Thousands of patients die in hospitals around the world every year because of contaminated medical equipment. The number of deaths can be reduced dramatically if hospital authorities put more emphasis on cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing patient care instruments. Chemical sterilization of medical instruments is of utmost importance because doing so saves lives that may be unnecessarily lost. Here are just some of the reasons why chemical sterilization is necessary for medical instruments. Continue reading →

Most people are familiar with the standard mercury thermometer and the relatively newer digital thermometers used by doctors and nurses. But there are actually several different types of thermometers for use in different environments and for different purposes. As instruments to measure temperature, they have a wide range of applications, including medical, scientific and engineering.

Here are some of the different types of thermometers in use today and their advantages: Continue reading →

Paramedics are required to provide emergency medical care to critically ill and injured people in a hospital environment before the nurse and the doctor sees the patient. As such, their job involves performing an initial assessment of the patient's condition, a diagnosis and a treatment plan to help their patients. Depending on their training, paramedics are able to handle all kind of emergencies, including respiratory problems.  Continue reading →

Everyone knows that doctors and nurses wear scrubs, but very few actually know why.  Just like the stethoscope, which is an indispensable tool of trade for a doctor, a set of scrubs is an important accessory for both doctors and nurses. Since they were first worn in the early days of the 20th century, scrubs have now become a symbol of the profession. So why do nurses wear scrubs? Continue reading →

Running exerts a lot of pressure on your legs and the knees are especially vulnerable to injuries as they play a pivotal role of bending and straightening the legs. People who run regularly either as a professional activity or as a form of daily exercise often develop some form of knee pain or injury. Knee pain can range from mild to extremely painful depending upon the type and extent of the injury. The use of knee braces for running can prevent the injuries and also provide relief to already injured knees. Continue reading →

Achy or sore muscles are often a result of over exercise and are common with athletes. Non-athletes also may develop achy muscles if they strain their muscles when lifting heavy objects or doing physically demanding work they are not used to. The medical name for this painful condition is Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). It is believed to be caused by the inflammation of the muscle when micro-tears appear in the muscle fibers due to strain. There are several cures for this condition including the application of heat therapy through electric heating pads. Continue reading →

Disposable latex powdered gloves have been in use in medical and laboratory applications for many years. They are used to protect the wearer from toxic chemicals and biological matter. However, since its early days, repeated exposure to latex powder has been known to be harmful to humans. According to the US FDA, between 5 and 20 percent of health workers who regularly come into contact with latex develop allergic reactions ranging from mild irritations to death, as in the case of lab worker Karen Wetterhahn who died of repeated exposure in 1997. Continue reading →

Both heat and cold therapy are used as non-invasive pain relievers for joint and muscle pain. These two therapies are very easy to apply and do not require extensive medical training. Although both therapies essentially serve the same purpose, to alleviate pain, they should be applied differently depending on whether the pain is chronic or acute.

Cold therapy is indicated for new injuries that will most likely lead to inflammation and swelling. The ice will reduce the blood flow to the affected area by constraining blood vessels and consequently decreasing inflammation. On the other hand, heat therapy is recommended for reoccurring pain and it works by increasing the blood flow in the affected area, which ultimately triggers the healing process. Continue reading →

Emergency first aid kits consist of essential equipment that can save your life or the life of your friends and family in case of an accident or injury. Whether you keep it in the car, at home, or at the office, the emergency first aid equipment helps you respond positively and effectively in case of an unpleasant event. The kits may be purchased pre-assembled, or they may be assembled by you. Whichever the case, here is the equipment that it should contain: Continue reading →

From nurses to physicians, all general healthcare personnel are required to wear examination gloves. Examination gloves are essential for the protection and safety of both patients and physicians. Technology advancements have enhanced the development of various types of examination gloves in the healthcare industry made of materials such as vinyl, latex, and nitrile. Although they serve the same purpose, examination gloves are different depending on the material they are made of. Here are the main differences between latex, vinyl, and nitrile examination gloves: Continue reading →