3.....2.....1....GO!  

MTI was given the opportunity to let the SAWC Wound Care Meeting use the Mobile Leg Wrapping Support for a leg wrapping competition.

At the Colorado Convention Center for the SAWC Wound Care Meeting.

May 1st 2013

Mike and I driving from the Denver airport to the SAWC Wound Care Meeting.  What happened to Spring?! Stay tuned for more pics and updates!

Many thanks to everyone who entered into the Apple® iPad® drawing at the WOCN® Society’s 44th Annual Conference to promote MTI’s new Removable Leg Wrapping Support* and Mobile Leg Wrapping Support*, June 10 – 12, 2012, in Charlotte, NC.

Congratulations to:

Linda Reynolds, RN, BSN, CWOCN
Enloe Medical Center
Chico, CA 95926

as the lucky winner of the Apple iPad.

To all who submitted entries, we hope that you have enjoyed participating in our contest and will continue to participate in future contests as well.

Thank you for participating in the contest!

Hospitals lead all industries for workers losing days in cases from back pain, and many times this is from moving patients (Dimensions of Care: Back Injuries in Healthcare Workers. John T. Bielecki, MD, MPH). The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that healthcare workers occupy six of the top ten occupations at risk for back injuries.

1. Nurses Aides
2. Construction Workers
3. Garbage Collectors
4. Licensed Practical (Vocational) Nurses
5. Truck Drivers
6. Registered Nurses
7. Health Aides
8. Machinists
9. Radiology Technicians
10. Therapists

Healthcare workers then can benefit from using the 440 Mobile Stretcher Bed to provide a mobile surgery platform in the specialties of Ophthalmology, Plastic Surgery, Otolargyngology (ENT), Oral Surgery and others, who need to transport a patient from various locations within the clinic for procedures or surgeries. A smart lithium-ion battery powers the 440 without the need for connection to an electrical outlet for true operational mobility and allows you to use one chair without moving the patient which reduces patient handling and the possibility of patient or healthcare personnel injury.

Prevention is Key

According to the CDC, healthcare workers experience a higher rate of musculoskeletal disorders than workers in construction, manufacturing, and mining. This is largely because of repeated manual patient handling, usually heavy lifting that comes from transferring and repositioning patients which often puts healthcare workers in extremely awkward postures. The epidemic of increasing weight of patients from obesity and the increasing number of older people that require assistance magnifies the problem.

In a comprehensive lab and field study, the first research effort identified safer ways to lift and move nursing home residents by removing excessive forces and extreme postures which occur when manually lifting residents. Historically, caregivers used his/her own strength to give manual assistance to the residents. NIOSH (The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) conducted a large field study to determine if intervention, consisting of mechanical equipment to lift physically dependent residents, training on the proper use of the lifts, a safe lifting policy, and a preexisting medical management program would reduce rates and their associated costs of resident handling injuries for nursing personnel in a real world setting.

During the 6-year period of the study from January 1995 through December 2000, 1,728 nursing personnel were followed before and after the implementation of the study's program. After the intervention, it was shown that there was a significant reduction in injuries that involved resident handling, workers' compensation costs, and lost work day injuries. For injury rates associated with patient handling, workers compensations claims rates were reduced by 61%, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) recordable injury rates decreased by 46%, and first reports of employee injury rates were reduced by 35%. The investment for the lifting equipment and worker training was recovered in less than 3 years on the basis of post-intervention savings annually in workers' compensation costs and potentially more quickly if indirect costs (lost wages, cost of hiring and retraining workers, etc.) are considered. This was a significant finding since cost is most often cited as the barrier to purchasing lifting equipment. More information on this study can be found in the NIOSH publication Safe Lifting and Movement of Nursing Home Residents (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2006-117/).

This study clearly indicates the advantage of using specialized medical equipment to help lift and move patients, thereby reducing injury potential to both patients and healthcare givers. We can conclude that with application of the results of this study to patients in surgeries, that using the MTI Mobile Quad Battery Powered Stretcher Bed to perform procedures and then allowing them to recover in the same bed allows for patient comfort and reduced injury potential to both patients and healthcare personnel.

To read the CDC's article about preventing injury in health care settings, click here.

Over the past few years with the increasing cost of energy and the push to become "green," that is, use energy, healthcare facilities have been becoming more energy efficient. Eliminating mercury, energy-efficient systems, and integrated design of facilities are some of the ways that healthcare providers are beginning to realize that healing the patient while protecting the environment is mutually beneficial (Source: http://www.healthcarebuildingideas.com/article/can-medical-equipment-go-green).

Some commonly used equipment is also now making its way to being energy efficient such as LED lighting and low-voltage DC motors without hydraulics used in power exam chairs or surgery tables. 

LED Lighting

With the invention of electrical light, lights immediately made their debut into the operating room, but they had their own problems from the inability to control the light emitted and heat radiation. Fast-forward to today, compact fluorescent light bulbs, or CFLs, are now thought of as the energy-efficient light bulb instead of incandescent bulbs. However, light-emitting diode light bulbs, or LEDs, are actually much more efficient. Researchers have been at work on this green technology to make it more affordable to the consumer market before the 2014 deadline, when 40-watt and 60-watt bulbs will be phased out. With new technology today, LEDs (light-emitting diodes) are now used to control heat radiation with greater control and brightness of light and a much higher efficiency (Source: http://usgreentechnology.com/stories/led-light-bulbs-the-most-efficient-of-light-bulbs/).

One of the best lights coming to the market now is the MI 1000 LED Series Surgery Light. The MI 1000 LED represents the new standard in minor surgery lighting with its green technology LED lights. It features a larger reflector with high efficiency at a very low heat, a larger pattern, and long life LED bulbs. The MI 1000 LED includes the 21st Century Series exclusive Centra arm delivery system.

Green Power Exam Chairs/Surgery Tables

Energy was very cheap in early years of electricity coming into the healthcare facilities. With newer equipment coming into use, energy use has sharply increased, and providers were suddenly faced with increasing energy bills. Even smaller clinics and facilities have been impacted by these changes. So with an ever increasing reliance on technology, the push to go green is being felt everywhere in the healthcare industry. Doctors and clinics are turning to using more energy-efficient equipment, even for their power exam chairs and surgery tables.

What makes a power exam chair or surgery table green? One key feature in green medical equipment is that they use low-voltage DC motors instead of AC or hydraulic systems which contain oil which can leak if the unit is damaged. DC low-voltage motors are very reliable, simple to control, and use less energy.

Some of the advantages of using this type of motor are:

• Less energy used
• Quieter than AC powered motors
• Operate smoother than AC powered motors
• Less complex & fewer components other AC and hydraulic systems
• Safer than AC or hydraulic systems
• Do not contain any oil, so no messy oil spills or broken hydraulic lines
• Use current sensing technology
• Enclosed in water-safe housing

Long Lifecycle

When making a product more "green," a manufacturer must consider their product's lifecycle, and a longer lifecycle is more desirable. Obviously when a product can be used for a longer time, the longer it stays out of the scrap heap. One medical manufacturing company, MTI, is known for using low-voltage DC motors in their power exam chairs and surgery tables. Mitchel P. Goldman, MD, in San Diego, CA, gave an example of MTI's product reliability and long life when he said the following about MTI and their power exam chairs: "When I opened my new practice 7 years ago, I already had 15 years of experience with multiple examination chair systems. I needed a state-of-the-art system that was quiet, efficient, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing. That is why I purchased 15 examination chair/tables from MTI. My examination chair/tables are equipment that I never have to worry about."

In addition to using low-voltage DC motors, MTI also supplies LED surgery and exam lights to doctors and hospitals across the nation such as the MI 1000 LED Series Surgery Lights. MTI is committed to continually produce high-quality, environmentally friendly and competitively priced products for the markets they serve while being dedicated to their customers, associates, and community.

For more information or inquiries about the MI 1000 LED Series Surgery Light or their power exam chairs/surgery tables, please call MTI's Sales Department at (800) 924-4655 or (801) 875-4999 or visit their web site at www.mti.net. 

From the Wikipedia, a Surgical Light is defined as: A surgical light -- also referred to as an operating light or surgical lighthead -- is to assist medical personnel during a surgical procedure by illuminating a local area or cavity of the patient. A combination of several surgical lights is often referred to as a "surgical light system."

Consider the history of surgical lighting.  In the 1850s, rooms were built so that the sunlight came directly in the south-east with windows built into the ceiling to take advantage of as much natural light as possible.  Of course the problems with this resulted from poor weather for the day or the doctor, nurse, or medical equipment blocking the illuminated area.  Mirrors were then used in the corners of the ceiling to direct sunlight to the operating table, but the problems were not reduced very much.

With the invention of electrical light, lights immediately made their debut into the operating room, but they had their own problems from the inability to control the light emitted and heat radiation.  With new technology today, LEDs (light-emitting diodes) are now used to control heat radiation with greater control and brightness of light and a much higher efficiency.

A medical manufacturer, MTI, is now supplying LED surgery and exam lights to doctors and hospitals across the nation.  One of the best lights coming to the market now is the MI 1000 LED Series Surgery Light.

MI 1000 LED Series Surgery Lights

The MI 1000 LED represents the new standard in minor surgery lighting with its green technology LED lights. It features a larger reflector with high efficiency at a very low heat, a larger pattern, and long life LED bulbs. The MI 1000 LED includes the 21st Century Series exclusive Centra arm delivery system.

Some of the great features of this light include:

• 16"(406 mm) diameter multi-faceted reflector for excellent shadow control
• 5 stage dimming control from a sterile handle provides 50-100% dimming
• On/Off button on sterile handle
• 6,000 ft candles (64,500 lux) output at 1 meter
• 4300-degree Kelvin color temperature
• LED bulbs
• 28" (711 mm) articulating arm with integral compression spring
• 23" (584 mm) extension arm
• Lamp head and arm both rotate 540 degrees
• Arm moves 40 degrees up and down from horizontal plane
• Additional positioning handle on perimeter of light head
• Removable and sterilizable handle
• Chuttletrak ceiling mounts available
• 3-year parts and labor limited warranty
• 115V - 240V

MI 500 LED Series Exam Lights

If a smaller exam light is what you need, then MTI again has what you need with the MI 500 LED Series Exam Light. The compact and economical MI 500 LED is an ideal exam/diagnostic light. Utilizing a unique 5" (12.7 cm) dichroic glass reflector, the MI 500 LED produces a large pattern of light for a wide variety of applications. Like the MI 1000 LED Surgery Light, it features the exclusive Centra arm delivery system.

Features of this light include:

• 6" (150 mm) diameter flood pattern at 24" (610 mm)
• 4,000 ft candles (43,000 lux) at 24" (610 mm)
• 4,300-degree Kelvin color temperature at 24" (610 mm)
• Light Emitting Diodes (LED)
• 50,000 hours LED rated lamp
• 5" (127 mm) glass dichroic reflector
• IR absorbing color-correcting glass filter
• 28" (711 mm) articulating arm with integral compression spring
• 23" (584 mm) extension arm
• Arm rotates 40 degrees up and down from horizontal plan
• Lamphead and arm both rotate 540 degrees
• Positioning handle mounted on perimeter of lamphead
• Ceiling and Wall mounts and Portable floorstand models available
• Dual ceiling mounts and combination ceiling mounts with ChuttleTrak ceiling track mounts available
• 3-year parts and labor limited warranty
• Voltage is 100-240V

One can easily conclude that the MI 1000 and MI 500 series lights are the best lights to use during critical surgical operations or exams.  For more information on the MI 1000 Series Surgery Light and MI 500 Series Exam Light, visit www.mti.net.

TC100 Series Treatment Cabinets and Cabinet-installed Fiber Optic Light Sources

An Otolaryngologist is a doctor that specializes in diagnosis and treatment or disorders or the head and neck, also called an ENT (ear, nose, and throat).

As an Otolaryngologist, what do you look for when searching for the best ENT treatment cabinets? Many say that the best ENT carts and cabinets combine good functionality with aesthetics for a cabinet that not only functions how they need and fits into their workflow but looks good as well.

One manufacturer that satisfies these requirements is MTI with their ENT treatment cabinets that feature European construction and styling, and soft curves, combined with premium materials and contemporary ergonomic engineering, which help make the MTI TC Series Treatment Cabinets perhaps the finest ENT treatment cabinets ever produced.

For safe use by staff and patients, all MTI cabinets are latex safe (latex-free) to reduce the possibility of allergic reactions. They are also listed to the Safety Standards for Medical Electrical Equipment UL 60601-1, CSA-C22.2 60601-1, and IEC 60601-1.

MTI TC Series Treatment Cabinets are offered in five basic models with thousands of standard option combinations to satisfy every need and the willingness to design and produce special configurations to then satisfy almost every need.

MTI offers four deluxe cabinet models to accommodate every physicians' needs.

• Sit-down model
• Stand-up model
• Sit-down wide model
• Stand-up wide model

There is also an economy model, which does not sacrifice quality of construction for economy. Fewer standard features, like instrument handles and bottles, help reduce the cost of this cabinet, while using the same vacuum and pressure pump systems.

An important option for otologists and many others that is available on TC Series Cabinets, is MTI's exclusive high volume vacuum system, which provides up to ten times the suction volume of traditional cabinet suction pumps.

Also available are a Cabinet-installed 3-Port Halogen or 4-port LED Fiber Optic Light. For a convenient and safe location for your light source, the light source is installed in the cabinet in place of the top right hand square drawer.

For a list of the TC100 Series Cabinet's features, visit MTI's web site at www.mti.net.

MTI, a manufacturer of medical exam and surgery chairs, has the tools that podiatrists, wound care clinics, and hospital wound care centers are looking for.

Introducing the 527 and 527W:

• Capacity to lift an astounding 650 lbs (Model 527) or 800 lbs (Model 527W)
• Low entry ADA-compliant height of 19” for ease of entry/exit
• Patented and patent pending Floating Arms™ that slide back, rated at over 200 lbs
• Standard features include a storable and removable stainless steel debris tray, Velcro®-attached cushions, and a 12” extendable foot section
• Optional features include a paper roll holder, leg support stirrups, and position programmability

And now you can also help avoid healthcare professional injury with MTI’s Removable Leg Wrapping Support*. The patent pending removable leg wrapping support is a dual-function support providing a calf support for wrapping the foot/heel and a heel support for wrapping the rest of the leg. The support can easily be moved to either the patient’s left or right hand side of the foot section for ease of wrapping either leg or heel. A 12” (30.5 cm) extension adjustment accommodates even the tallest of patients. The removable leg wrapping support is made from aluminum for a lightweight yet very strong support and is non-porous coated for ease in cleaning and disinfecting.

For more information on the MTI 527 / MTI 527W Podiatry Power Chairs, the MTI 527-WC / MTI 527W-WC Wound Care Power Chairs, or the Removable Leg Wrapping Support, please call MTI’s Sales Department at (800) 924-4655 or visit our web site at www.mti.net.

*Patent pending