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Three products Acute Care facilities should keep on-hand

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Although keeping your supplies stocked using a just-in-time inventory strategy may increase efficiency and decrease waste, it may not be the best practice for every acute care facility. This may be especially true for facilities in remote locations that can be harder for suppliers to reach quickly. There are some products that hospitals should keep on-hand to ensure they can accommodate the needs of every patient that enters their facility.

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Disposable personal pillows

Most acute care leadership teams have learned by now that pillow selection and management is a major factor in patient care. Pillows do play a role in a patient’s physical comfort, but they can also combat serious underlying complications such as Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs), which could develop from bacteria and pathogens frequently found on improperly managed reusable hospital pillows.

Disposable personal pillows offer additional safety for risk management programs because they are fresh and clean for each patient. Fresh Start™ disposa

ble pillows come individually shrink-wrapped and in a dispenser box for quick easy access in high usage areas. These pillows are ideal for patient rooms, outpatient and critical care areas.

Encompass Group has recently introduced its Pillow Management Program Guide to help acute care facilities prevent HAIs and enhance patient experience. This guide can help you find the right disposable pillow for your facility.

Patient apparel to meet each patient’s unique needs

Every patient is different, which means that one standard hospital gown isn’t going to meet every patient’s needs. Not only does your supply chain team need to consider patient apparel to accommodate various age groups (adults, pediatrics) and sizes. It must also consider apparel based on patient needs.

For example, the Evolution™ Behavioral Health Patient Apparel is one of Encompass Group’s newest product offerings, created in direct response to the acute care industry’s need for products that are designed specifically to accommodate the unique needs of their growing behavioral health management patient population

These specially-designed single-patient-use pajamas achieve a higher level of safety when compared to traditional hospital apparel thanks to five elements: disposable material, no bindings, no drawstring, no pocket in the pant, and an easily identifiable look that allows providers to identify behavioral health patients at-a-glance. Patients also love the superior comfort offered through soft materials, a lightweight elastic waistband that securely holds pants in proper position and a calming green-color, all elements that help uphold patient dignity.

Patient safety footwear

Another key product that acute care facilities should be sure to keep in stock is patient safety footwear.   This should include footwear that prevents falls for mobile patients as well as footwear that protects patients who may not be able to move around much.

A patient fall in your facility could result in fractures, lacerations, or internal bleeding, leading to an increased length-of-stay. Fall prevention involves managing a patient's underlying fall risk factors and your facility’s environment as well as providing the proper footwear.

Non-slip, no-skid tread footwear can to help prevent patient falls and reduce sliding. They are usually available in a variety of colors, sizes and styles, to afford patients a secure fit and optimal comfort. You can also use these non-slip socks to identify patients at risk for various conditions. The footwear can be color-coded to match your facility’s risk codes, such as yellow for falls or green for behavioral health. Look for a style with non-slip safety treads on both sides of the sock to help prevent falls if the sock does twist around the patient’s foot.

Although purchasing supplies as needed may cut inventory costs, stocking up on basic supplies can help your facility provide the best care possible for every patient.

Encompass Group offers a wide range of patient-focused products aimed to increase patient safety and comfort. Call 1-800-284-4540 or email me today to learn more about what cost-effective, safety and comfort solutions you should add to your stock to ensure you’re prepared.

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