Archive for May, 2012
Advances in Medical Engineering Benefits Public Health
Posted by admin in Health Medical on May 14, 2012
Medical engineering is a vital component of the healthcare industry and, in turn, a vital component of public health. By supplying health practitioners with the latest advancements in medical equipment and technology, the field of medical engineering supports the health and wellbeing of millions of people every year.
Many advances in the field of medical engineering today seem commonplace. But the development of essential life-saving and life-improving tools like hip replacements, pacemakers, medical imaging, life support systems and medical lasers would not have been possible without research and development in the field of medical engineering.
How Medical Engineering Benefits the Public Health Sector
The healthcare industry is the world’s biggest industrial sector with an annual turnover of approximately £100 billion and is currently expanding at a rate of 7% per annum.
As such a quintessential industry, and with the provision of quality and reliable healthcare a fundamental concern for every individual, it is essential for the healthcare industry to be supported by the medical engineering industry.
It does this by conducting extensive research and development in the production of efficient, reliable and safe medical equipment and technology.
From evaluating medical equipment at the design stage, to testing the parameters and limitations of medical equipment, the work of engineers assesses the viability and functionality of medical equipment and its components in order to assure quality and reliabilty for medical practitioners working in the healthcare industry.
Improving Quality of Life for the Public
The advancements in medical technology not only assist medical practitioners in their work. Patients, and therefore the public at large, also rely on these advancements for their quality of life.
Hip replacement devices are just one area where medical engineering is playing a vital role in supporting health practitioners and benefitting public health. As a very common operation, hip replacement surgery has brought pain relief and renewed mobility to millions of people worldwide. Continuing research is further exploring ways to improve the performance of artificial hip joints and extend life-spans so they can be used for longer periods and on younger and more active patients. Read the rest of this entry »
How Disposable Medical Supplies Changed The World
Posted by admin in Medical Supplies on May 13, 2012
Over the course of the last century, medical science has significantly improved. Alongside the decreased incidence of morbidity, the average lifespan has obviously scaled up. This is attributed to the advancement of the healthcare system.
Perhaps, one of the greatest achievements of modern medicine is the reduction of hospital-acquired infections. Back in the 18th and 19th century, deaths due to hospital infection were widespread and highly alarming. Today, healthcare-associated morbidity and mortality cases are sporadic and well-controlled. Disposable Medical Supplies have done a good job in this respect. By using disposable medical equipment, the risk of spreading nosocomial infections is substantially reduced.
Disposable Medical Supplies are specifically designed to meet every patient’s specific needs. Since these products are intended for single use, they are priced reasonably. However, their durability is somewhat limited, often only enough for short-term use.
The most commonly used disposable products in many healthcare settings include paper towels, wet wipes, handkerchief, toilet paper, face tissue, condoms and other external contraceptive products. Although such supplies are meant for healthcare use, they may also be used in the home setting. In fact, there are a lot of families that now consider use of such disposable goods to help prevent spread of infection in the household.
There are also disposable medical supplies that are exclusively designed for use in the healthcare setting. Specialized and medicated cotton swabs, enemas, sterile and clean gloves and other medical safety accessories. These medical supplies are essential in ensuring isolation of cases. They help mitigate the possibility of cross contamination between and among the patients. Usually, people who are confined in the hospital have depressed immune system and they cannot afford being subjected into any kind of infection.
There are also popular disposable medical supplies that have found their way to the mainstream market. Cotton swabs, dental floss, toothbrushes, adult and baby diapers, and bandages have become a regular part of the society’s everyday life. These supplies once exclusively used within the healthcare settings have become part of the household. Read the rest of this entry »