareness month, we have identified our top 5 selling fall products which have proven to help people who are at serious risk from falling.</p> <p><strong>1. <a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/?s=socks&amp;post_type=product">Posey Non-Skid Socks</a></strong></p> <p>The Posey non-skid socks offer a quick&nbsp;and easy way of identification for fall risk patients while helping to reduce the risk of fall related injuries. They can be easily incorporated into any Fall Management and/or Fall Prevention protocol. The sock has grip on both the top and bottom offering double protection even if the sock become twisted while in bed. Available in 5 different colours and 2 size ranges.</p> <p><strong>2. <a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/?s=slippers&amp;post_type=product">Posey Non-Skid Slippers</a></strong></p> <p><strong>&nbsp;</strong>The Posey colour coded fall management slippers are for patients requiring non-skid footwear to help prevent falls. Can be used (by colour) to indicate to nursing staff the level of risk and identify high risk patients. Available in 5 different sizes and colours.</p> <p><strong>3. <a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/product-category/fall-protection-prevention-elderly-care/anti-embolism-stockings/">Tread Safe Anti-Embolism Stockings</a></strong></p> <p>The Tread Safe Anti-Embolism is complete with an inspection opening to facilitate skin and for circulation checks. Additionally, our Anti-Embolism Stockings are designed to help&nbsp;reduce slips, trips and falls&nbsp;in hospital departments or in the home environment by combining anti-embolism stockings with non-slip technology. Sizes and lengths from XS to XXL and Knee high to Thigh high.</p> <p><strong>4. <a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/?s=bracelet&amp;post_type=product">Posey Fall Precaution Bracelets</a></strong></p> <p>The Posey fall precaution bracelets are lightweight, non-stretch polyester material with an adjustable snap closure. This product provides a non-intrusive way to identify high fall risk patients. Why not purchase the bracelets alongside the socks and slippers to create a fall management package? Staying with the same colour helps to provide a fall management colour coding system within your hospital wards.</p> <p><strong>5.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/?s=hipsters&amp;post_type=product">Posey Hipsters EZ-On Brief with High Durability Pads</a></strong></p> <p>Posey Hipsters EZ-On Brief with High Durability Pads helps to prevent broken bones or hip fractures. Hipsters reduce the impact of a fall and lower the likelihood of a hip fracture. The Posey hipster hip protectors feature impact absorbing foam pads over the critical hip fracture area that help protect against fall related injuries. They are soft, comfortable pads which help to improve compliance versus hard-shell products. Removable pads allow for cost effective pad replacement.</p> <p>Our high quality products to help to minimise falls and this is backed by our extensive education and resources which we use to support care providers. To find out more on our fall management solutions, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Twitter for up to date series of articles and information.</p> <p>To find out how we can help you manage falls in your environment, ward or in the home, please get in touch and ask for Jaki Burton at</p> <p>Tel: 01909 724890<br />Email: jaki.burton@reptonmedical.co.uk</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:59 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/posey-an-industry-leader-in-fall-management Posey … An Industry Leader in Fall Management <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/posey1.jpg" alt="Posey … An Industry Leader in Fall Management" width="509" height="177" /></p> <p>Falls are the most common cause of emergency hospital admissions.</p> <p>Falls and fall –related injuries are a real danger to patients…</p> <ul> <li>The incident of falls in hospitalised patients ranges from 1.4 – 18.2 falls per 1000 patient days.</li> <li>23%-42% of cases result in some type of injury.</li> <li>2%-9% result in serious injury including fractures, subdural haematoma’s, or even death.</li> <li>Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and non fatal injuries among older adults.</li> </ul> <p>Fewer hospital admissions as great news for everyone all round, especially for the patient who would much rather be in the comfort of their own home.</p> <p>We not only provide a range of high quality products  to help minimise falls , this is backed by our extensive education and resources  to support care providers whether in the hospital environment or care home but also for the families of patients who have suffered a fall.</p> <p>Look out for our series of articles and information “<strong>coming soon!</strong>” on <a href="/">our website</a> which could help you minimise risk and reduce fall rates in your facility, ward or area of responsibility.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:76 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/discover-the-posey-heeling-power Discover the Posey ‘Heeling’ Power <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/proheelx3.jpg" alt="pro heelx" width="520" height="385" /></p> <p>The incidence or heel pressure ulcers range from 19% to 32% in acute care facilities. Patients with a fractured hip and open reduction with internal fixation have a 45.1% probability of developing a partial-thickness (Stage I-II) heel pressure ulcer.</p> <p>There are several known factors that increase a patients risk of developing a heel pressure ulcer, including:</p> <ul> <li>Inadequate/malnutrition</li> <li>Advancing age</li> <li>Abnormalities of circulation</li> <li>Sensory deficiency</li> <li>Immobility</li> <li>Major surgery</li> <li>Multiple health problems</li> <li>Dehydration</li> <li>Friction and shear forces</li> <li>Diabetes</li> <li>Peripheral vascular disease</li> <li>Hip fractures</li> <li>Low albumin levels/anemia</li> <li>Obesity or low body-mass index</li> </ul> <p><strong>The Anatomy of the Heel</strong></p> <ul> <li>Lacks fat-filled fascial interstices to absorb the compressive forces of prolonged pressure or shear.</li> <li>The blood supply is poor and there is no underlying muscle to distribute pressure.</li> <li>Prolonged pressure can lead to ischemia.</li> </ul> <p>In order to reduce yours costs and prevent heel pressure ulcers, discover the new Pro-HeeLx from&nbsp;<strong>Posey</strong>&nbsp;which is designed to float the heels above the bed surface. The durable straps help with foot drop functionality, whilst the Ortho-Wick inner-liner manages moisture and provides comfort for the patient. The product has a 2&rdquo; heel lift which helps to isolate the heel and the large opening helps to ensure adequate ventilation and cooling. The outer fabric is made of breathable nylon, allowing moisture and heat to migrate away from the foot.</p> <p>It is not just the patients in hospitals who are at risk of pressure ulcers; it can also affect the elderly in care homes who are immobile for extensive periods of time. Those with conditions that affect the blood flow, such as type 2 diabetes, are at much greater risk of pressure ulcers. The incidence of heel ulcers can be reduced using a total-patient care approach and heel offloading devices. Wearing a Posey Pro-heeLx is a form of wound management will help to prevent the cause of pressure ulcers through its lifting device.</p> <p>If you would like to see a full clinical study on the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/shop/heel-offloading-devices/pro-heelx-boot/">Pro heeLx</a>&nbsp;you can view or download the study &ldquo;<a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/clinicalstudies/pro-heelx/PRO-heeLx.pdf">Descover the Posey Heeling Power</a>&rdquo; in our&nbsp;<a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/clinical-studies2/">Clinical Studies</a>&nbsp;section, or alternatively call our sales team for further information.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:5 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/merry-christmas Merry Christmas <p><strong><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/xmas1.jpg" alt="Christmas Baubles" width="351" height="193" /></strong></p> <p><strong>As Christmas Eve is only 1 week away we wanted to spread the festivity to wish all of our loyal customers and readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.</strong></p> <p>Repton Medical thanks you for your custom in 2014 and we hope to continue throughout 2015.</p> <p>There are many exciting blogs coming your way in January which include</p> <ul> <li>New product launches</li> <li>International conference diaries</li> <li>How to stay fit for Spring</li> <li>Clinical case studies</li> <li>NHS news stories</li> </ul> <p>To make sure you stay alert for our upcoming blog posts in the New Year, please visit our Twitter page where you can be updated on all ours news and events.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:41 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/reducing-fall-related-injuries-using-floor-mats Reducing Fall Related Injuries Using Floor Mats <p><img style="undefined" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/floormat.jpg" alt="Reducing Fall Related Injuries Using Floor Mats" width="520" height="385" /></p> <p>Despite decades of research and development efforts to reduce falls, it is still the most commonly reported adverse event in hospitals. As part of a study conducted by UAMS Medical Centre, they evaluated the effectiveness of implementing Posey Floor Matting for fall injury protection in the acute care setting. The clinical trials were conducted in Neuroscience and stem call transplant units.</p> <p>The results from the trial indicated that:</p> <ul> <li>UAMS Medical Centre saved $1.27 million in costs related to injuries resulting from falls.</li> <li>60% of patients who fall in their hospital land on a floor mat.</li> <li>They consistently outperform the mean nationally and are a now a Top Performer in preventing injury falls.</li> </ul> <p>Overall the implementation of floor matting is cost effective and a sustainable mechanism for preventing falls in the acute care setting. Portability of the matting allows for injury protection whether the patient is in the bed or out of bed to a chair. Dispelling nursing concerns and providing clinical decision support using an evidence based fall program were key to reducing variability in how and when floor matting is implemented.</p> <p>At Repton Medical we offer the Posey Beveled Floor Cushions along with other premium lines which help to reduce the risk of fall-related injuries by absorbing up to 85% of the impact from a fall. The matt features bevelled edges on three sides, which helps to reduce tripping hazards and accommodates walkers and wheelchairs. The one-inch thick foam creates a low profile edge and the bottom features a non-skid material for easier ambulation. It is in a wipe-clean vinyl and folds into thirds for easy storage in the ward. The Beveled Floor Cushion is tested according to the ASTM test protocols for shock absorbency. Using this cushion decreases the risk injury to less than 1% bedrail height for feet-first falls.</p> <p>To find out more information on our full range of Posey Floor Mats please contact our sales team on&nbsp;<strong>01909 724890</strong>&nbsp;or by email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:sales@reptonmedical.co.uk"><strong>sales@reptonmedical.co.uk</strong></a>.</p> <p><strong><em>Source-</em></strong><em>&nbsp;Reducing Fall Related Injuries Using Floor Matting</em></p> <p><em>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Davis, Dees M., Hester Amy L.<br /></em><em>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;UAMS Medical Centre, Department of Nursing</em></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:28 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/staying-healthy-in-the-winter Staying Healthy in the Winter <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/frost.jpg" alt="Staying healthy in winter" width="520" height="385" /></p> <p>Even though the frost has arrived and the temperature is declining, there is no need to be unhealthy throughout the winter months! The NHS have suggested 5 ways to make sure you are keeping healthy and fit, even when your body is telling you to hibernate.</p> <ol> <li><strong>Eliminate your sleep debt</strong></li> </ol> <p><strong>&nbsp;</strong>Particularly in the winter it is important to get a good night&rsquo;s sleep for health and wellbeing. In the winter months, we naturally sleep more because of the longer nights. Take advantage of these longer nights and make sure you are getting seven to nine hours which is recommended by The Sleep Council.</p> <ol start="2"> <li><strong>Drink more milk</strong></li> </ol> <p>In the winter you are 80% more likely to catch a cold, so making sure your immune system is in top condition is important. Eating a balance diet is important in the winter as infections are higher and easier to catch. Milk and dairy products such as cheese, yoghurt and fromage frais are great sources of protein and vitamins A and B12. These products are also important sources of calcium which helps to keep your bones strong.</p> <ol start="3"> <li><strong>Eat more fruit and vegetables</strong></li> </ol> <p>Unhealthy food becomes a lot more tempting in the winter months as it is cold and dark outside. However, it is still important to ensure you still have a healthy balance diet and include five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.</p> <p>Try and make healthy alternatives, when you are craving a sugary treat try a juicy Clementine or Satsuma instead or sweet dried fruits such as dates or raisins. Also remember that winter vegetables can be roasted, mashed or made into a warm soup for a comforting winter meal for the whole family. Explore what is in season and excite your taste buds!</p> <ol start="4"> <li><strong>Try new activities for the whole family</strong></li> </ol> <p>When it&rsquo;s cold your motivation to be active is very low and you may use any excuse to stay in the house. Instead, get out with the whole family and try a new activity and embrace the winter season. Why don&rsquo;t you try ice skating, or taking a bracing winter walk in the park? Doing regular exercise helps control your weight and boost your immune system. Let us know in the comments below on which activities you choose to do!</p> <ol start="5"> <li><strong>Have a hearty breakfast</strong></li> </ol> <p>Porridge is the perfect breakfast in the winter season. Eating a warm bowlful on a cold morning isn&rsquo;t just a delicious way to start the day, but it helps to boost your intake of starchy foods and fibre. These provide you with lots of energy and help to keep you feel fuller for longer which stops the temptation to snack mid-morning on festive treats.</p> <p>If you try to achieve these 5 key tips for the winter months you will stay healthy and active! Summer is only around the corner.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:82 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/heart-probe-covers Heart Probe Covers <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/hearts2.jpg" alt="heart probe cover pair" width="520" height="385" /></p> <p>The importance of&nbsp;<strong>accurate temperature</strong>&nbsp;maintenance in incubators and radiant warmers are&nbsp;<strong>clinically shown</strong>&nbsp;in investigations. This is in order to properly&nbsp;<strong>manager apnea</strong>,<strong>metabolic rate</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>insensible water loss</strong>. Our&nbsp;<strong>Tarry</strong>&nbsp;<strong>disposable temperature probe covers</strong>&nbsp;allow you to keep the probe in place for&nbsp;<strong>accurate readings</strong>&nbsp;of patient&rsquo;s true skin temperature. It provides a gentle method of securing temperature probes to fragile skin. They are easy to reposition and are&nbsp;<strong>comfortable</strong>&nbsp;for the patient.</p> <p>Our probe covers are a&nbsp;<strong>next generation adhesive design</strong>&nbsp;that comes in a range of sizes, shapes and&nbsp;<strong>metallic colours</strong>&nbsp;to help you secure the probe in the best way possible.&nbsp; They are designed for&nbsp;<strong>single patient</strong>&nbsp;use during the patient&rsquo;s length of stay,<strong>decreasing potential risk</strong>&nbsp;of&nbsp;<strong>cross contamination</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>improving your hospital recovery costs</strong>.</p> <p>The probe covers are&nbsp;<strong>highly reflective</strong>, with an&nbsp;<strong>added foam insulation</strong>&nbsp;that serves a<strong>superior barrier</strong>&nbsp;against both&nbsp;<strong>radiant heat</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>ambient</strong>. Our popular metallic colours include&nbsp;<strong>silver</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>gold</strong>, which are the perfect seasonal colours. It will create a touch of festivity for your patients. The superior probe cover is&nbsp;<strong>easy to remove</strong>&nbsp;and leaves&nbsp;<strong>no skin residue</strong>.</p> <p>To find out more information on this product, please call our sales team on the contact information above or leave a comment on the blog post below!</p> <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/hearts1.jpg" alt="Heart Probe Covers" width="520" height="385" /></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:81 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/express-breast-milk-labels Express Breast Milk Labels <p><img style="undefined" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/breastmilk1.jpg" alt="Express Breast Milk Labels" width="520" height="385" /></p> <p>Today, most women in England are choosing to&nbsp;<strong>breastfeed</strong>&nbsp;as it is the only&nbsp;<strong>natural food</strong>designed for a baby. Breastfeeding is the&nbsp;<strong>healthiest</strong>&nbsp;way to feed a baby. The breastfeed will be in the N<strong>eonatal Ward</strong>&nbsp;at the hospital where the baby is born. Breast feeding has many&nbsp;<strong>benefits</strong>&nbsp;which include:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Protecting</strong>&nbsp;the baby from infections and diseases.</li> <li>Provides&nbsp;<strong>health benefits</strong>&nbsp;for the&nbsp;<strong>baby</strong>.</li> <li>Provides&nbsp;<strong>health benefits</strong>&nbsp;for the&nbsp;<strong>mum</strong>.</li> <li>It&rsquo;s&nbsp;<strong>free</strong>.</li> <li>It&rsquo;s&nbsp;<strong>available whenever</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>wherever&nbsp;</strong>the baby needs a feed.</li> <li>It&rsquo;s the&nbsp;<strong>right temperature</strong>.</li> <li>It can&nbsp;<strong>build a strong physical</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>emotional bond</strong>&nbsp;between mother and baby.</li> <li>It can give the mum a great&nbsp;<strong>sense of achievement</strong>.</li> </ul> <p>Although these are the&nbsp;<strong>overall benefits</strong>&nbsp;of breastfeeding, there are also benefits which<strong>affect breast fed babies</strong>. These include:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Less chance</strong>&nbsp;of&nbsp;<strong>diarrhea</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>vomiting&nbsp;</strong>and having to go to hospital as a result</li> <li><strong>Fewer chest</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>ear infections</strong>&nbsp;and having to go to hospital as a result</li> <li><strong>Less chance</strong>&nbsp;of being&nbsp;<strong>constipated</strong></li> <li><strong>Less likelihood of becoming obese</strong>&nbsp;and therefore developing&nbsp;<strong>type 2 diabetes</strong>&nbsp;and other Illnesses later in life</li> <li><strong>Less</strong>&nbsp;chance of&nbsp;<strong>developing eczema</strong></li> </ul> <p>At&nbsp;<strong>Repton Medical</strong>, we provide a wide range of&nbsp;<strong>neonatal products</strong>&nbsp;to hospital maternity wards. One of our<strong>&nbsp;specialised</strong>&nbsp;products is our&nbsp;<strong>&lsquo;Expressed Breast Milk&rsquo;</strong>&nbsp;<strong>labels&nbsp;</strong>which help you on the ward to organise the breast milk.</p> <p>There are&nbsp;<strong>three</strong>&nbsp;different versions of our expressed breast milk labels. These include<strong>&ldquo;Date Added&rdquo;</strong>,&nbsp;<strong>&ldquo;Signature&rdquo;</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>&ldquo;Thick and Easy Amount&rdquo;</strong>. These different labels allow you to write the correct information for the breast milk.</p> <p>As&nbsp;<strong>we produce these labels in house</strong>, we make sure they are the&nbsp;<strong>best quality</strong>&nbsp;for our customers. If you don&rsquo;t see the label you require, please feel free to contact us with your requirements.</p> <p><br /><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/breastmilk2.jpg" alt="labels" width="520" height="385" /></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:80 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/christmas-neonatal-hats Christmas Neonatal Hats <p><img style="undefined" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/tarrycap1.jpg" alt="Christmas Neonatal Hats" width="518" height="273" /></p> <p>After last year&rsquo;s success, we are continuing to sell our&nbsp;<strong>seasonal hats for seasonal babies</strong>. Our Tarry Caps help to keep your babies warm and comfortable during hospital treatment. The colourful, latex-free, knit fabric helps to reduce heat loss from the baby&rsquo;s head.</p> <p>Alongside our usual line of Tarry Caps (which come in a variety of colours and sizes) we now have a&nbsp;<strong>limited edition</strong>&nbsp;green and red striped hat which enhances the&nbsp;<strong>Christmas festivity</strong>. For all babies born during the winter season why not bring some Christmas cheer to your ward and contact us now to send for your free sample or to place an order with&nbsp;<strong>immediate next day delivery</strong>.</p> <p>We wish you a Merry Festive Period!!</p> <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/tarrycap2.jpg" alt="Tarry Cap" width="518" height="273" /></p> <p>Repton Medical is a supplier of high quality patient safety neonatal and paediatric products, helping you to provide the very best in patient care.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:79 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/neonatal-trach-ties Neonatal Trach Ties <p><img style="undefined" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/foam_trach_tie.jpg" alt="Neonatal Trach Ties" width="518" height="273" /></p> <p>Today we are looking at a popular Posey product called &ldquo;<a title="Foam Trach Ties" href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/shop/critical-care/trach-ties/">Foam Trach Ties</a>&rdquo; which is a one-piece collar that helps to secure tracheotomy tubes. This product is used on patients who require respiratory therapy and is designed to hold a tracheal tube or oxygen cannula in place. They are also designed to help prevent removal, extubation, and decannulation during severe coughing spasms.</p> <p>The Trach Ties can be used on all ages, whether the patient is new born or a full grown adult. One of the&nbsp;<strong>most important facts</strong>&nbsp;about the Trach Ties is that they are single patient use only and should be disposed of if they become soiled. Otherwise an infection can greatly increase the recovery time of the patient. You should replace them on a regular basis but how often they are replaced will depend on the policy at your facility. Please make sure you follow you facility policy before using Trach Ties on a patient.</p> <p>Before applying a Trach Tie, be sure to check the product for cuts, broken stitching or any torn parts. Any damaged parts can cause injury to the patient and should never be used. Simply dispose of the broken trach tie and replace it with another. Also when applying, please check that the hook part of the Velcro fits firmly onto the white fuzzy backing, if it fails to attach properly, please discard and replace.&nbsp;<strong>All Trach Ties should fit securely</strong>&nbsp;and loose ones may cause problems in the patient&rsquo;s treatment.</p> <p>The Posey Trach Ties can be used to secure a Tracheal Tube to the neck or they can be used as an Oxygen Cannula support applied around the back of the neck or over the top of the head, you can read the fitting instructions for both on our website via the Foam Trach Tie product page.</p> <p>If this product is something your facility is considering using but you would like further information or a trial please contact us on our&nbsp;<a title="Contact Us" href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/contact-us/">contact page</a>&nbsp;for&nbsp;<strong>free samples</strong>. We are more than happy to help you implement this product into your facility.</p> <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/foam_trach_tie2.jpg" alt="Foam Trach tie" width="518" height="273" /></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:58 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/dont-slip Don’t Slip <p><img style="undefined" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/sockgrip.jpg" alt="Don&rsquo;t Slip" width="518" height="273" /></p> <p>In last week&rsquo;s blog we mentioned our fall management socks that have been colour coded for use in hospitals and care homes to help identify fall risk patients, but that is not where their medical use ends, there are still many benefits to using the socks than just the colour coding.</p> <p>One such use is becoming more relevant as the winter season gets closer and closer and we start feeling the cold. The fall management socks are thick and warm, perfect for the cold months ahead. This winter is looking to be a cold one and with heating costs on the rise again every little bit of warmth can help.</p> <p>Our socks are not just for medical use, their primary function is exactly the same as normal every day socks. With this in mind wearing them around the house can not only help prevent slips and falls, but also keep you warm as well.</p> <p>The socks help prevent slips and fall by using special grips that surround the fabric. Where non-slip socks have grips on the sole of the foot, our socks grip surrounds the foot. An all too common problem with thick socks is that they can twist around the feet, and if this happens with an average pair of non-slip socks, this means that the grip moves to the top of the foot, not the bottom, defeating the purpose of the sock. With the grip that surrounds the foot on our socks, even if the sock twists and turns there is no possibility of the grip moving away from the base of the foot.</p> <p>Whether you&rsquo;re walking around a hospital or care home, or walking around your own home, these socks will help prevent you from slipping on smooth surfaces, and at the same time they&rsquo;ll keep you warm this winter.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:52 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/introducing-daza-alarms Introducing Daza Alarms <p><strong>Repton Medical</strong>&nbsp;is your partner for&nbsp;<strong>falls prevention</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>protection</strong>&nbsp;as well as providing health care products for the elderly. We realise the importance to find new products to offer you alternative solutions for your fall prevention programmes. This year we have began working with a company from the Netherlands named Daza who specialise in electronic fall sensors and monitors. Daza began developing safety monitoring solutions in the year 2000 and they are now widely used in the European healthcare sector. Encouraged by strong results and the acknowledgement of health care professionals, Daza has now become a&nbsp;<strong>market leader</strong>&nbsp;in the Netherlands in the field of&nbsp;<em>electronic fall prevention</em>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<em>patient safety</em>. We are privileged to be the only UK based company to introduce their products into the UK healthcare market. The Optiseat and Optiscan fall alarms are two products we believe provides a solution for you, aimed at&nbsp;<strong>reducing falls</strong>and monitoring the Optiscan detects when a patient gets out of bed and the Optiseat detects the moment the patient rises from their chair.</p> <p>The&nbsp;<strong>benefits</strong>&nbsp;of the&nbsp;<strong>Optiscan</strong>&nbsp;are endless&hellip;</p> <p>&bull; Provides an insight into the nightly behaviour of the patients<br />&bull; Helps to improve patients day and night rythm<br />&bull; Helps prevent unsafe behaviour in the room without compromising the patient/ resident<br />&bull; Provides more privacy for the patient<br />&bull; Helps to reduces work load for the nursing staff, saving you time and money</p> <p>To view these two products, please visit our new&nbsp;<strong>YouTube</strong>&nbsp;page-<a href="http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNDg5oKb1ETpTlOWqsJxk6Q">http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNDg5oKb1ETpTlOWqsJxk6Q</a>.</p> <p>http://www.daza.nl/ENGELS/index1.php</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:57 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/colour-coding-the-way Colour Coding the Way <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/emb1.jpg" alt="Colour Coding the Way" width="600" height="600" /></p> <p>In&nbsp;<a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/the-anti-embolism-stocking/">last weeks blog</a>&nbsp;we wrote about our latest product, the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/product-category/fall-protection-prevention-elderly-care/anti-embolism-stockings/">Anti-Embolism Stockings</a>, and this week we will be continuing the same theme but we will be focusing on the the colour coding of the stockings.</p> <p>Like many of our products, one reason why hospitals find our Anti-Embolism Stockings useful is because of the colour coding on them. In a busy ward where there are many patients, each patient is at risk of falling when they get out of bed, some more so than others, such as the elderly, but without going to each one individually it would be hard to know who is most at risk. This becomes even more problematic when you take into consideration that the nurses working on the ward will be working in shifts; the patients may be in the hospital 24/7 until they are better but the nurses will only be there a limited time and so when the replacement shift arrives, they need to know who is and who isn&rsquo;t at risk. The easiest way to do this is by having colour coded products.</p> <p>A large amount of hospitals in the UK now have strict colour coding guidelines for their patients, the colour may be different for each hospital but the system remains the same, if a patient is a fall risk then any product provided by a hospital will be a certain colour, for example our&nbsp;<a href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/?s=socks&amp;post_type=product">fall management socks</a>, these come in yellow, red, purple, green and orange and generally speaking, a trust will only buy one colour which matches their current fall prevention policy. It is the same with our Anti-Embolism Stockings, they are colour coded so that hospital staff can spot patients at a distance that are at risk of falling without having to check up on their medical history while at the same time the patients do not feel as though they have been labelled.</p> <p>All around this discreet method of identifying patients helps to make the patient safer from a visual point of view, and then with its additional features, such as the non-slip tread safe grip, the patients stay in hospital will be as safe as it can be.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:75 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/pressure-relief-slippers Pressure Relief Slippers <p><strong>Pressure Ulcers</strong>&nbsp;cost the healthcare system in&nbsp;<strong>Europe</strong>&nbsp;up to&nbsp;<strong>4%</strong>&nbsp;of their&nbsp;<strong>annual budget</strong>. As more and more people are developing pressure ulcers it is creating a huge cost problem for the&nbsp;<strong>healthcare system</strong>. Pressure ulcers are a localised injury to the skin or underlying tissue that usually develops over a bony prominence as a result of pressure or pressure with shear or frictional forces.</p> <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/pressure-slipper.jpg" alt="Pressure Relief Slippers" width="520" height="311" /></p> <p>At&nbsp;<strong>Repton Medical</strong>&nbsp;we want to provide you with the&nbsp;<strong>best products and solutions</strong>&nbsp;to help you&nbsp;<strong>achieve the best wound management solutions&nbsp;</strong>and to also&nbsp;<strong>reduce your costs</strong>&nbsp;in this area.</p> <p><strong>The Pressure Relief Slipper</strong>&nbsp;from&nbsp;<strong>Posey</strong>&nbsp;is designed to protect the heel from ulcers. The&nbsp;<strong>open design</strong>&nbsp;allows air to freely flow around the heel to reduce the risk. The sling back adjusts with a hook and loop fastener which&nbsp;<strong>allows easy foot access</strong>. The slippers are made from soft, synthetic fur which is&nbsp;<strong>machine washable</strong>. This product doesn&rsquo;t only protect from pressure ulcers it also helps to<strong>&nbsp;prevent falls</strong>&nbsp;with the non-skid soles. The Pressure Relief Slippers are available in two different sizes &lsquo;S-M&rsquo; and &lsquo;M-L&rsquo; which will hopefully fit any required patient in your ward.</p> <h3>Winter Promotion!!</h3> <p>Using the Pressure Relief Slippers will help to<strong>&nbsp;reduce the cost</strong>&nbsp;of looking after patients, be it in the&nbsp;<strong>hospital, nursing home</strong>&nbsp;or at&nbsp;<strong>home</strong>. Over the winter months we are giving a<strong>50% discount</strong>&nbsp;on all of our Pressure Relief Slippers. They not only reduce the risk of pressure ulcers but they are thick and fluffy on the inside which will keep in the warmth through the cold season ahead.</p> <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/pressure-slipper2.jpg" alt="pressure slipper" width="520" height="385" /></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:74 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/prevention-is-the-best-cure Prevention is the best Cure <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/patient_roll.jpg" alt="Prevention is the best Cure" width="350" height="248" /></p> <p>Previously we have talked about&nbsp;<a title="how to spot a pressure ulcer before it becomes a serious problem" href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/how-to-spot-a-pressure-ulcer-before-it-becomes-a-serious-problem/">how to spot a pressure ulcer before it becomes a serious problem</a>&nbsp;and in this blog we will cover some of the ways that can help prevent pressure ulcers in the first instance.</p> <p>Pressure Ulcers are very easy to get without even realising that you have one, and when you do get a pressure ulcer, it is usually too late and it&rsquo;s very likely that months of recovery time awaits you. In the worst cases it can take years to recover, and so prevention is always the best solution.</p> <p>The best ways to prevent pressure ulcers are&hellip;</p> <ul> <li>Shifting your wait regularly to relieve pressure (or letting nurses and/or carers help you with this)</li> <li>Eating a well balanced diet (if medical treatment allows)</li> <li>Drinking more fluids (if medical treatment allows)</li> <li>Allowing nurses and/or carers to look at your skin</li> <li>Informing nurses and/or carers if you have bladder or bowel problems</li> </ul> <p>There are also products around that will help you to effortlessly prevent pressure ulcers, one of which is the&nbsp;<a title="Posey Pro heelx" href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/shop/heel-offloading-devices/pro-heelx-boot/">Pro-heeLx by Posey</a>. You can read more about this on our previous blog &ldquo;<a title="The Wound Problem" href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/the-wound-problem/">The Wound Problem</a>&rdquo;.</p> <p>If you are worried about a pressure ulcer forming on either yourself or a loved one, make sure you,</p> <p>1) Understand the importance of changing position of you or the patient on a regular basis, day and night, even if you (or the patient) are sleeping, but losing a few minutes sleep is better than a few months recovering from a pressure ulcer</p> <p>2) Help keep your skin clean and dry.</p> <p>3) Use mattresses and clothing based products (eg PRO-heeLx) that are specially designed to prevent pressure ulcers</p> <p>4) Use a specialist cushion to sit on if you are able to sit in a chair.</p> <p>If you have further questions or concerns about pressure ulcers please don&rsquo;t hesitate to speak to the nurse and/or carer looking after you. Never think that you are being a bother by asking questions, sometimes it is better raise concerns than live with the alternatives.</p> <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/pressure-ulcer-problem-main.gif" alt="pressure ulcer problem" width="605" height="295" /></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:73 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/how-to-spot-a-pressure-ulcer-before-it-becomes-a-serious-problem How to spot a Pressure Ulcer before it becomes a Serious Problem <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/skin_diagram.jpg" alt="How to spot a Pressure Ulcer before it becomes a Serious Problem" width="400" height="320" /></p> <p>If you are worried about a family member or yourself having the possibility of getting a pressure ulcer then please read one of our previous blogs on how to prevent a pressure ulcer from happening, either &ldquo;<a title="Bed Sores &amp; Pressure Ulcers" href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/bedsores-and-pressure-ulcers/">Bedsores and Pressure Ulcers</a>&rdquo; or &ldquo;<a title="The Wound Problem" href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/the-wound-problem/">The Wound Problem</a>&rdquo;. Both articles will provide helpful hints and information about avoiding pressure ulcers ever happening to you, the ones you love or those under your care.</p> <p>It can be very difficult to spot a pressure ulcer in the early stages of development, however if you know what to look for it can make it much easier.</p> <p>Some symptoms can include:</p> <ul> <li>Pain and/or discomfort over the pressure points of the patients body (see image)</li> <li>Redness and/or bruising</li> <li>Breaks in the patients skin</li> </ul> <p>The above symptoms can of course be attributed to other conditions. Therefore&nbsp;<strong>how would you know if you or your patient is at risk of developing a pressure ulcer</strong>? In truth is it very hard to tell but below we have got a list of the most common causes of getting a pressure ulcer and the most common types of people who are at risk of developing a pressure ulcer.</p> <p>Common Causes:</p> <ul> <li>Lack of movement</li> <li>Not eating well/enough</li> <li>Not drinking enough</li> <li>Damp and/or moist skin</li> <li>Loss of sensation in pressure points</li> </ul> <p>People at Risk:</p> <ul> <li>People with difficulty moving or shifting their own weight</li> <li>Those unable to feel pain on areas of their body</li> <li>Those with limited bladder or bowel control</li> <li>After surgery</li> <li>People who are seriously ill</li> <li>Those with a poor diet or low fluid intake</li> <li>Smokers</li> <li>People with poor blood circulation</li> <li>The Very Old</li> <li>The Very Young</li> <li>Overweight</li> <li>Underweight</li> <li>Those with previous pressure ulcer damage</li> </ul> <p>If you believe you, a family member, or patient under your care is at risk then please seek medical advice immediately. Please always remember that it is very easy to avoid a pressure ulcer if you use the correct products and equipment, however once you get a pressure ulcer it is very costly and time consuming to treat.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:72 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/the-wound-problem The Wound Problem <ul> <li>Pressure Ulcers cost the healthcare system in Europe up to 4% of their annual budget</li> <li>According to one study, over 500,000 people develop a pressure ulcer annually in the UK alone</li> <li>The cost in the UK is &pound;1.4 &ndash; &pound;2.1 billion annually</li> <li>More than 55 million people in the European region have diabetes and 15% of diabetics will develop at least 1 foot ulcer.</li> </ul> <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/pressureulcer2.jpg" alt="The wound problem" width="518" height="273" /></p> <p>The NPUAP (National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel) describes a pressure ulcer as a localised injury to the skin and/or underlying tissue that usually develops over a bony prominence as a result of pressure or pressure with shear or friction forces. This means it is not usually an injury you will get in everyday life, it is something that will be happen to you while you are in hospital and remain motionless for long periods of time. Usually the average person will roll or shift their weight when they are in one position for a long time, this is why it is not caused when sleeping at night or sitting down to work, however when you are in a hospital the freedom to move around isn&rsquo;t always an option the patient has.</p> <p>The&nbsp;<a title="PRO heeLx" href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/shop/heel-offloading-devices/pro-heelx-boot/">Pro-heeLx</a>&nbsp;from Posey is a premium high quality heel offloading device designed to prevent heel ulcers before they even begin to form.</p> <p>That is why products like the Pro heeLx exist, they prevent the pressure ulcer from ever happening by greatly reducing the weight on the heel. If you are unfortunate enough to be in a hospital bed the last thing you want to happen is that you pick up a further injury in the form of a pressure ulcer because once you have one it will extend your stay in hospital greatly. Once the ulcer forms you cannot put any pressure onto it otherwise it will get progressively worse over time and make your original treatment much more difficult.</p> <p>It is not just people in hospital at risk though, this can also happen to the elderly in care homes if they are sitting or lying down for extended periods. Those with conditions that effect the blood flow, such as type 2 diabetes, are at much greater risk and so using products like the Pro heeLx makes looking after the elderly much easier.</p> <p>Using the Pro heeLx is a premium grade product but it has been proven to reduce costs of looking after patients, be it in the hospital or in a nursing home. The way it works is that to prevent a pressure ulcer a patient needs to be turned and rotated in bed so that the ulcer can&rsquo;t form, this take a lot of time up in the nurses schedule which could be spent better looking after other patients, while if the Pro heeLx is used, shifting the weight of the patient only needs to happen once or twice every 24hours.</p> <p>If you would like to see a full clinical study on the&nbsp;<a title="PRO heeLx" href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/shop/heel-offloading-devices/pro-heelx-boot/">Pro heeLx</a>&nbsp;you can view or download the study &ldquo;<a title="Discover the Posey Heeling Power" href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/clinicalstudies/pro-heelx/PRO-heeLx.pdf">Descover the Posey Heeling Power</a>&rdquo; in our&nbsp;<a title="Repton Medical Clinical Studies" href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/clinical-studies2/">Clinical Studies</a>&nbsp;section.</p> <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/proheelx2.jpg" alt="Pro HeeLX" width="518" height="273" /></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:71 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/bedsores-and-pressure-ulcers Bedsores and Pressure Ulcers <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/blog1banner.jpg" alt="Bedsores and Pressure Ulcers" width="338" height="374" /></p> <p>There may be times over the course of a patients treatment that they are required to remain motionless in bed for long periods of time, or sit still in a wheelchair for extended periods&hellip; this is when Pressure Ulcers can form. Also commonly referred to as &ldquo;Bedsores&rdquo; or &ldquo;Pressure Sores&rdquo; they can form over short periods of time if a large amount of pressure is applied to an area of skin, or over a long period of time with constant pressure on an area of skin. This can drastically slow down the patients&rsquo; recovery from their original treatment, extending their stay in hospital, further increasing the cost of the treatment to the NHS.</p> <p>Those that suffer from medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, have an increased chance of getting pressure ulcers if not positioned correctly when they are in a fixed position and movement is restricted for long periods of time. The elderly are also at risk and vulnerable to pressure ulcers in this way because pressure ulcers will form when a patient is sitting or lying down in bed or extended periods of time.</p> <p>Heel Ulcers are the second most common type of pressure ulcer but at the same time they are one of the hardest to avoid! Pressure Ulcers can come in many different forms, ranging from patches of discoloured skin to wounds that expose muscle and bone. The best way to treat them is to prevent them before the pressure ulcer ever happens in the first place. This may sound easier said than done and something said in hindsight, however with the creation of products such as the &ldquo;<strong><a title="Posey Pro-heeLx Boot" href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/shop/heel-offloading-devices/pro-heelx-boot/" target="_blank">Posey PRO-heeLx Boot</a></strong>&ldquo;, which is designed to prevent heel ulcers and foot drop.</p> <p>Once a patient has a pressure ulcer they cannot sit or lay on the ulcer until it has been healed, which makes treatment extremely difficult and costly. Most pressure ulcers can be avoided by rolling the patient in bed so that their weight is shifted and the ulcer doesn&rsquo;t have time to form, however it is not a perfect solution that always works and ulcers can still form, so a variety of offloading devices (such as the&nbsp;<strong><a title="Posey Pro-heeLx Boot" href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/shop/heel-offloading-devices/pro-heelx-boot/" target="_blank">Posey PRO-heeLx</a></strong>&nbsp;) can prevent heel ulcers by positioning a patients foot and lower leg correctly so that the leg can remain in position for 24 hours a day, removing the need for constant repositioning by hospital staff, therefore saving time, money and the need of extended stays in hospital, or in some cases where the patient has to return to hospital because of an ulcer that was discovered after being released from hospital, and so for the long term and short term, this can allow for a much easier treatment of the patient.</p> <p>There has been a clinical study showing the&nbsp;<a title="Discover the Posey &quot;Heeling&quot; Power" href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/images/clinicalstudies/pro-heelx/PRO-heeLx.pdf" target="_blank">benefits of the Posey PRO heeLx</a>&nbsp;which you can also read on our website in the clinical studies section.</p> <p>Be sure to follow us on Twitter&nbsp;<a title="Repton Medical Twitter Page" href="https://twitter.com/ReptonMedical" target="_blank">@ReptonMedical</a>&nbsp;to get the latest blog updates.</p> <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/pressureulcer1.jpg" alt="Positions" width="544" height="430" /></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:44 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/ebola-virus-disease Ebola Virus Disease <p align="left"><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/ebola1.jpg" alt="Ebola Virus Disease" width="300" height="200" /></p> <h1 align="left">Ebola Virus Disease</h1> <p align="left">Ebola virus disease is a serious, usually fatal, disease for which there are no licensed vaccines or treatments. The disease was first identified in Africa in the mid 1970s. It is thought that the Ebola virus has been living harmlessly in fruit bats for many years, building up in this population and spreading to other forest animals including chimpanzees and gorillas. It is likely that the virus makes its way into people after they butcher or handle dead animals contaminated with the virus. The current outbreak which was identified in March 2014 is the most serious case so far. There have been 1,000 recorded deaths from the disease in August 2014 in countries such as Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria.</p> <p align="left">Currently, there have been no cases of Ebola in the UK and it remains a low threat. Experts studying the virus believe it is very unlikely the disease would spread within the UK even if it arrived in the country. The likelihood of catching Ebola in the UK is considered very low unless you have travelled to a known infected area and had direct contact with a person with Ebola symptoms, or had contact with an infected animal or contaminated object. &nbsp;While it is possible that someone infected with Ebola could arrive in the UK on a plane, the virus is not as easily transmitted as a respiratory virus such as influenza. The UK has a world class public health system with the trained staff and facilities necessary to contain cases of Ebola.</p> <p align="left">Ebola victims do not become infectious until shortly before they develop symptoms. The disease then progresses very rapidly. This means infectious people do not walk around spreading the disease for a long period. It typically takes 5-7 days for symptoms to develop after infection, so there is time to identify people who may have been exposed, put them under surveillance and if they show symptoms, quarantine them. You cannot catch Ebola through social contact or by travelling on a plane with someone who is infected, without direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person.</p> <p align="left"><strong>What are the symptoms?</strong></p> <p align="left">An infected person will typically develop a fever, headache, joint and muscle pain, sore throat and intense muscle weakness. These symptoms start suddenly, between 2 and 21 days after becoming infected, but usually after 5-7 days.</p> <p align="left">Diarrhoea, vomiting, a rash, stomach pain and impaired kidney and liver function follow. The patient will then start to bleed internally, and may also bleed from the ears, eyes, nose or mouth. The Ebola virus disease is fatal in 50-90% of cases. The sooner a person is given care, the better the chances they will survive.</p> <p align="left"><strong>How is it treated?</strong></p> <p align="left">At the moment there is no specific treatment or licensed vaccine for the Ebola virus, although potential new vaccines and drug therapies are being developed and tested.</p> <p align="left">Patients need to be placed in isolation in intensive care. Dehydration is common, so fluids may be given directly into a vein. Blood oxygen levels and blood pressure need to be maintained at the right level and body organs supported while the patient&rsquo;s body fights the disease and any other infections are treated.</p> <p align="left"><strong>Advice for travellers:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Don&rsquo;t handle dead animals or their raw meat</li> <li>Don&rsquo;t eat &lsquo;bushmeat&rsquo;</li> <li>Avoid contact with patients who have symptoms</li> <li>Avoid having sex with people in risk areas</li> <li>Make sure fruit and vegetables is washed and peeled before you eat it</li> <li>Wash hands frequently using soap and water</li> </ul> <p align="left"><strong>What to do if you think you may have the Ebola disease in the UK?</strong></p> <p align="left">If you feel unwell with symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, sore throat or rash within 21 days of coming back from Guinea, Liberia or Sierra Leone, you should stay at home and immediately call 111 or 999 to explain that have you recently visited West Africa. These services will provide advice and arrange for you to be seen in a hospital if necessary so the cause of your illness can be determined.</p> <p align="left">There are other illnesses that are much more common than Ebola such as flu, typhoid fever and malaria that have similar symptoms in the early stages.</p> <p>To find out further information on the Ebola virus disease please visit the&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ebola-virus/Pages/Ebola-virus.aspx?app_data=%7B%22pi%22%3A%2253635_1408090781_455940115%22%2C%22pt%22%3A%22twitter%22%7D" target="_blank">NHS website</a></strong>.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:4 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/international-youth-day International Youth Day <h1 align="left"><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/youth1.jpg" alt="International Youth Day" width="256" height="256" /></h1> <h1 align="left">International Youth Day</h1> <p align="left">Yesterday,<strong>&nbsp;Tuesday 12<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;August</strong>&nbsp;marked the day of awareness for&nbsp;<strong>International Youth Day</strong>. The theme of<strong>&nbsp;International Youth Day 2014</strong>&nbsp;is<strong>&nbsp;&ldquo;Youth and Mental Health&rdquo;</strong>. The day aims to raise awareness on this important topic as well as highlighting the experiences of brave, young individuals who have chosen to speak out about these issues.&nbsp;<strong>International Youth Day</strong>&nbsp;creates awareness for&nbsp;<strong>overcoming stigma</strong>&nbsp;and<strong>discrimination</strong>&nbsp;to ensure that young people with mental health conditions can lead full and healthy life&rsquo;s free from isolation and unnecessary shame. They want young people to openly seek the&nbsp;<strong>services</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>support</strong>&nbsp;they need.</p> <p align="left">The&nbsp;<strong>United Nations</strong>&nbsp;publication shows that&nbsp;<strong>20%</strong>&nbsp;of the world&rsquo;s young people experience a mental health condition each year. These risks are heightened through the childhood to adulthood transition. The&nbsp;<strong>United Nations</strong>&nbsp;wants to help lift the veil that keeps young people locked in a chamber of isolation and silence. There are countries where the issues of mental health are ignored and there is a lack of investment in mental health services which can create challenging barriers. This leaves them more vulnerable to&nbsp;<strong>poverty</strong>,<strong>violence</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>social exclusion</strong>&nbsp;and has a negative impact of society as a whole.</p> <p align="left">&nbsp;We need to remember that with understanding and assistance; these young people can flourish, making valuable contributions to the world&rsquo;s collective future. Wide-ranging efforts at all levels are needed to&nbsp;<strong>raise awareness</strong>&nbsp;about the importance of&nbsp;<strong>investing</strong>&nbsp;in and&nbsp;<strong>supporting</strong>&nbsp;young people with mental health conditions.</p> <p align="left">&nbsp;To find out more or to ask your mental health questions please follow<strong>&nbsp;<a title="UN4Youth" href="https://twitter.com/UN4Youth" target="_blank">@UN4Youth</a></strong>.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:27 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/keeping-cool Keeping Cool <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/quickdryslippers1.jpg" alt="Keeping Cool" width="520" height="385" /></p> <p>As we are in the height of summer time in the UK, keeping cool is something we are all trying to achieve. One of the main ways to keep cool in the heat is to take cold showers or baths. About&nbsp;<strong>one third</strong>&nbsp;of the elderly population&nbsp;<strong>over the age of 65 fall each year</strong>. Falls can be caused by numerous incidents, but one of the main causes is in a<strong>bathroom environment</strong>. Wet slippery floors, high tub walls to step over and confined spaces can make bathrooms dangerous for just about anyone, let alone the elderly and people with limited mobility.</p> <p align="left"><strong>Key Shower and Bathtub Safety Areas</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>Using a sliding glass shower door for stability or balance</strong>&nbsp;&ndash; This problem was observed in three-quarters of the older adults who use shower stalls with sliding glass doors. These doors aren&rsquo;t designed to support a person&rsquo;s weight and they are extremely unsafe.</li> </ul> <ul> <li><strong>Using unsafe shower and bathtub and bathtub features</strong>&nbsp;&ndash; While the majority of study participants used shower and bathtub safety equipment like grab bars when they were available, many used unsafe features in addition to the safe ones.</li> </ul> <p align="left"><strong>Bathroom safety</strong>&nbsp;needs to be improved and adjusted to suit the life of elderly people. One way in which you can improve your own&nbsp;<strong>personal safety</strong>&nbsp;in the shower is by using the&nbsp;<a title="Posey Shower Slippers" href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/shop/fall-management/quick-dry-slippers/" target="_blank"><strong>Posey Shower Slippers</strong></a>. These are designed for patients who need<strong>&nbsp;footwear</strong>&nbsp;to<strong>reduce the risk of falling</strong>. Wet surfaces can cause an elderly person to slip but wearing these slippers will provide&nbsp;<strong>extra grip</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>improve stability</strong>&nbsp;to reduce the risk of a fall.</p> <p align="left">&nbsp;To find out more on this Posey product please visit our&nbsp;<a title="Quick Dry Shower Slippers" href="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/shop/fall-management/quick-dry-slippers/" target="_blank">eCommerce website</a>&nbsp;where we provide a full product description.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:43 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/enjoy-the-sun-safely Enjoy the Sun Safely <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/flowers1.jpg" alt="Enjoy the Sun Safely" width="227" height="300" /></p> <h1>Heat and Sun</h1> <p align="left">Over the past few weeks the UK has been experiencing a summer heatwave. Whilst many of us like to enjoy the sun, we must make sure we do it safely and remember that certain groups of people are more vulnerable than others to the effects of heat or ultraviolet radiation. Our bodies aren&rsquo;t used to extreme heat and it can force the body into overdrive as it tries to stay cool through perspiration and evaporation. Elderly people are at a higher risk when the hot weather arrives. Over exposure to the sun is equally as dangerous, with effects ranging from skin cancer to mild sunburn.</p> <p align="left">We want to give you guidance on what to do during an experiencing a heatwave.</p> <p align="left"><strong>Cool yourself down</strong></p> <ul> <li>Drink plenty of cold fluids to keep the body hydrated and avoid excess alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks</li> <li>Eat food with high water content, particularly cold foods like salads and fruits</li> <li>Take cool showers</li> <li>Sprinkle water over the skin or refresh yourself with a damp cloth on the back of your neck</li> <li>Avoid too much exercise, which can cause heat exhaustion or heat stroke</li> <li>Try to avoid been out in the sun between 11am-3pm when the day is at its hottest temperature. Seek shade when possible.</li> <li>Wear light weight, light colour clothing with a high factor sunscreen.<strong>&nbsp;</strong></li> </ul> <p align="left"><strong>Keep your environment cool:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Your living space needs to keep cool, particularly important for the elderly or those with chronic health conditions</li> <li>Turn off non-essential lights and electrical equipment as these generate heat.</li> <li>Closing blinds and curtains will help to keep your house cool</li> </ul> <p align="left">If you have elderly family members, friends or neighbors please make sure you visit them daily to make sure they are healthy and keeping cool. Health risks can become very high when you are hot and the body starts to become dehydrated.</p> <p align="left">Please remember it doesn&rsquo;t have to hot for the UV index to be high.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:26 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/preventing-alzheimers Preventing Alzheimer’s? <p align="left"><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/elderly4.jpg" alt="Preventing Alzheimers" width="300" height="300" /></p> <p align="left">This week a new health report was published regarding ways to prevent the Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease. According to research from the&nbsp;<strong><em>University of Cambridge</em></strong>, one in three cases of Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease worldwide is preventable. This is a step forward for the healthcare industry as successful treatment for Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease is still in the research stages.</p> <p align="left">&nbsp;Clinical research says the main risk factors for the disease are a lack of exercise, smoking, depression and poor education. Although these contribute to causing Alzheimer&rsquo;s, the biggest risk factor for the disease is still age.</p> <p align="left">&nbsp;The Cambridge team analysed the population-based data to work out the main seven risk factors for Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease. These are:</p> <ul> <li>Diabetes</li> <li>Mid-life hypertension</li> <li>Mid-life obesity</li> <li>Physical inactivity</li> <li>Depression</li> <li>Smoking</li> <li>Low educational attainment</li> </ul> <p align="left">Lifestyle changes can be linked to preventing the disease for the future by increasing day to day exercise and stopping smoking. The researchers even looked into how reducing these factors could affect the number of future Alzheimer cases. They found that by reducing each risk factor by 10% will prevent nearly nine million cases of the disease by 2050. They also calculated that in the UK, a 10% reduction in risk factors would reduce cases by 8.8% by 2050.</p> <p align="left">The current predications for Alzheimer&rsquo;s suggests that more than 106 million people worldwide will be living with Alzheimer&rsquo;s by 2050, which is more than three times the number affected in 2010.</p> <p align="left">Looking into the future, there is still much to discover about the disease but everyday researchers are becoming closer and closer to finding a preventable treatment for the life threatening disease.&nbsp; Currently there is 820,000 people in the UK living with dementia says Dr Ridley, head of research at charity Alzheimer&rsquo;s Research UK. The researchers must continue to build strong evidence around health and environmental factors to help individuals reduce their risk. Worldwide healthcare investment needs to be driven into new treatment research.</p> <p align="left">&nbsp;Repton Medical provide a wide range of elderly products which aim to protect heel ulcers, wounds, dementia and falls.</p> <p align="left">&nbsp;Have you been affected by the Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease? Please let us know your thoughts on the new research below in the comments section.</p> <p align="left">&nbsp;Research quotes were sourced from the BBC Health report<em>&nbsp;&ldquo;One in three Alzheimer&rsquo;s cases preventable, says research&rdquo;.</em></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:25 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/put-safety-first Put Safety First <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/elderly3.jpg" alt="sign up to safety" width="298" height="300" /></p> <h1 align="left">Sign up to Safety Campaign</h1> <p align="left">At Repton Medical we believe in putting&nbsp;<strong>Patient Safety</strong>&nbsp;first. Our focus is to provide&nbsp;<strong>Fall Prevention</strong>&nbsp;<strong>Solutions</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>Products&nbsp;</strong>to reduce numbers of people who fall &amp; the rate of falls in hospital and community healthcare settings. As the NHS begins to implement their&nbsp;<strong>Patient Safety</strong>&nbsp;initiative we are there to provide&nbsp;<strong>practical</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>economic solutions&nbsp;</strong>to support the campaign.</p> <p align="left">&nbsp;Last week the NHS launched their new&nbsp;<strong>Patient Safety</strong>&nbsp;campaign called&nbsp;<strong>&lsquo;Sign up to Safety&rsquo;</strong>. The&nbsp;<strong>Patient Safety</strong>&nbsp;campaign contains 5 pledges and the first pledge is to&nbsp;<strong>&lsquo;Put safety first&rsquo;</strong>. The campaign wants to reduce avoidable harm in the NHS by half. Within the NHS making the safety of patients needs to be everyone&rsquo;s top priority. The campaign aims to focus on the&nbsp;<strong>safety culture</strong>&nbsp;in the NHS and to engage clinical staff as well as enable&nbsp;<strong>behavioural change</strong>&nbsp;leading to safer, better healthcare. It is critical during this campaign that the delivery of safer, better care remains a central priority. To truly bring about a fundamental&nbsp;<strong>change&nbsp;</strong>the NHS needs to also focus on&nbsp;<strong>cultural</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>behavioural change</strong>.</p> <p align="left">&nbsp;The new campaign has followed on from the&nbsp;<strong>&lsquo;Patient Safety First&rsquo;</strong>&nbsp;campaign which was launched in 2008. The analysis learnt by the&nbsp;<strong>&lsquo;Patient Safety First&rsquo;</strong>&nbsp;campaign will be used to support the new&nbsp;<strong>&lsquo;Sign up to Safety&rsquo;</strong>&nbsp;campaign. Evidence indicates that the&nbsp;<strong>safety culture</strong>&nbsp;of an organisation was improved through&nbsp;<strong>strong leadership</strong>&nbsp;from the top of the organisation. As the campaign aims to improve the&nbsp;<strong>safety culture</strong>&nbsp;it encouraged senior staff to demonstrate their commitment to&nbsp;<strong>Patient Safety</strong>&nbsp;by signing up to the campaigns. By the end of the campaign&nbsp;<strong>61%</strong>&nbsp;of acute trusts had patient safety and quality as their first agenda item.</p> <p align="left">As with any campaign that seeks to bring&nbsp;<strong>change</strong>&nbsp;using new forms of engagement to an organisation as complex as the NHS, will have both&nbsp;<strong>successes&nbsp;</strong>and&nbsp;<strong>challenges</strong>&nbsp;through the 3 year plan. Throughout the time period for the campaign we will be analysing how the NHS has adapted to the&nbsp;<strong>Patient Safety</strong>&nbsp;campaign and what changes or visual to the patients.</p> <p align="left">What are your thoughts on the&nbsp;<strong>new &lsquo;Sign up to Safety&rsquo;</strong>&nbsp;campaign? Let us know in the comment section below.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:24 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/sign-up-to-safety-campaign Sign up to Safety Campaign <p><a href="https://www.england.nhs.uk/signuptosafety/" target="_blank"><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/safety1.jpg" alt="Sign up to Safety" width="300" height="245" /></a></p> <p>To find out more about the campaign please visit the&nbsp;<a title="Sign up to Safety" href="https://www.england.nhs.uk/signuptosafety/">Sign up to Safety&nbsp;</a>website.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:56 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/your-safety-reducing-the-risk-of-falling Your Safety: Reducing the Risk of Falling <p align="left"><strong><em><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/kit1.jpg" alt="Your Safety: Reducing the Risk of Falling" width="300" height="230" /></em></strong></p> <h2 align="left"><strong><em>Posey Fall Management Kit</em></strong></h2> <p align="left">Falls can happen to anyone at any age and they are more common as we get older. Working out what causes falls and putting them right is the key to making your patients feel&nbsp;<strong>safer</strong>&nbsp;and more&nbsp;<strong>confident</strong>.</p> <p align="left"><em>Causes of falls:</em></p> <ul> <li>Not enough exercise, which can result in weak muscles and feeling off balance.</li> <li>Not drinking enough fluids causing dehydration.</li> <li>Problems with your eyesight.</li> <li>Some medicines can lower your blood pressure too much and make you feel dizzy.</li> <li>Some medicines can affect your balance or make you drowsy.</li> <li>Drinking too much alcohol.</li> <li>Problems with your bowels or bladder.</li> <li>Clothes which don&rsquo;t fit properly.</li> <li>Shoes or slippers which don&rsquo;t support your feet properly.</li> </ul> <p align="left">&nbsp;Falls are&nbsp;<strong>common in your home</strong>&nbsp;as well as in hospitals. They can result in&nbsp;<strong>physical injuries</strong>&nbsp;such as broken bones, which can lead to hospital admissions. You need to make sure your home environment is&nbsp;<strong>fall protected</strong>&nbsp;by following the tips below.</p> <p align="left"><em>Tips for avoiding falls at home:</em></p> <ul> <li>Get your medication reviewed regularly by your doctor.</li> <li>Get your eyesight checked regularly, at least every two years.</li> <li>Keep physically active and exercise every day.</li> <li>Ensure all rooms in your home are well lit, especially on stairs and landings.</li> <li>Ensure shoes and slippers fit well and are appropriate for what you are doing.</li> <li>Take good care of your feet and toenails.</li> <li>Be aware of worn of loose carpets and rugs.</li> <li>Keep those things you use regularly within easy reach to avoid unnecessary risks.</li> <li>Keep electrical leads and clutter away from where you weak.</li> </ul> <p align="left"><em>Remember it is important to:</em></p> <ul> <li>Stay active and take regular exercise.</li> <li>Look after your feet and footwear.</li> <li>Participate in recommended falls treatments.</li> </ul> <p align="left">&nbsp;This will&nbsp;<strong>reduce the risk</strong>&nbsp;of injuries,<strong>&nbsp;reduce the need</strong>&nbsp;for you to be in hospital and allow you to be independent and&nbsp;<strong>gain more</strong>&nbsp;confidence. If you would like further support on how to protect yourself from falls, we are more than happy to help.</p> <p align="left">Next week is<strong>&nbsp;National Falls Awareness Week</strong>&nbsp;and we will be posting daily tips and tricks to help you reduce falls on our<strong>&nbsp;twitter</strong>&nbsp;page. Make sure you are following our page<a title="@ReptonMedical" href="https://twitter.com/ReptonMedical" target="_blank"><strong>@ReptonMedical</strong>&nbsp;</a>to find out more.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:42 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/patient-safety-labels Patient Safety Labels <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/labels.jpg" alt="Critical Care Syringe Labels" width="300" height="200" /></p> <h1>Critical Care Syringe Labels</h1> <p>Repton Medical is a UK supplier of&nbsp;<strong>Critical Care Medical Labels</strong>. Our range of high quality labels are great value for money and are competitively priced, helping you to<strong>SAVE MONEY</strong>&nbsp;and provide the&nbsp;<strong>BEST</strong>&nbsp;in patient safety and care.</p> <p><strong>We have a wide range of labels available including:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Critical Care Syringe Labels</li> <li>Drug Additive Labels</li> <li>Line Labels</li> <li>Information Labels</li> <li>Custom made Bespoke Labels</li> </ul> <p>Our ;<strong>Patient Safety Labels</strong>&nbsp;conform to the International Colour Code Standards for drug labels as outlined by the Royal College of Anaesthetists. The&nbsp;<strong>extra strong</strong>&nbsp;adhesive makes our labels durable to most conditions found on the ward and the&nbsp;<strong>high quality wax free</strong>&nbsp;<strong>finish&nbsp;</strong>makes them resistant to most liquids found in wards and theatres while remaining easy to write on.</p> <p>In July we are offering a&nbsp;<strong>FREE label holder</strong>&nbsp;with your order which holds 20 syringe label boxes and&nbsp;<strong>FREE DELIVERY</strong>&nbsp;on label orders over &pound;300. To request your label form, contact us NOW.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:55 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/fall-prevention-the-way-forward Fall Prevention: The Way Forward <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/socks1.jpg" alt="Fall Prevention: The Way Forward" width="329" height="325" /></p> <p>Falls among the elderly cost the&nbsp;<strong>government</strong>&nbsp;almost &pound;990 million per year. Falls occur every day for the elderly in&nbsp;<strong>retirement care homes</strong>&nbsp;and in the&nbsp;<strong>NHS hospitals</strong>. In the UK alone, over 700,000 people a year are taken to casualty as a result of a fall, many admitted to hospital with&nbsp;<strong>hip fractures</strong>&nbsp;costing the NHS &pound;1.7 bn.</p> <p align="left">As we&nbsp;<strong>live longer</strong>, there is a high emphasis on Fall Prevention and Protection. Fractures have a significant impact on the&nbsp;<strong>quality of life</strong>&nbsp;among the elderly or those with limiting disabilities, diminishing mobility, independence and self confidence.</p> <p align="left"><strong>Make the &ldquo;Never Event&rdquo; Commitment&hellip;</strong></p> <p>Our&nbsp;<strong>Posey</strong>&nbsp;commitment is to help you make falls a&nbsp;<strong>&ldquo;never event&rdquo;</strong>&nbsp;to the greatest extent possible. In everything we do, we are looking to find ways to help you more successfully<strong>prevent falls</strong>&nbsp;to keep your patients or residents safe and&nbsp;<strong>reduce cost</strong>&nbsp;in the hospital or facility, not forgetting the community too. Our promise is to prevent falls from happening; which may be achieved with little cost. To find out more about how we can help you, please contact us or send for a&nbsp;<strong>sample</strong>&nbsp;of our products, now available.&nbsp;<em>Free of charge!</em></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:2 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/dementia-awareness-week-2014 Dementia Awareness Week 2014 <p align="left"><strong><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/Cups1.jpg" alt="Dementia Awareness Week 2014" /></strong></p> <p align="left"><strong>An aging population&hellip;</strong></p> <p align="left">Dementia is a serious and progressive disease that leads to memory loss, confusion and communication problems that can make life confusing for dementia sufferers and the elderly. To increase awareness of the disease the Alzheimer&rsquo;s society has created a Dementia Awareness Week which runs from the 18<sup>th</sup>-24<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;May 2014.</p> <p align="left">&nbsp;The event aims to help sufferers and their families who are affected by dementia. If you are worried that you, or someone close to you, may have dementia it can be difficult to talk about. This might make you feel confused, scared or even ashamed. You may hope that the problem will go away so you don&rsquo;t have to deal with it. If you are seriously concerned and the problems continue it is very important to talk to someone about it. The sooner you start dealing with it, the sooner you can get control and start enjoying your life.</p> <p align="left">&nbsp;Some people have a great support network and others live alone. There is plenty of help available to assist people living alone and help them remain independent as long as possible. The Alzheimer&rsquo;s society is there for you.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.reptonuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/dontbottleitup.jpg"><br /></a></p> <p align="left">There are many ways that you could participate in the awareness week for example take part in a memory walk, hold an event or display awareness posters. Also throughout the week there will be national and regional press coverage, awareness-raising and fundraising events across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and a national advertising campaign.</p> <p align="left">&nbsp;One of the biggest problems associated with dementia are falls! At Repton Medical we are actively promoting our high quality care solutions for people with long term conditions, the elderly and sufferers of dementia. We want to provide you with the best products to help you deal with everyday problems. We have recently posted 6 blog posts on ways to help reduce the risk and protect your brain from dementia. To find out more on the awareness week, please visit the Alzheimer&rsquo;s Society website.<a href="https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/remembertheperson">https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/remembertheperson</a></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:3 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/falls-awareness-week-2014 Falls Awareness Week 2014 <h1>Repton Medical: Patient Safety First</h1> <h4><strong><em><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/falls4.jpg" alt="Falls Awareness Week 2014" /></em></strong></h4> <h4><strong><em>Helping to keep your patients / residents safe and free from falls.</em></strong></h4> <p align="left">This week is&nbsp;<strong>National Falls Awareness Week</strong>&nbsp;in the UK. Falls Awareness Week offers an opportunity for elderly people, family and carers to find out more about falls prevention. Currently there is around a third of over 65&rsquo;s and half of those over 80 who will fall every year. There are many simple things that older people can do to prevent falls. The awareness week aims to get this message across to the nation.</p> <p><strong>Are you taking part in Falls Awareness Week activities?</strong></p> <p align="left">Local events and national media coverage offers an opportunity for the elderly community to find out more about falls. You can hold your own event or attend a local event where you can develop projects and services for Falls Awareness. These events help to publicise the service and advice on safety issues and team building. If you believe you can prevent another person from sustaining an injury from a fall, it has got to be worth holding am event in your local community. Please visit&nbsp;<a title="Falls Awareness Week " href="http://profound.eu.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Age-UK-ID201142-Falls-Awareness-Week-Action-Pack-single-page-web-version-FINAL.pdf">Age UK</a>&nbsp;to find out more on how to set up your Falls Awareness event.</p> <p>&nbsp;Repton Medical is your fall prevention and protection specialist partners and we want to help you with your fall management protocols. Throughout June all our blog posts are aimed towards Falls Awareness Week. Please visit our first two blog posts of the month<a title="Blog Posts" href="http://www.reptonuk.com/?cat=27">here</a>.</p> <p align="left">&nbsp;Every day this week we will also be posting tips and tricks on our Twitter page to help you reduce the risk of falling. Please make sure you follow our page for automatic updates&nbsp;<a title="Repton Medical" href="https://twitter.com/ReptonMedical">@ReptonMedical</a>.</p> <p align="left"><strong>Spreading the Message&hellip;</strong></p> <p align="left">Please spread the word about Falls Awareness and help the nation to reduce falls and related injuries to save time, money and lives for the benefit of all. To find out more about the awareness week please visit&nbsp;<a title="Falls Awareness Age UK" href="http://www.ageuk.org.uk/professional-resources-home/services-and-practice/health-and-wellbeing/falls-awareness-week-18-22-june-2012/">Age UK&nbsp;</a>now.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:53 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/why-choose-repton-medical Why Choose Repton Medical <p><strong><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/falls3.jpg" alt="Why Choose Repton Medical" width="204" height="300" /></strong></p> <p><strong>Do you want to reduce the risk of patient/ resident harm resulting from falls?</strong></p> <p align="left">Falls and fall related injuries in older hospital patients and nursing home residents are a major problem!</p> <p align="left">Falls can occur due to many reasons which include muscle weakness, cardiovascular problems, dementia, delirium, toileting and medication.</p> <p align="left">The rate of falls can vary dramatically between different types of departments, from month to month, and between seasons. Don&rsquo;t mistake this variability for dramatic improvements in fall prevention. For example, fall rates are often 30% lower in the summer than in the winter.</p> <p align="left">Although falls are not a simple problem with a simple fix, it is still important to action now. In almost every UK hospital, falls are the most common patient safety incident with over 1,000 falls a year in a typical 600 bed hospital. The patients most vulnerable to falls have a complex mix of risk factors and need skills and knowledgeable care.</p> <p align="left">Our mission is to help you protect your patients or residents from falls. We offer practical and economical fall prevention solutions for elderly people and those at risk from falling. To receive your free sample pack of the Posey Fall Management kit please contact us by email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:marketing@reptonmedical.co.uk">marketing@reptonmedical.co.uk</a>.</p> <p align="left">We can provide guidance, literature or support to help you introduce a fall reductions programme at your facility. &nbsp;Repton Medical continues to promote patient safety and fall prevention. We are your teaching partner.</p> <p align="left"><strong>Bibliography</strong></p> <p align="left"><em>Darowski, D. A., n.d. Why FallSafe?. Care bundles to reduce inpatient falls.</em></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:54 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/tread-safe-anti-embolism-stockings Tread Safe Anti-Embolism Stockings <p><img style="undefined" src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/antiemb1.jpg" alt="Tread Safe Anti-Embolism Stockings" width="520" height="325" /></p> <h4>BRAND NEW TO THE MARKET- TREAD SAFE ANTI-EMBOLISM STOCKING</h4> <p>Repton Medical is a UK supplier of&nbsp;<strong>Fall Prevention &amp; Protection Products</strong>. Our range of high quality products offer great value and are extremely competitively priced, helping you to&nbsp;<strong>SAVE MONEY</strong>&nbsp;and provide the&nbsp;<strong>BEST</strong>&nbsp;in patient safety and care.</p> <p>Why not try our brand new&nbsp;<strong>Tread Safe Anti-Embolism Stockings</strong>&nbsp;for use before, during and post surgical procedures, complete with an inspection opening to facilitate skin and for circulation checks. Additionally, our Anti-Embolism Stockings are designed to help<strong>reduce slips, trips and falls&nbsp;</strong>in hospital departments or in the home environment by combining anti-embolism stockings with non-slip technology.</p> <ul> <li>Available in either knee or thigh lengths</li> <li>Colour coded by size for ease of use</li> <li>Designed for comfort</li> <li>Latex Free to prevent skin irritation</li> <li>Silicone bands to help keep the product correctly positioned</li> <li>Inspection opening to facilitate skin and circulation checks</li> <li>Grip underneath</li> </ul> <p><strong>We offer an array of other fall management products at extremely competitive prices including:</strong>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>Our ever popular colour coded range including non-slip socks and slippers, fall bracelets, magnets &amp; signs which can help staff quickly and easily identify a high fall risk patient.</li> <li>Our fall crash mats in various sizes and designs which can help to reduce the impact of falls by up to 85%.</li> <li>Our range of hipsters with discreet protective cushioning pads available in many different styles and colours, from trousers to briefs, helping to protect against hip fractures.</li> <li>Our fall sensors and alarms which alert staff to a high fall risk patients movements, helping to prevent falls.</li> <li>Our full range of bed safety products.</li> </ul> <p><strong>If you would like to find out more information on this product&nbsp;or to request a sample&nbsp;please leave a comment below! Alternatively, please email us at<a href="mailto:marketing@reptonmedical.co.uk">marketing@reptonmedical.co.uk</a>.</strong></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:23 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/prevention-pillar-6-active-social-life Prevention Pillar 6 - Active Social Life <p align="left"><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/cycling1.jpg" alt="Active Social Life" width="246" height="233" /></p> <p align="left">This is the sixth installment of the &lsquo;Help to Reduce Your Risk and Protect You Brain&rsquo; series. The sixth prevention pillar that I will be writing about is&nbsp;<strong>an active social life</strong>.</p> <p align="left">Us as human beings are highly social creatures. We don&rsquo;t thrive in isolation and neither do our brains. Studies show that the more connected we are, the better we fare on tests of memory and cognition. Staying socially active may even protect against Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease and dementia, so make your social life priority.</p> <p align="left">As you become older, you become more isolated. There are many ways to keep you support system strong and develop new relations:</p> <ul> <li>Volunteer</li> <li>Take a group class</li> <li>Visit your local community centre</li> <li>Join a club or social group</li> <li>Connect to others via social networks</li> <li>Get to know your neighbours</li> <li>Reach out over the phone or email</li> <li>Make a weekly date with friends</li> <li>Get outside</li> <li>Visit local attractions- Museum, cinema, shopping centre.</li> </ul> <p align="left">You need to remember to add all of the preventive pillars into your lifestyle to see the results. These pillars will help you reduce the risk of Alzheimer&rsquo;s and dementia.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:22 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/prevention-pillar-5-stress-management Prevention Pillar 5 - Stress Management <p align="left"><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/elderly2.jpg" alt="Stress Management" width="520" height="233" /></p> <p align="left">This is the fifth installment of the &lsquo;Help to Reduce Your Risk and Protect You Brain&rsquo; series. The fifth prevention pillar that I will be writing about is&nbsp;<strong>stress management</strong>.</p> <p align="left">&nbsp;Chronic or severe stress takes a heavy toll on the brain which leads to shrinkage in key memory areas of the brain known as the hippocampus. This is a hampering nerve cell grow which will increase your risk of Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease and dementia. You can add simple tools into your daily routine to minimize its harmful effects.</p> <p align="left">&nbsp;Tips to get your stress levels in check:</p> <p align="left">&nbsp;<strong>Tip Number 1-</strong>&nbsp;<em>Breath!</em></p> <p align="left">&nbsp;Stress can alter your breathing rates which impacts your oxygen levels in the brain. Quiet your stress response with deep, abdominal breathing. Restorative breathing is powerful, simple and free!</p> <p align="left">&nbsp;<strong>Tip Number 2-</strong>&nbsp;<em>Relaxation Activities&hellip;</em></p> <p align="left"><em>&nbsp;</em>Keeping stress levels under control requires regular effort. Make relaxation a priority whether it&rsquo;s a daily walk, playtime with your dog, yoga or a soothing bath.</p> <p align="left">&nbsp;<strong>Tip Number 3-</strong>&nbsp;<em>Nourish Inner Peace&hellip;</em></p> <p align="left"><em>&nbsp;</em>Most scientists acknowledge a strong mind-body connection and various studies associate spirituality with better brain health. Regular meditation, prayer, reflection and religious practice may immunize you against the damaging effects of stress.</p> <p align="left">&nbsp;Next week is the last pillar prevention which is number 6:&nbsp;<strong>An Active Social Life</strong>. Remember you need to add all of the preventive pillars into your lifestyle to see the results!</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:21 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/prevention-pillar-4-quality-of-sleep Prevention Pillar 4 - Quality of Sleep <p align="left"><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/sleep1.jpg" alt="Quality Sleep" width="450" height="287" /></p> <p align="left">This is the fourth installment of the &lsquo;Help to Reduce Your Risk and Protect You Brain&rsquo; series. The fourth prevention pillar that I will be writing about is quality of sleep. For your brain to function at optimum capacity it needs regular and restful sleep.</p> <p align="left">Lack of sleep will not only leave you tired and cranky, but it impairs your ability to think, problem-solve and process, store and recall information. If nightly sleep deprivation is slowing your thinking and affecting your mood, you may be at greater risk of developing symptoms of Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease. Deep, dreamy sleep is critical for memory formation and retention. The recommended about of sleep per night for a vast majority of adults is at least 8 hours. Any less, and productivity and creativity suffers.</p> <p align="left">Tips to help you combat insomnia:</p> <p align="left"><strong>Tip Number 1-</strong>&nbsp;<em>Establish a regular sleep schedule&hellip;</em></p> <p align="left">Creating a routine will help your body sleep. Going to bed and getting up at the same time reinforces your natural circadian rhythms. Your brains clock responds to regularity.</p> <p align="left"><strong>Tip Number 2-</strong>&nbsp;<em>Be smart about napping&hellip;</em></p> <p align="left">If you must nap, do it early afternoon and limit you sleep to 30 minutes. While taking a nap can be a great way to recharge, especially for older adults, it can make insomnia worse. Eliminate napping if insomnia is a problem for you.</p> <p align="left"><strong>Tip Number 3-</strong>&nbsp;<em>Set the mood&hellip;</em></p> <p align="left">Ban small screen activity an hour before you plan to sleep. Small screen activity can include phones, television, computers and iPads. This will relax your brain rather than stimulating it which may lead to difficulties sleeping.</p> <p align="left"><strong>Tip Number 3-</strong>&nbsp;<em>Create a relaxing bedtime ritual&hellip;</em></p> <p align="left">You need to relax the body before you sleep. Take a hot bath, dim the lights, do light stretches and write in your journal. A bedtime routine is good for your brain as it becomes a habit. A nightly ritual will send a powerful signal to your brain that it&rsquo;s time for deep restorative sleep.</p> <p align="left"><strong>Tip Number 4-</strong>&nbsp;<em>Quiet your inner chatter&hellip;</em></p> <p align="left">When stress, anxiety or negative internal dialogues keep you awake get out of bed. Try reading or relaxing in another room for twenty minutes then hop back in to bed.</p> <p align="left">Next week is pillar number 5:&nbsp;<strong>Stress Management</strong>. Remember you need to add all of the preventive pillars into your lifestyle to see the results!</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:20 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/prevention-pillar-3-mental-stimulation Prevention Pillar 3 - Mental Stimulation <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/chess1.jpg" alt="" width="215" height="300" /></p> <p>This is the third installment of the &lsquo;Help to Reduce Your Risk and Protect You Brain&rsquo; series. The third prevention pillar that I will be writing about is mental stimulation. Continuing to learn new things and challenging the brain will help to slow down the progress and reduce the risk of dementia in healthy elderly people. In essence, you need to &lsquo;use it or lose it&rsquo;.</p> <p align="left">Make time for activities which involve communication, interaction and organization. This can involve games, puzzles, handicrafts and social gatherings. Setting aside time each day will help to stimulate the brain which keeps it active.</p> <p align="left">To keep your brain mentally sharp, please follow these brain-boosting activities:</p> <p align="left"><strong>Tip Number 1-</strong>&nbsp;<em>Learn something new&hellip;</em></p> <p align="left">Learning something new is always good to keep the brain active. This can involve studying a foreign language, learning sign language, learning to play a musical instrument, reading a book or taking up a new hobby. Even the simplest daily activities like reading the daily newspaper will teach you something new. The greater the novelty and challenge the larger the deposit in your brain reserves.</p> <p align="left"><strong>Tip Number 2-</strong>&nbsp;<em>Try to remember&hellip;</em></p> <p align="left">Trying to memorize information can strengthen your brain. This can only be something short, but progress to something a little more challenging! You need to learn how your brain best remembers information. Does it like visual pictures, logical rhythms or musical references? Figure this out and you will be a master memorizer in no time!</p> <p align="left"><strong>Tip Number 3-</strong>&nbsp;<em>Strategy games &amp; Brain teasers&hellip;</em></p> <p align="left">These activities provide great mental workout and build you capacity to form and retain cognitive associations. Why not try and complete a crossword puzzle, play board games or work word and number games such as Scrabble or Sudoku.</p> <p align="left"><strong>Tip Number 4-</strong>&nbsp;<em>Who, What, Where, When and Why&hellip;</em></p> <p align="left">Practice the 5 W&rsquo;s by observing and reporting like a crime detective! Answer these questions through your day to day experiences. Capturing visual details keeps the neurons firing in your brain.</p> <p align="left"><strong>Tip Number 5-</strong>&nbsp;<em>Take alternative routes&hellip;</em></p> <p align="left">Stop working through your usual routines! This can involve driving, eating, working and organizing. Varying your habits regularly creates new brain pathways.</p> <p align="left">Next week is pillar number 4:&nbsp;<strong>Quality Sleep</strong>. Remember you need to add all of the preventive pillars into your lifestyle to see the results!</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:19 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/prevention-pillar-2-healthy-diet Prevention Pillar 2 - Healthy Diet <p align="left"><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/eating1.jpg" alt="Healthy Diet" width="400" height="250" /></p> <p align="left">This is the second installment of the &lsquo;Help to Reduce Your Risk and Protect You Brain&rsquo; series. The second prevention pillar that I will be writing about is a healthy diet. Just like the rest of your body you brain needs a nutritious diet to work at its best. The main focus of a healthy diet is to eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, lean protein and healthy fats.</p> <p align="left">Researchers believe that gilal cells may help remove debris and toxins from the brain that can contribute to Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease. Eating foods like ginger, green tea, fatty fish, soy products, blueberries and other dark berries may protect these important cells from damage.</p> <p align="left"><strong>Tip Number 1-</strong>&nbsp;<em>Follow a Mediterranean Diet&hellip;</em></p> <p align="left"><em>&nbsp;</em>A healthy Mediterranean diet includes diet rich fish, nuts, whole grains, olive oil and abundant fresh produce. Don&rsquo;t forget to treat yourself to the occasional glass of red wine or square of dark chocolate.</p> <p align="left">&nbsp;<strong>Tip Number 2-</strong>&nbsp;<em>Avoid eating trans fats and saturated fats&hellip;</em></p> <p align="left">&nbsp;Reduce your consumption of full-fat dairy products, red meat, fast food, fried foods and packaged and processed food. These foods don&rsquo;t have the fresh nutrients that your diet requires.</p> <p align="left">&nbsp;<strong>Tip Number 3-</strong>&nbsp;<em>A healthy heart equals a healthy brain&hellip;</em></p> <p align="left"><em>&nbsp;</em>What&rsquo;s good for you heart is also good for your brain. Reducing your risk of heart disease will also lower your risk of Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease.</p> <p align="left">&nbsp;<strong>Tip Number 4-</strong>&nbsp;<em>Eat plenty of omega 3 fats&hellip;</em></p> <p align="left">Clinical evidence suggests that omega 3 fatty acids may help to prevent Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease. Omega 3 is found in cold water fish such as salmon, tuna, trout, mackerel and sardines.</p> <p align="left">&nbsp;<strong>Tip Number 5-</strong>&nbsp;<em>More plates but smaller portions&hellip;</em></p> <p align="left">&nbsp;Regular eating intervals help to maintain consistent blood sugar levels. It is better to eat 6 small meals throughout the day, rather than 3 large meals. Try to avoid refined carbohydrates high in sugar and white flower which can rapidly spike glucose levels and inflame your brain.</p> <p align="left">&nbsp;<strong>Tip Number 6-</strong>&nbsp;<em>Follow the rainbow colours&hellip;.</em></p> <p align="left">&nbsp;Bright fruit and vegetables across the colour spectrum maximise protective antioxidants and vitamins. Purple berries and green vegetables should be consumed daily as it should be part of your brain- protective regimen.</p> <p align="left">&nbsp;<strong>Tip Number 7-</strong>&nbsp;<em>Green Tea&hellip;</em></p> <p align="left"><em>&nbsp;</em>Green tea may enhance memory, mental alertness and slow brain aging. Regular consumption of green tea is recommended, drinking 2-4 cups daily has proven benefits. Also&nbsp;White and oolong teas help the brain activity.</p> <p align="left">A healthy diet doesn&rsquo;t just involve food; smoking and heavy drinking are two of the most preventable risk factors for Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease. Smoking increases the odds for those over 65 by nearly 79%. Researches warn that a combination of these two bad behaviours reduces the age of Alzheimer&rsquo;s onset by six to seven years. Stopping smoking will improve circulation almost immediately to the brain, no matter what age you are. However, the brain changes from alcohol abuse can only be reversed in your early stages.</p> <p align="left">Next week is pillar number 3:&nbsp;<strong>Mental Stimulation</strong>. Remember you need to add all of the preventive pillars into your lifestyle to see the results!</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:18 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/prevention-pillar-1-regular-exercise Prevention Pillar 1 - Regular Exercise <p align="left"><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/yoga1.jpg" alt="Regular exercise" width="300" height="190" /></p> <p align="left">This is the first instalment of the<em>&nbsp;&lsquo;Help to Reduce Your Risk and Protect Your Brain&rsquo;</em>series. The first prevention pillar that I will be writing about is&nbsp;<strong>regular exercise</strong>. According to professional health reports physical exercise helps to reduce the risk of dementia by 50%.</p> <p align="left">In addition to protecting against Alzheimer&rsquo;s and dementia, regular exercise:</p> <ul> <li>Reduces stress</li> <li>Boosts mood</li> <li>Improves memory</li> <li>Increases energy</li> </ul> <p align="left">As physical exercise has the single biggest influence on dementia levels we want to provide you with tips on how to introduce exercise into your lifestyle. Even though taking up and following a healthy lifestyle is your responsibility, we can help to guide you through your first few steps.</p> <p align="left"><strong>Tip Number 1-</strong>&nbsp;<em>Stick with the exercise regime for at least 1 month&hellip;</em></p> <p align="left">A new routine takes approximately 28 days to become a habit. After 1 month of exercising your exercise routine will start to feel natural. To keep you motivated set realistic goals and make sure you write them down somewhere where it will remind you, for example on a calendar or on the fridge door. Remember to reward yourself as this will help release good endorphins when exercising.</p> <p align="left"><strong>Tip Number 2-</strong>&nbsp;<em>30 minutes of exercise, 5 days a week&hellip;</em></p> <p align="left">Plan your exercise into your daily routine! Adding 30 minutes of exercise, 5 days a week should provide you with&nbsp;a healthy lifestyle. This exercise can involve walking, swimming, dancing, or any other activity that&rsquo;s&nbsp;gets your heart rate up! Even small daily tasks like gardening, laundry and cleaning count as your aerobic&nbsp;exercise.</p> <p align="left"><strong>Tip Number 3-</strong>&nbsp;<em>Balance and coordination exercises&hellip;</em></p> <p align="left">This type of exercise is very important as it can help to prevent falls. Falls are very common as you grow older and head injuries can increase your risk for Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease and dementia. Balance and coordination exercises help you stay agile. These exercises can include Yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates or exercise using balance balls and disks.</p> <p align="left"><strong>Tip Number 4-</strong>&nbsp;<em>Muscles maintain a healthy brain&hellip;</em></p> <p align="left">Combining Aerobics and strength training don&rsquo;t only increase muscle mass, they help you maintain a healthy brain. These two exercises combined together are better than either activity alone. For those over 65, adding 2-3 strength sessions to your weekly aerobic exercise routines may help to reduce your risk of Alzheimer&rsquo;s in half.</p> <p align="left"><strong>Tip Number 5-</strong>&nbsp;<em>Protect your head&hellip;</em></p> <p align="left">Professional studies show that head trauma at any point in life can significantly increase your risk of Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease. Protect your brain by wearing fitted sports helmets, buckling your seatbelt and creating a safer environment.</p> <p align="left">Any exercise program can seem intimidating to begin with but you need to plan&nbsp;at your fitness level. You don&rsquo;t have to start running or sign up for a gym membership; you need to look for small ways to add movement into your daily routine. Taking the stairs, walking instead of driving and parking at the far end of the parking lot can really help you make&nbsp;a difference.</p> <p align="left">Next week is pillar number 2:&nbsp;<strong>Healthy Diet</strong>. Remember you need to add all of the preventive pillars into your lifestyle to see the results!</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:17 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/how-to-reduce-your-risk-and-protect-your-brain How to Reduce Your Risk and Protect Your Brain <p align="left"><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/brain1.jpg" alt="Reduce your risk virtuous circle" width="276" height="300" /></p> <p align="left">Although we have been told that there is little we can do to prevent the Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease, there is however truth in reducing your risk. The wheel above shows the 6 pillars of a brain healthy lifestyle to reduce your risk and protect your brain. This includes exercise, healthy diet, mental stimulation, quality sleep, stress management and an active social lifestyle. By leading a brain-healthy lifestyle it may be able to prevent Alzheimer&rsquo;s symptoms and slow down or even reverse the process of deterioration.</p> <p align="left">Over the next 6 weeks I will be posting a small blog post which explains each of the 6 pillars with added tips and benefits to help you reduce the risk of dementia. The first post will be next week where I talk about tips for getting started and sticking with your exercise plan.</p> <p align="left">Reference</p> <p align="left"><em>Guide, H., 2014. Alzheimer&rsquo;s &amp; Dementia Prevention. [Online] Available at:<a href="http://www.helpguide.org/elder/alzheimers_prevention_slowing_down_treatment.htm">http://www.helpguide.org/elder/alzheimers_prevention_slowing_down_treatment.htm</a>[Accessed 21st February 2014].</em></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:16 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/elderly-care-needs-set-to-treble-by-2050 Elderly Care Needs ‘Set to Treble’ by 2050 <p align="left"><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/elderly1.jpg" alt="Elderly Care" width="520" height="385" /></p> <p align="left">As the elderly population is increasing, the number of people needing care is set to nearly treble globally by 2050. This increase in elderly care means that the traditional system of informal care by family, friends and the community will need much greater support.</p> <p align="left">According to the&nbsp;<em>World Health Organisation</em>&nbsp;more than 35 million people live with dementia across the world. Alzheimer&rsquo;s is the most common cause of dementia and symptoms include loss of memory, mood changes and problems with communicating and reasoning. The&nbsp;<em>Alzheimer&rsquo;s Disease International</em>&nbsp;warns that the people requiring care will rise to 277 million from the current figure of 101 million.</p> <p align="left">This increase in elderly care for dementia warns the healthcare industry that there is going to be a &lsquo;Global Alzheimer&rsquo;s epidemic&rsquo;. It currently costs the world &pound;376 billion per year to treat and care for people with dementia. Lower and middle income countries need to start planning services to deal with the &lsquo;global epidemic&rsquo;.</p> <p>Repton Medical have identified this global problem and are currently researching and sourcing new products for the UK dementia care market. We want to provide you with products which help to stimulate and activate the brain. Look out for&nbsp;<strong>part 2</strong>&nbsp;of this blog post where we show you our complete new range of dementia products and our new dementia care website.</p> <p>References</p> <p><em>News, B. H., 2014. Elderly care needs &lsquo;set to treble&rsquo; by 2050. [Online] Available at:<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-24162509">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-24162509</a>&nbsp;[Accessed 18th February 2014].</em></p> urn:store:1:blog:post:1 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/world-cancer-day World Cancer Day <p align="left">Every year on the&nbsp;<strong>4<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;February</strong>&nbsp;a truly global event takes place,&nbsp;<strong>World Cancer day</strong>unites the world&rsquo;s population in the fight against cancer. It gives everyone the chance to raise their collective voices in the name of improving general knowledge around cancer and dismissing misconception about the disease. The awareness day aims to save millions of preventable deaths each year by improving education about the disease and to press governments and individuals across the world to take action.</p> <p><img src="http://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/images/worldcancerday2.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p align="left"><em>From a global level, World Cancer Day focuses their messaging on the four myths shown above.</em></p> <p align="left">This year alone, nearly 8 million people will die of cancer, and left unchecked, the number of deaths will increase to 13.2 million per year by 2030.&nbsp;<strong>World Cancer Day</strong>&nbsp;is the ideal opportunity to spread the word and raise the profile of cancer in people&rsquo;s minds and in the world&rsquo;s media.</p> <p align="left">There is now a need for a global commitment to help drive advancements in policy and encourage implementation of comprehensive National Cancer Control Plans. The World Health Organisation have released a report this week stating that the globe is facing a &lsquo;tidal wave of cancer&rsquo; and it predicts the number of cancer cases will reach to 24 million a year by 2035, however they believe half could be prevented.</p> <p align="left">Along with raising education and awareness of cancer, people need to learn how to prevent cancer themselves and learn what major sources could cause cancer. Prevention is absolutely critical and it&rsquo;s been somewhat neglected.</p> <p align="left"><strong>The WHO&rsquo;s World Cancer Report 2014</strong>&nbsp;said the major sources of preventable cancer included:</p> <ul> <li>Smoking</li> <li>Infections</li> <li>Alcohol</li> <li>Obesity and inactivity</li> <li>Radiation from both the sun and medical scans</li> <li>Air pollution</li> <li>Delayed parenthood, having fewer children and not breastfeeding</li> </ul> <p align="left">It is clear that if we don&rsquo;t act now to raise awareness of cancer, we will be at the heart of a global crisis in cancer care within the next two decades.</p> <p align="left">Repton Medical is supporting&nbsp;<strong>World Cancer Day</strong>&nbsp;to help spread the awareness to a wider audience. To read more on World Cancer Day please click this link<a href="http://www.worldcancerday.org/">http://www.worldcancerday.org/</a>.</p> <p align="left">References:</p> <p align="left">News, B., 2014.&nbsp;<em>Cancer &lsquo;tidal wave&rsquo; on horizon, warns WHO.&nbsp;</em>[Online] Available at:<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-26014693">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-26014693</a>&nbsp;[Accessed 4th February 2014].</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:70 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/pressure-ulcers Pressure Ulcers <p>On&nbsp;<strong>November 21<sup>st</sup>&nbsp;</strong>health professionals across Europe will come together to share the best practices for avoiding and treating pressure ulcers. This is an important day in the health care community as the impact of pressure ulcers upon patients and their families can be both traumatic and life changing.</p> <p align="left">Each year millions of people worldwide experience pressure ulcers which represent a true global challenge to the health care providers. Pressure ulcers cost the health care systems in Europe up to 4% of their annual budgets.&nbsp;<em>(G, Bennet, The costs of pressure ulcers in the UK).&nbsp;</em>The cost on the NHS in the UK is around &pound;1.4-&pound;2.1 billion annually due to pressure ulcers. This condition is affecting 20% of people in hospitals across Europe who are immobile or unable to feel the pain and discomfort that results from sitting or laying for too long in one position.&nbsp;<em>(Vanderwee K, Pressure ulcer prevalence in Europe)</em>.</p> <p align="left">At risk patients who can be affected by pressure ulcers:</p> <ul> <li>Immobile</li> <li>Suffered a hip facture</li> <li>Completed major surgery.</li> </ul> <p>Due to this health care problem the advanced wound management market has grown over the last few years. At Repton Medical we provide solutions to the wound management market. Posey is the only company who offers a full line of heel protectors. &ldquo;The complete solution&rdquo;. Our line of Posey wound management products include the Pro-heelX Boot, Pressure Relief Slippers, Heel and Foot Guard Protectors and Skin Sleeves.</p> <p>Repton Medical will be supporting World Stop Pressure Ulcer day on November 21<sup>st</sup>&nbsp;2013 to help bring pressure ulcers to a wider audience. To read more on World Stop Pressure Ulcer day please click this link<br /><a href="http://www.epuap.org/stop-pressure-ulcer-day/">http://www.epuap.org/stop-pressure-ulcer-day/</a>.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:50 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/10-facts-about-the-human-brain 10 Facts About The Human Brain <p><img src="/Images/uploaded/Blog/maxresdefault.jpg" alt="10 Facts About The Human Brain" width="1000" height="562" /></p> <p>Within the human body, the brain is the most&nbsp;<strong>complex organ</strong>&nbsp;and probably the most<strong>complex creation</strong>&nbsp;present on this universe. The human brain with its extreme complexity acts like a storage device which holds safely a person&rsquo;s most cherished memories. The brain also influences a&nbsp;<strong>person&rsquo;s personality</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>human consciousness</strong>&nbsp;which gives someone emotion, passion and motions in life. It is a command centre for the&nbsp;<strong>central nervous system</strong>&nbsp;as the brain serves human beings with ample&nbsp;<strong>physical</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>cognitive abilities</strong>. These are just a few vital roles that the human brain performs but there are many facts that are less known by people with a fully functional brain&hellip;</p> <ol> <li>The human brain feels no pain- It is the only organ in the human body that lacks nerves despite it being the central comment for the central nervous system.</li> <li>It consumers the largest portion of the total energy (oxygen and blood) that is generated in the human body.</li> <li>The human brain keeps developing until in your late 40&rsquo;s.</li> <li>When awake, the human brain produces enough electricity to power a small lightbulb.</li> <li>The human brain is regarded as the fattest organ in the human body.</li> <li>Half our brains can be removed by surgery with no apparent effect on personality or memory.</li> <li>The human brain has the same consistency as Tofu.</li> <li>Forgetting is good for the brain: deleting unnecessary information helps the nervous system retain its plasticity.</li> <li>There is no left brain, right brain divide. This is a myth and they both work together.</li> <li>When you learn something new, the structure of the brain changes.</li> </ol> <p>To find out more interesting facts on the human brain please visit-<strong><a href="http://www.factslides.com/s-Brain">http://www.factslides.com/s-Brain</a></strong>.</p> urn:store:1:blog:post:51 https://www.reptonmedical.co.uk/high-risk-fall-solutions High Risk Fall Solutions <p>Falls are on the increase. More and more reports are now found online surrounding the issues of&nbsp;<strong>patient falls</strong>&nbsp;within the&nbsp;<strong>NHS</strong>. Falls and fractures are common and a serious problem effecting older people. Hospitals around the UK are receiving high fall risk patients as a result of this. It is reported that between the 1<sup>st</sup>&nbsp;October and 30<sup>th</sup>September 2012 there was 209,000 occurred falls in UK hospitals. The estimated cost on the&nbsp;<strong>NHS&nbsp;</strong>due to fall related injuries is estimated at &pound;2.3 billion per year. (NICE, 2013). As well as the cost on the&nbsp;<strong>NHS</strong>, falls cause additional suffering for the patient, not only do they experience cuts and bruises, but it can lead to serious injuries such as hip fractures or head injuries which can cause death.</p> <p align="left">At&nbsp;<strong>Repton Medical</strong>&nbsp;we realise the importance to offer practical and economical&nbsp;<strong>fall prevention</strong>&nbsp;solutions for elderly people and those at risk from falling. We provide a range of products which can be used in different&nbsp;<strong>hospital or home environments</strong>&nbsp;such as anti slip footwear, crash mats, positioning aids for beds and chairs, fall alarms and protective clothing.</p> <p align="left"><strong>Repton Medical</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;is your partner in patient safety as we are always researching and sourcing the best solutions to help you reduce falls for the impact of falls in you department, ward or the home environment.</p> <p>NICE, 2013.&nbsp;<em>National Institute for Health and &nbsp; Clinical Excellence.</em></p>