Safety vs Safety

I was thinking about safety today. Patient safety and health care employee safety. Why not both at the same time? Why can't we improve patient safety in transfers while at the same time increasing the safety of the caregiver in the very same lift. Not much is fraught with peril as is the semi-ambulatory transfer. Think about it, you are moving someone whose legs and body are defying you the entire time and the if the caregiver makes one little mistake, accident. And if the one little mistake is compounded with an injury to the caregiver, double mistake. And expensive to boot.
Just thinking.
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Standing alone in the field

It sure seems like I am standing alone in a field looking for attention. The guy with the red carnation..waving the beacon frantically trying to get attention. I have one heck of a Vest to tell about and everyone is so busy they don't want to listen till it is too late. A tragedy occurs, an injury, a fall and then everybody wants to talk. How to get people and companies in the loop BEFORE something happens....
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Managed Expectations

I often think that our expectations defy logic. We expect outcomes to be good or bad based on emotional triggers rather than thought out logic. You can always picture the worst but it is harder to bring paradise up mentally on a given situation. Most recently someone said to me that her Dad will die and her husband will be close behind and she will lose her supports in life leaving her bereft of any chance to survive.
This was from a strong woman with every skill conceivable to survive but lacking three things; a vision based on logic, faith and confidence. I can only hope that people will think positive and avoid the self fulfilling prophecy syndrome.

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Frustration

It is all to easy to get frustrated these days. I was on a site that PT person has and saw an article about helping people in wheelchairs get into and out of cars and the huge hardship it is. I simply wanted to acquaint her with the SDS Transfer Vest that could help her clients. When I went searching for a contact me button, page, bookmark...something, i could not find anything to contact her. I stopped and so we have someone who needs to know that there exists ways to help..now gone unsaid. That was my frustration yesterday. And considering what other people are going through...it is so very minor.
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When first is last

When is first last? It is said that it is about the least, the lost and the lowest. If humanity wants to lift itself up to the heights, you must take care of the least , the lost and the lowest. Seniors and the Elderly fall into these categories all to often. There are many ways to help but the greatest is to give them their dignity. Follow that with thier freedom and you are talking radical!
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Sins of Omission

I was mulling over the issue of "Sins of Omission" the other day. Let's define it as being able to do a right or good thing and then not doing it. I see sins of omission daily and wonder what drives people in general to ignore things. I hear about sins of omission in senior care on a continual basis. It is often not that they got mistreated but they weren't particularly helped with a problem or condition. My thinking must have gone deep in me and caused me to act. It was a bad snow storm here and I was a parent volunteer at a kids musical practice. I went out to clean snow off my car and get it started. I looked at the other cars in the back lot behind the theater and decided on the spur of the moment to clean everyone's windows off for them. Why did I do this? I was already snow covered, had a long snow brush in hand, why not. It would have been a sin of omission for me not to.
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Carson and the land of Yes I Can

In the second quarter of 2010, SDS will be introducing a pediatric line of patient transfer vests.

The idea for a pediatric line came about from a relationship developed between two families, the Leslie family, whose 15 year old son, Carson, had been diagnosed with brain cancer in October of 2006, and Allan Thomas, President of SDS Medical and his son Brock. The families met through an organization called 'Wipe Out Kids Cancer' affiliated with Children's Medical Center in Dallas, Texas.

Having been in and out of hospitals for various tests, chemotherapy, radiation, more pills, experimental drugs, Carson began to grow weary. One day in particular, a nurse manually transferred him several times from wheelchair to various tables and beds, causing unimaginable discomfort and bruising under his arms. It was at this time that Carson's mother, Annette Carson, shared this experience with Allan, who then visited with Carson about his experience. The rest is history, a pediatric line was in design.

Carson Leslie passed from this life to be with his Lord on January 13, 2010 after his 3 year battle. While many have described loved ones who pass away as 'courageous', this young man was a warrior, wise beyond his years, and at the end was at peace and ready for heaven.
Carry Me

What also makes Carson so special is that during his journey, he felt compelled to write a book, to capture his thoughts in hopes of encouraging and inspiring other kids fighting cancer or in hospitals with life threatening illnesses. As a company focused on helping those with special needs, we are truly honored to not only name our pediatric product line in memory of Carson Leslie, but we will help his legacy live on by including a copy of the book that chronicles his journey entitled 'Carry Me', with each pediatric vest. It is our hope that Carson's legacy will in fact live through his book, bringing inspiration to kids just like he wanted.

To the Leslie family, our thoughts and prayers are with you, and know that Carsons' legacy will reach and inspire kids all over the globe.


IN-HOME
PERSONAL USE

HOME HEALTH

HOSPITALS // PT REHAB

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PEDIATRICS
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Falls and the never event

If you are not familiar with the legislation concerning falls in health facilities, the government has determined they are "never events". Something that should not happen at all. And right they are. How often can you say that about the government!

Falls occur when a resident or patient needs to move. It can be climbing out of bed or trying to sit. It can most often happen in the bathroom. 10% of the falls result in serious injury (broken hips, head injuries, rib injuries) and may end in death.

How do we prevent falls? In every way we can. The cost of falls can be devastating and there should be no method of prevention overlooked.

Try the SDS Transfer Vest;fall preventions best friend!

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