All lubricants Are Not created Equally.

Over the years, the lubricating jelly market has changed and has been subject of detailed investigation by the FDA and other regulatory agencies. As with many medical device items, market pressures have driven the pricing down and we have seen these pressures negatively affect product quality. In today’s healthcare environment, a company can’t expect to pay a low, low price and expect to buy quality product.

Since 1931, the Holland Rantos Company manufactured the “premium” HR Lubricating Jelly. When HR left the market in the early 2000s, Surgilube became the predominant product on the market and gained market share once owned by HR Lubricating Jelly. As pricing pressures in the 2000s became even stronger, many “commodity” type products surfaced. During this same time, many companies began sourcing products overseas in an effort to keep the costs down.

Many lubricants contain a significant amount of water as the primary ingredient. Recently, there has been a flurry of publicity regarding the inferior water quality in China and Korea; it is understandable that this fact may stir one to question what kind of water may be going into lubricants that are manufactured overseas.

It’s no secret that during the past few years the FDA has been extremely busy chastising a few companies that make lubricating and ultrasound jelly, all centering around quality. When companies are indicted, it is usually as a result of the company either not following cGMP, and/or using inferior ingredients.

When evaluating a lubricant for use, one should consider a few questions:

1. Is the product sterile?
2. Is the product made in the USA?
3. How long has the product been on the market and has there ever been an FDA recall?
4. Does the manufacturer follow cGMP?
5. Does the manufacturer follow ISO 9001:2008 production standards?
6. Does the manufacturer follow ISO 13485:2003 standards (specifically for medical devices)?
7. Is the product registered with the FDA and how many Medical Device Registrations does the product maintain?

So, are all lubricants created equally? Hands down, the answer is NO! Furthermore, you don’t have to pay a top dollar for a Premium product. HR Lubricating Jelly is your high quality, premium lubricant that carries a middle of the road price. When you sacrifice quality over a price driven commodity, you leave room for compromise and ultimately the patient may suffer.

Today’s active kids need foot support and cushioning that’s designed for growing feet. After the age of five, when the bones, muscles and ligaments of the foot begin to fully develop, Spenco Kids Insoles (along with quality shoes and pediatric care) are an important part of a kid’s foot future.

“Nursing-home patients are often not given the choice of the medical care they do and don’t get”.

Recently one of my patients transferred her 83-year-old mother from a hospital to a nursing home for physical therapy and recuperation after an illness. Upon discharge, her mother went to the nursing home by ambulance. My patient followed shortly after by car. Imagine her surprise when she learned that in the brief interval between her mother’s arrival and hers, a visiting dentist had performed an admission dental exam and—without explanation to or consent from the daughter, who held power of attorney for her mother’s health care—extracted a tooth. Her mother, who was in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, was confused and frightened. My patient was enraged.

Red flags to watch for

By Consumer Reports Magazine

SPECIAL OFFER: Buy the McKesson TrueResult Blood Glucose Monitor Starter Kit For Only $5 – Click Here.

When it comes to a blood glucose monitor system, the most important factor in choosing which to buy is reliability. Does it give the most accurate results? The McKesson brand promises reliability, and yet the unit is affordably priced. Read on to find out why you need such a meter and why this one is the best bet.

It all starts with blood, not only what keeps us alive, but what we use to diagnose our own medical conditions. This system monitors our blood glucose, which is important for people with diabetes. Keeping glucose under control, especially after a meal, leads to better health. This unit makes tracking glucose levels easy.

Not only does the monitor tell you how what your glucose levels are, but it comes with a variety of accessories. For example, it includes a log book so you can keep track of how your glucose levels change over time and with any variables you can think of, such as stress, eating certain foods or with exercise. You also get a very stylish carrying case so you can take it with you when you go out to eat.

Relief is something else which comes with using this system. You can have peace of mind when you eat, knowing that you can accurately measure and control your diabetes thanks to owning this machine. With reduced stress comes better health, and a happier you.

4MDMedical.com offers the best selection and lowest prices for all your diabetic supply needs.

Pedia Pals – Taking the Scare Out of Healthcare

Pedia Pals bridges the gap between children and medical professionals. Their pediatric medical supplies provides an entertaining and calming focus for children while improving diagnosis and treatment for these often frightened patients.

Exam Tables:

The idea behind Pedia Pals’ child friendly pediatric exam table began with Ann Kochsiek, founder of ZooPals. Her son, Ry, had been diagnosed with leukemia at age 4. Ann discovered that taking him to the hospital for treatment involved examinations on a table that Ry and other children agreed was “cold, scary, and very unfriendly.” Ann designed and patented a number of animal-shaped exam tables that have become favorites in pediatric offices all over the world. Today, Ann is Pedia Pals’ V. P. of Marketing. Ry is a healthy college graduate.

Here’s some helpful ideas from pediatricians hot to best make use of Pedia Pals products to keep patients relaxed and cooperative:

Elly The Elephant Otoscope Attachment:

We use Pedia Pals Elly the Elephant Otoscope Attachment to introduce patients to a new friend – not a cold, scary medical instrument. We tell patients: “My friend Elly just loves to whisper secrets. Can Elly whisper a secret in your ear? Great! Now you have to sit really still and be very quiet so you can hear what she’s saying.” We often then whisper a compliment, like “you’re a very good girl.” It really works.

Jamaal Giraffe Reflex Hammer:

When using Pedia Pals’ Jamaal Giraffe Reflex Hammer, let the patient become comfortable with the character. We tell patients that “Jamaal likes to be held and give kisses,” and then ask if they would like to hold Jamaal. Then explain that “Jamaal wants to give them a kiss on the knee,” and ask if they can show you where their knee is. When a patient points out his/her knee, we reassure with comments like: “That’s right. Jamaal thinks you’re really smart!” Now, when Jamaal gives our patient a ‘kiss on the knee,’ it tickles. The result is that we can test reflexes more quickly while comforting our patients.

Benjamin Bear Blood Pressure Kit:

A Benjamin Bear Blood Pressure Kit relaxes our patients by transforming a blood pressure cuff and bulb into a new friend. We explain: “This is Benjamin, and he likes to give cuddly bear hugs. I’m going to put this around your arm and hand you this little bear (the bulb). Now, if you give the little bear a hug, you’ll feel Benjamin hug you right back.” Because patients are engaged in the procedure, they don’t pay as much attention to the pressure.

Visit us at 4MDMedical.com to see more great pediatric products from Pedia Pals.

Now Available at 4MD Medical – Despicable Me 2 Graphic Bandages

Your kids will love these Despicable Me graphic bandages. Decorated bandages offer the same high quality protection as our plastic bandages including the non-stick pad to protect the wound. Kids enjoy wearing them and are encouraged not to pull them off. Easy to open and apply. Stays secure – even when wet. Latex free.

We carry a full line of decorated bandages including other popular characters such as Shrek, Garfield, and Angry Birds, as well as various other designs. Visit us at 4MDMedical.com to see more styles.

Newman Medical Professional Obstetrics Dopplers:

Each DigiDop is equipped with the revolutionary and unprecedented “Digitally Optimized Processing – DOP!”.  The sounds of fetal heartbeats will be louder and more clear than with any other Doppler available.  In addition the obstetrical probes are extremely comfortable for both you and your patients.  We’ve taken our 30 years of experience and designed the best Doppler ever made.

Doppler Features:

• Tough and durable polycarbonate and stainless steel case
• Digitally Optimized Processing – DOP™
• ‘Unbreakable’ magnetic probe holder
• All probes are interchangeable
• Each main unit comes with choice of one probe
• User replaceable cord
• Powered by 3 AA batteries
• Extended battery life
• Dimensions (h x w x l): 152 x 64 x 32 mm
• Weight: 370 grams
• Full 2 year product warranty

Please visit our site to view all qualifying products.

The Following Masks Are Eligible For This Promotion:

KC100 Surgical & Procedure Masks:

Made with an inner layer featuring So Soft™ bicomponent fabric technology. It’s breathable and designed to keep you comfortable. Earloop procedure masks are available in yellow, lavender or blue. Surgical mask with ties available in blue.

KC100 Procedure Mask, Earloops, Yellow

 KC100 Procedure Facemask, Earloop, Lavender

KC100 Anti-Fog Surgical Mask, Green

KC100 Surgical Mask, Tie, Blue

KC200 Surgical & Procedure Masks:

Designed to resist moderate fluid strike-through. Available as either surgical masks with ties or procedure masks with earloops. If the fluid risk involves potential splash and splatter, both the surgical and the procedure mask styles are also available in a wraparound visor version for added protection.

KC200 Fog-Free Procedure Mask with Wraparound Visor, Earloop, Blue

KC200 Fog-Free Surgical Mask, Tie, Blue

KC200 fog-Free Surgical Mask with Wraparound Visor, Tie, Blue

KC200 Procedure Mask, Earloop, Blue

KC300 Surgical & Procedure Masks:

The Fluidshield™ masks now meet the ATM F2100-11 Level 3 standard. Designed to provide high fluid resistance. Available as either surgical masks with ties or procedure masks with earloops and include a wraparound visor for added protection.

KC300 Fluidshield Fog-Free Procedure Mask with Wraparound Visor, Earloop, Orange

KC300 Fluidshield Fog-Free Surgical Mask Wraparound Visor Earloop Orange

Click Here to view all the masks, or visit us at 4MDmedical.com for all your protective apparel needs.

Ableware Sliding Rotating Bench Makes the Bathroom a Safer Place

If you are thinking “I didn’t know the bathroom was unsafe”, consider this: a 2011 study by the Center for Disease Control reported that hundreds of thousands of falls occur in the bathroom each year, with seniors suffering the most serious injuries. One reason for these falls is difficulty stepping over the wall of a bathtub. A solution to overcoming this is the Ableware Sliding Rotating Transfer Bench from which simplifies the process of getting into and out of the bathtub by eliminating the need for a person to step over the side.

Kathleen Hanek, Director of Product Management for Maddak Inc., U.S. manufacturer of Ableware Aids for Daily Living, explains “the Sliding Rotating Transfer Bench is extremely helpful to people who have difficulty stepping over the wall of a bathtub. It has a long seating surface and is positioned with two legs in the tub and two legs outside. This allows you to sit down on the portion of the seat that is outside and safely transfer across the seat into the inside of the tub. The sliding feature enables you to move across the bench with very little effort, and the swivel seat allows for easier transfers into the tub and optimal accessibility for caregivers.” In addition to the senior population Hanek adds “the Sliding Rotating Transfer Bench is ideal for anyone who has a lower extremity injury or a disability that prevents weight bearing on the legs”.

The Ableware Sliding Rotating Transfer Bench is height adjustable from 16 – 23″ (40.6 – 58.4 cm) and, according to Hanek, “features Maddak’s exclusive quick-change leg design that makes adjusting the height simple. The legs can be easily adjusted in 1/4″ (.64 cm) increments and they have non-slip rubber tips that hold the bench securely in place.” The legs, back and arm are all removable for easy transport and storage. Other amenities include a built-in soap tray, a shower spray holder and a slit for the shower curtain. Made of talc filled polypropylene the Sliding Rotating Transfer Bench has a weight capacity of 400 lb. (181.8 kg).

About Maddak

Maddak Inc. manufactures products that simplify the tasks of daily living – eating, drinking, dressing, grooming, bathing, toileting, etc. – for seniors, people with disabilities and people undergoing rehabilitation. The company mission is to provide quality products that enable people to maximize their independence and remain active despite any limitations they may face. Marketed under the Ableware brand name, the Maddak product line includes over 500 products sold through medical and hospital supply centers, pharmacies, homecare centers and internet outlets. Established in 1971, Maddak Inc., headquartered in Wayne, NJ is the largest U.S. manufacturer of assistive devices, clinical modalities and home healthcare and rehabilitation products.

4MD Medical is currently offering a free Sani-Bracket Floorstand Dispensing System with purchase of a case of either P13472 (Medium) or P15984 (Large) Sani-Hands Wipes. The Floorstand normally retails for $149.95.

The Sani-Hands Floorstand is a great addition any hospital, clinic, surgery center, or physician office. It’s ideal for placement in lobbies, waiting room, or any other public area. Strategic placement of infection prevention products such as PDI Sani-Wipes are key in promoting usage by healthcare workers, patients, and visitors. This helps to reduce cross-contamination and infection transmission in any setting. Appropriate signage is also available which attaches to the Floorstand and helps promote proper infection prevention procedures.