Med One Blog

By Ibby Smith Stofer

A lot has changed in how healthcare facilities evaluate and determine which products and services will ultimately be approved. Today, purchasing decisions are often made through formal committees coming to an agreement on what is the best fit for the needs of the facility. In healthcare, the sale of medical devices or services can be instantly killed by the committee that must approve projects and expenditures.

Technological updates are helping healthcare and medicine advance at a rapid pace. Seeing the profound impact on human health and wellness has been, and continues to be, inspiring. As with innovations and advances in any field, there are risks associated with rewards.

Hospital administrators are often tasked with reducing unnecessary costs to ensure their facilities can stay up and running. But knowing how to actually accomplish this goal can be daunting, at best. This often requires quite a bit of creative thinking, the following tips can make for a great start.

For all kinds of healthcare facilities, IV infusion pumps are a patient essential. In fact, according to the Materiel Services department at the University of Michigan Health Systems, 86% of all patients admitted to hospital beds require infusion pumps. Syringe pumps and smart pumps are used in both medical centers and by patients in their own homes. But to keep these infusion systems working properly and keep patient health from being compromised, specific care and cleaning instructions must be followed. The following are some of those instructions.

By Ibby Smith Stofer

In times of declining admissions, patients becoming consumers, insurance companies dictating what services they will cover, increased competition, aging physical facilities, and minimal margins; the hospital market still faces additional challenges. The economic climate and monetary policies continue to cause healthcare providers to ask themselves, “Is now the time to act?” Should we accelerate acquisition or the replacement of medical equipment? And if so, what is the best finance option?

When a medical professional needs to regulate the amount and rate of fluids given through an IV, there are two ways to accomplish this task. While the manual method has been in use for a longer period of time, the electric pump method has become the preferred technique since being introduced to the market in the 1960s. But even though hospitals and healthcare facilities use infusion pumps on a daily basis, not every staff member will be familiar with some of the terminology that pertains to this equipment. We've explained some of the most important terms in today's helpful glossary post.

If someone has a disease where they can't eat, can't take her medication properly, or needs medication to go directly into the bloodstream, they will often turn to infusion therapy. It's perfect for somebody with cancer, Crohn's disease, Ulcerative Colitis, or other internal illnesses that need to be treated using an intravenous medication.

For many hospitals, there is one overarching question: how can we be efficient while still providing the best care for our patients? Fortunately, there are countless ways for hospitals to improve efficiency. In fact, some hospitals are already practicing alternatives to do just that. If you're ready to learn some ways to be more effective, keep reading.

Infusion pumps are one of the most productive ways to get medication and fluids into a person’s body. In fact, IV therapy is considered the fastest way to deliver any kind of fluid or medication to the body, yielding a bioavailability absorption of 100%. The introduction of smart pumps and the Alaris IV pump, in particular, has made the process a lot more efficient and error-free. The software included with new pumps is one reason the Alaris IV pump can make things even more efficient and safer at hospitals.

Healthcare facilities are tasked with keeping track of all kinds of medical equipment. Hospital personnel must stay on top of inventory, assess whether equipment must be repaired, and ensure the cost of equipment stays within the confines of the operating budget. Being able to ensure that equipment is both accessible and affordable is a constant balancing act, but it's a necessary one to ensure the facility can continue to operate and that patients are able to receive the highest quality of care. With emerging technologies and healthcare reform impacting costs and quality, this is no easy feat. But if you're struggling with managing your medical equipment and its associated costs, the following tips may help.