Med One Blog

Back in the day, people would sport leather-and-steel watches on their wrists. They were the go-to tool for checking the time when smartphones were nonexistent. But nowadays, more and more people are switching from these traditional watches to something with a little more technology. The smartwatch is the high-tech successor of wristwatches, and it has become a convenient way for people to personally monitor and track aspects of their health and fitness.

What do you think of when you hear the word "hospital"? The first image that comes to mind is probably a massive, stark-white building marked with the Rod of Asclepius (the traditional symbol of medicine). But that image could change in the near future. Current healthcare trends involve disinvesting in real estate. Healthcare facilities are finding ways to cut down on time and money spent on in-person facilities and reinvest them into other areas of healthcare. Here are some trends driving the future of healthcare real estate and what they mean.

Most people have at least a vague understanding of what IVs are. IVs administer essential medications or other substances directly into a patient's bloodstream. They consist of a fluid-filled bag, a tube fluid travels through, and a needle that injects the fluid into the bloodstream through the veins. Meanwhile, an IV pump controls how much fluid is being released from the bag and delivered to the patient.

High-quality and functioning medical equipment is a must-have for hospitals. Without this indispensable equipment, medical professionals couldn’t do what they do best—provide patients with the best possible care.

Today, infusion pumps are found in hospitals worldwide. These essential medical devices are used to feed and medicate patients directly. But infusion pumps weren't always commonplace in healthcare settings. The first functional infusion pump wasn't invented until 1970. Earlier models existed, but they were clunky, inaccessible for most hospitals, and hard to use.

As one of the more commonly used infusion pumps, the Baxter Sigma Spectrum is a small and lightweight smart pump that clinicians can use in various healthcare settings. We recently created a new training video to take a closer look at the different features of the Sigma pump, how to use the pump, and a few tricks and tips that will help healthcare workers and educators be able to use this Baxter IV pump effectively.

Respiratory illnesses and infections can spread from person to person with ease. To prevent the transmission of these infections in hospital settings, healthcare facilities should never understate or ignore the importance of respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette.

Many medical professionals employ intravenous (IV) therapy, which uses a bag, catheter, and needle to deliver medication, nutrition, and other essential fluids through the patient's vein directly into the bloodstream. When administered correctly, IV therapy is extremely safe. But like any medical technique or procedure, complications can arise. The most common complications associated with IV therapy are infiltration and extravasation, which occur when fluid leaks into the tissue surrounding the vein. Luckily, healthcare facilities can prevent these complications by taking the proper precautionary measures. Knowing the difference between infiltration and extravasation is the first step in identifying and treating patients.

In the healthcare field, where the security and privacy of patient information are paramount, blockchain technology could prove an effective solution to improving how valuable data gets stored. But what is blockchain technology, and how does it work? What advantages do blockchain databases have over other data storage technologies? Let's look at some blockchain applications in healthcare.

Medical professionals come into contact with a variety of bodily substances and hazardous materials every day. With the proper handling, these substances and materials are rarely dangerous. But improper handling can result in infection and disease.