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Author Archive for emp

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday season!

By emp

Tuesday, December 10th, 2019

Did you know that gratitude can help improve your physical and psychological health? At Essential Medical Products, even though we provide products and accessories that help with physical healing and wellbeing, we also believe psychological health plays a big role in patient recovery.

A study from 2012 published in Personality and Individual Differences, showed that people who express gratitude on a regular basis, report feeling healthier than those who don’t. So, to kick off a season of gratitude around the world, we’re going to express a little gratitude of our own!

We are so grateful to have such amazing suppliers and partners. We carry only the best in long-term care bedding and mattresses, as well as wheelchair accessories. We appreciate all the work they have done to research and manufacture these world-class products so that we can pass them on to our customers.

We are grateful to our customers, health care providers like you who have a genuine passion for helping your patients recover quickly and safely. The way you go above and beyond to make your patients comfortable is something we hope you are very proud of.

We are grateful to our staff and everyone who works side-by-side with us every day. Your dedication to helping this business grow is very much appreciated.

At Essential Medical Products, we believe healing is more than just a physical experience. It’s also about psychological health too. This holiday season we encourage you to show your appreciation for someone special in your life. A colleague, a neighbour, or even the Starbucks barista.

We wish you a very safe and happy holiday season and we’ll see you in 2020!

Categories : Happy Holidays

Preventing back pain in wheelchair patients

By emp

Tuesday, November 12th, 2019

When our patients have back pain it affects more than just their physical bodies. It’s a strain on their mental health too.

Back pain can be caused by a strain, such as lifting something too heavy or moving too quickly at a certain angle. Poor posture can also contribute to back pain, especially if they are sitting down most of the day (like in an office job, or when in a wheelchair).

Here are a few tips to help prevent back pain in our wheelchair-bound patients:

Patient body positioning
Before you buy any cushions or products to help prevent or ease back pain, look at how your patient is sitting in the chair. Encourage them to sit tall, align their spine with the back of the chair, and try to avoid slouching as much as possible. Head stabilizers are necessary for patients who have reduced upper body control.

Lumbar support
Supporting your lumbar is a great next step to minimizing back pain for patients who are wheelchair-bound all or most of the day.

Arm Support
Ensure the arms of the wheelchair are ergonomically placed to minimize strain on their shoulders and back.

Foot Support
Dangling feet can cause a strain on your back. Ensure that your feet can be rested flat on the footrests. Here are a couple of foot support accessories for wheelchairs that we recommend.

Seat cushions
Not many people want to sit on a hard seat all day. Depending on the type of support your patient needs, there are specially made wheelchair support cushions for your needs.

Between educating your patient on the most ergonomic ways to sit, showing them a few stretches they can do while sitting to increase circulation and encourage movement, and products specially made for wheelchairs, you can do your part to help your patients avoid back pain and heal faster.

To talk with a wheelchair comfort specialist about the different products available for wheelchair patients, contact our local team today.

Categories : Uncategorized

Common health risks for bedridden patients and how you can avoid them

By emp

Wednesday, October 9th, 2019

Your patients have enough to think about, especially when they are bedridden (either temporarily or permanently).

Here we want to look at a couple of health risks for bedridden patients and how you and your care team can help avoid them.

Pressure Sores: This is a big one we talk about a lot because it’s one of the most common health risks associated with bed or wheelchair ridden patients. In addition to a quality mattress, encourage regular turning and rolling over in bed, have patients wear cotton to absorb moisture, and provide support for regular exercises or stretching as they are able.

Pneumonia: Avoid complications and additional health risks associated with developing pneumonia. Encourage elevating of the patients’ head when they’re not sleeping and encouraging deep breathing and coughing exercises.

Constipation: No one wants to be constipated. Encourage the digestive health of your patients by providing a variety of healthy fruits (as allowed), warm beverages, encouraging frequent bathroom visits, and help them with exercises and stretches to assist with forward bowel motions.

Contractures: Inactivity from being in a hospital bed or wheelchair can cause shortening and hardening of the muscles. Help avoid this by monitoring their extremities for drop and lack of natural strength, use supports to maintain natural body contours, and provide opportunities for stretching and exercise as possible.

Stiffness: Long-term immobility can lead to stiffness in the joints and muscles. To prevent, offer regular warm baths, ensure they’re wearing clothes that don’t impede movement, and encourage regular stretching and movement as they can.

Urinary Tract Infections: Recurring UTIs can become a very serious problem if not treated. If your patient develops recurrent UTIs encourage drinking plenty of fluids to flush out their system, and change soiled clothes immediately.

Depression: We also need to monitor the mental health of our patients, especially when a hospitalization changes their way of life and routines. Ensure their bed is in a room with plenty of ventilation and natural light, offer music or meditative activities, and allow for regular communications (phone or video chats) with friends and relatives who can’t make it to see them in-person regularly.

Essential Medical Products carries many patient comfort furniture and accessories to help them be as comfortable as possible during their healing period. Browse our website to learn more about how we can help!

Categories : Safety

Product Profile: LTC 7000 and 8000

By emp

Wednesday, September 11th, 2019

Sleep is when our body recharges and heals. A good night’s sleep is essential not only for healing but for patient comfort since many spend most of their day (and night) in bed during their recovery.

Today we want to profile 2 of our popular patient comfort mattresses, the LTC 7000 and 8000.

The LTC 7000 Latex Mattress is highly resilient with a 2-inch latex foam top layer. It naturally conforms to your patient’s body contours providing optimal support and relief from pressure points. Because this firm mattress does not break down or leave body impressions, it has a long service life.

We often recommend this mattress for patients at risk of pressure sores and as it’s the best choice to prevent heat build-up and sweat. It’s also a great choice for bedside stability and for ease of movement. The max recommended weight capacity of the LTC 7000 Latex Mattress is 350 lbs.

The LTC 8000 Gel-in Mattress has a two-inch comfort layer like the LTC 7000, but the 8000 model is made of gel-infused viscoelastic foam for better balance of heat regulation and energy absorption.

Like many of our mattresses, it is also a great choice for patients at risk of pressure sores. It should be noted that this medium-firm viscoelastic layer can impair movement for some patients. The LTC 8000 is also recommended for patients up to 350 lbs.

We know there are many patient care mattresses to choose from and every patient is unique. Contact us about your mattress and patient needs and we can help you select the right one.

Categories : Uncategorized

How to make your patients’ wheelchair more comfortable!

By emp

Tuesday, August 13th, 2019

No patient wants to be confined to a wheelchair. If this is a reality for yours, here are a few tips to make their wheelchair more comfortable.

Invest in wheelchair cushioning: If your patient will be confined to a wheelchair for a significant amount of time, that can be quite damaging to their body. Wheelchair cushioning comes in a variety of foam, gel, and hybrid cushioning.

Here are a few wheelchair cushions we highly recommend:

Shape Series Wheelchair Cushions – Designed for patients with a moderate risk of pressure sore development.
ESP (Essential Seating Position) Series Wheelchair Cushions – Designed for patients with low risk of pressure sore development and the best choice for patients needed a low seat height or who foot propel.
Pincore Viscoelastic Wheelchair Cushions – Designed for those needing a softer cushion for better pressure redistribution
Active Series Wheelchair Cushions – Designed to aid patients in transfers and repositioning and is available in plush or firm support.

Provide foot support cushions: Give your wheelchair-bound patients comfort with a footplate pad that is designed to reduce heel and foot pressure. It’s a small cushioned pad with an adhesive backing and loop velcro straps to secure it in place. Standard and custom sizes available.

Use positioning leg straps: These straps are designed to hold your patients legs to encourage symmetrical alignment of the feet. Single leg straps position the feet correctly on the chair footrest. Double leg straps provide additional support for patients with tight hamstrings or knee contractures. The padded leg straps have a vinyl covered pad to protect the legs from pressure.

To see samples of these or any of the wheelchair accessories we carry help increase the comfort of your wheelchair patients, visit our wheelchair products page.

Categories : Uncategorized

Tags : cushions, wheelchair

What makes us proud to be Canadian?

By emp

Monday, July 1st, 2019

Essential Medical products is a proudly Canadian company. Based in Delta, British Columbia (not far from Vancouver) we are 100% Canadian owned and operated since 1975.

Our country is full of pride in early July as we celebrate Canada Day. When we see all the Canadian flags flying and families out celebrating, we like to reflect on what makes us proudly Canadian:

We’re proud to live in an inclusive country: With all the turmoil in the world, we’re honoured to be a safe place for families of any race, religion, or culture to call home.

We’re proud to have free education and healthcare: These things go a long way to building a strong society and community.

We’re proud of our environment: In the Vancouver area, we can go skiing, for a swim in the ocean, and a forest hike all in the same day!

We’re proud of our genius: Not to brag of course, but did you know Canadians invented peanut butter, the zipper, the telephone, and insulin (to name a few of our many accomplishments).

We’re all unique: Even though we’re often stereotyped as super polite people who live in igloos, our collective diverse background and experiences help us thrive and grow in our uniqueness.

As Canadians, we take pride in helping others which is why we started Essential Medical Products. We live in a country where we are free to help others live happier, healthier lives, one mattress at a time.

Categories : Events

Tags : canada, holiday, mattress

Product Profile: About the Air-Filled Support Pad

By emp

Wednesday, June 12th, 2019

Patient comfort is our number one concern and we only carry products that support patient health and comfort, that includes the EMP Conform air-filled insert support pad. Essential Medical Supplies has been supplying this support pad in Canada for about 10 years.

This specialty mattress pad provides a low-pressure surface and is commonly used with foam mattresses under areas where the patient is at higher risk of developing sores when laying down.

Airflow is also an important consideration. When you compare this air-filled insert support pad with moisture-proof foam mattresses, the air-filled insert provides better air-flow opportunities around areas of at-risk skin.

In our 10 years of recommending these air-filled inserts for patients, our customers say that the surface feels more stable, compared to other air-filled support products they’ve tried. They also love how you can connect multiple pads together seamlessly. Where other comparable products are joined with “snap” connectors and cause stress and damage at the pad joints, the Conform air-filled pads are joined using a flexible strip of holes where the air-filled cells are inserted. This provides a strong, continuous joint.

Repair and Care
We think you’ll also love how easy they are to maintain and fix if a cell is punctured and leaks. In performing our due diligence on this product before bringing it into our inventory, we used a standard bicycle tire repair patch kit to seal a punctured cell and it worked perfectly.

The pad is made of natural rubber and should not be exposed to UV light, or it wilal result in premature ageing of the material. Keep it away from liquids and skin creams too. Should it get dirty, the Conform Air can be easily disinfected with commonly used disinfecting sprays or wipes

If you are looking for a mattress support pad, or an air-filled insert support pad, contact the team at Essential Medical Products who can help you choose the right one for you.

Categories : Mattress Accessories

Tags : mattress, support pad

4 Ways to improve the mental health of your patients

By emp

Wednesday, May 8th, 2019

May is Canadian Mental Health Week (May 6-12) and American Mental Health Awareness Month! It’s a time to raise awareness of mental health within our communities.

Here are 4 ways you can improve mental health care for patients under your care:

1.Get current mental health training for all staff: Anyone who deals with patients at your facility should participate in regular mental health training so they are better able to spot mental health issues before they harm the patient or others. Proper recognition of physiological conditions could provide better diagnosis and prevent people from being admitted to mental health wards unless they are actually necessary.

2. Actively listen to your patients: We know being a patient is a stressful time for everyone, but you can help calm the nerves, and increase patient satisfaction if you really listen to patients needs. Be an active listener when they share their medical history with you, and even when they tell you about their grandchildren, or a recent marathon they ran!

3. Use technology when in-person visits are not possible: Staying connected to patients who have been diagnosed with mental health conditions, or those who you suspect may develop one after discharge, is crucial. Use video conferencing tools to book check-up appointments with patients who can’t easily get back to your facility, or those who don’t necessarily need a live, in-person consultation.

4. Collaborate with different departments: Collaborative care is crucial to proper diagnoses and faster recovery. Keep clear lines of communication open between doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, and any other front-line workers. If you work with paramedics or emergency health professionals, make sure you get a full incident report so you can look for potential mental health instability from other perspectives.

This week use the hashtag #GetLoud on social media in Canada and #4Mind4Body in the US to spread the word and awareness of mental health issues.

Learn more about mental health week and month at https://mentalhealthweek.ca/ and http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/may

Categories : Health Care

Tags : healthcare, mental health, mental health week

Tips for preventing and responding to falls

By emp

Tuesday, April 16th, 2019

No matter our age, slips and falls are almost inevitable. However, with a little care, we can minimize our chances of falling and seriously injuring ourselves with these simple safety and preventative measures.

Clean up: How many times have you stepped on a lego block, or stumbled over a pile of dirty clothes on the floor? The simple act of clearing floors, stairways, and pathways in and around your home is one easy way to avoid falls.

Install Lighting: Install motion sensing lights along dark hallways and along exterior paths to your home for those who have difficulty seeing clearly at night.

Use Railings: Encourage children and the elderly to hold railings on stairs. This way if they accidently slip, they could catch themselves before risking serious injury. You can even install safety bars around toilets and shower stalls for anyone who needs a little help up and down (or in and out).

Install non-slip surfaces: Wood or concrete paths and stairs can get slippery in cold or wet weather and socks on wood or smooth floors can make for a slippery situation! Install non-slip pads on exterior walking surfaces, and consider covering inside floors with rugs (with a non stick bottom) to minimize slipping.

Organize your home logically: By this, we mean put things closest to where you use it most. You wouldn’t store your coffee mugs in the bathroom right? The less distance you need to travel to get things done, the lower your chances of slipping become.

Notice your footwear: Make sure you wear well fitting shoes (or slippers with non-stick bottoms). Shoes that are too big or small affect your natural walking rhythms, making you more likely to fall.

Exercise for strength: Stronger legs give you a good foundation to help minimize slips and falls.

By practicing these safety precautions, and seeking help when you need it, you can minimize your chances of serious injury from “common” slips and falls around your home.

On a related note, did you know that today, April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day, a day dedicated to increasing awareness of advanced healthcare directives and planning? If you or your loved one doesn’t have a medical plan for emergencies, please contact your local healthcare provider who can help you prepare one, or refer you to a legal professional to help.

Follow the discussion today on social media using the hashtag #HealthcareDecisionsDay.

Categories : Elderly, Safety

Tags : Elderly home safety, falls, stairs

Product Profile: LTC 4000 Mattress Family

By emp

Wednesday, March 13th, 2019

Choosing a mattress for your hospital beds can be a complicated process with so many options to choose from. Today we’re going to look at the LTC 4000 series of Intermediate care mattresses:

The LTC 4000 series of 6 inch thick mattresses are made of comfortable memory foam. Both models have a 2-inch medium-plush viscoelastic foam comfort layer on the top, and the LTC 4000 Plus Mattress also has a 4-inch multi-zone medium-firm core whereas the 4000 Ultra model has a 2-inch high resiliency transitional layer followed by a 2-inch foam core.

LTC 4000 Plus Mattress (medium firm memory foam mattress)
This mattress is ideal for patients requiring a pressure relieving surface that is both comfortable and supportive, and which helps prevent pressure sores from developing. When heat build-up is a concern, this mattress is a good choice as it helps prevent sweating from heat buildup between the mattress and patient. It provides good bedside stability and prevents entrapment.

The LTC 400 Plus mattress has a recommended max weight capacity of 350lbs.

LTC 4000 Ultra 55 Mattress (Ultra stable Firm Memory Foam)
This mattress features a high resiliency transitional layer and full height transfer borders, ensuring stability during transfers and for everyday living activities. It is the best choice when pressure sore development is a concern. Even with it’s firm mattress design, it’s still a good choice for preventing heat build up and patient sweating.

The full height exterior foam adds firmness along the edges, providing excellent bedside stability and is often recommended for heavier individuals or those simply preferring a more firm mattress.

The LTC 400 Ultra 55 mattress has a higher recommended max weight capacity of 400lbs.

The covers of both LTC 4000 series mattresses are made for all hospital beds and are available in 6 standard sizes and custom sizes are available. It is fluid-proof, non-allergenic, antibacterial, and has an antimicrobial cover. You can also get it with a non fluid-proof, organic cotton cover option.

It’s important to note that the viscoelastic layer in both the 4000 series mattresses may impair bed mobility for some patients.

Both mattresses come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee and a warranty period of up to 5 years. We recommend that you select your mattress with the help of a qualified medical professional. If you have questions about these mattresses, please contact the Essential Medical Supplies team today.

Categories : Uncategorized

Tags : bedding, intermediate, mattress