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For people who spend the majority of their days sitting in standard wheelchairs or lying in beds, pressure sores are a very probable reality. Yet they don't have to be, thanks to assistive technology like tilt or recline wheelchairs that help distribute pressure to other parts of the body. While pressure relief is the main objective to using either a tilt wheelchair or a recline wheelchair, each has its unique qualities that help with posture. (Even though some chairs come with both tilt and recline options, for clarity purposes, they will be addressed as two separate seating systems.) "Obviously, a tilt wheelchair does a better job of providing postural stability by not changing any of the angles of the knee and hip, while recliners allow the pelvis and hips to move through approximately 90 degrees of motion. Both seating systems have their own specific functions," noted David Kreutz, PT, seating specialist at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta. Reclining wheelchairs move the body from a flexed position to an extended position, making the chairs more likely to elicit a spastic response in the user. Because tilt and recline chairs use gravity to their advantage and come with head rests, patients who have poor head, neck and trunk control may benefit from the stability and balance they provide. When in tilt or recline, gravity helps the patient improve balance and head control. Once a tilt chair is prescribed for a patient, it is important to teach the caregivers how to use the tilt function and position the patient correctly. If a patient is cognitively intact, it is also important to teach that individual how he or she should be positioned in the chair, to be able to instruct caregivers. Candidates who would be suited for a recliner chair are those who cannot achieve a 90-degree hip-to-back angle when sitting. For example, patients who have hip precautions following total hip replacement surgery, patients who have had cardiac surgery and might develop

Patients want to be active partners in their healthcare decisions - and eye care is no exception. Patient education is vital for understanding diagnoses, treatment options, and the importance of preventative care. When Patients understand what's happening with their health, they're far more likely to follow their treatment plan and see good results. Here's a deeper look at why Patient education matters. Patient-Centered Care: The Key to Success The Institute of Medicine emphasizes the importance of Patient-centered care. This means involving Patients in decision-making and providing them with the necessary education for informed choices. This approach is even more crucial in eye care, where conditions can lead to irreversible blindness. The Need for Patient Education Research shows that many Patients crave educational materials from their eye care providers, but many don't receive them. This leaves Patients searching for information on their own, potentially turning to unreliable sources. Clear, accessible Patient education is vital in ensuring understanding and treatment adherence.For instance, Patient education is crucial in preventing diseases like glaucoma. The more informed Patients are, the more chances they will discover early signs of disease by taking OCT test for glaucoma.

Patient safety should remain a top priority in any healthcare setting. People should always receive the right advice, and pharmacists aren't 'GPs on the cheap.' Staff should be fully trained, and medical equipment should be correctly maintained at all times. In turn, this helps create a safer environment for Patients and professionals alike. In this article, we'll discuss some of the factors that can enhance Patient safety in healthcare settings. AUTOMATION AND MONITORING Automating processes within a facility can help streamline operations. This has the potential to reduce or eliminate human error that could result in serious injury or death. In addition, automated systems often provide instant alerts when something goes wrong - allowing medical staff to react quickly and appropriately. Automated solutions can help facilities achieve hand hygiene monitoring standards, and it's possible to schedule a demo and see their outcomes. They can reduce staff sick time and HAIs, as well as Joint Commission citations and associated costs. Monitoring helps ensure compliance with safety protocols. It's essential for improving Patient safety and gaining data on all aspects of a facility's operations. It also helps organizations track the effectiveness of their protocols and procedures over time. This helps them constantly evaluate and refine their policies, to maximize Patient safety benefits. ADEQUATE STAFFING In order to provide quality care, it's essential to have enough staff on hand to meet Patient needs and ensure all protocols are being followed. Without this, healthcare providers may struggle to provide prompt, efficient care - which can put Patient safety at risk. Adequate staffing levels should be determined by a variety of factors. They include Patient numbers, the complexity of care required, and the size and layout of the facility.

Community pharmacy chain Jardines Pharmacy has partnered with patient relationship management platform Charac to launch a new app designed to digitalise its services, enhance operational efficiency, and elevate customer satisfaction. The app allows patients to order repeat prescriptions, access medicine home delivery and book consultations with their pharmacist all in one place, enabling faster pharmacist-to-patient care. By incorporating Charac's platform into its business, Jardines is able to boost prescription dispensing efficiency, helping reducing wait times for patients. Additionally, its delivery feature enables patients to track their orders directly through the app, thereby streamlining the overall patient experience. The app also minimises administrative and manual tasks for pharmacists, giving them more time to focus on helping patients and delivering the outstanding customer service. patients of Jardines can also use the app to book appointments digitally for Pharmacy First consultations, blood pressure checks, earwax removal, travel vaccinations, and emergency contraception services. Santosh Sahu, Founder and CEO of Charac, said: "We are pleased to support Jardines Pharmacy and its patients across England. Our mission is to ensure that community pharmacies are empowered to digitalise, making care easier and more accessible for patients.

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA), representing independent community pharmacies, has called for tougher regulation of the online sale of weight loss jabs to protect patients amid a prediction of a new year's boom in demand. The association argues that current regulation "leaves the door open for medicines to be supplied without appropriate patient consultation and access to patient records." It has urged the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) to require greater consultation with patients before dispensing weight loss jabs and other high-risk medication online. The association stressed that online sellers should not just rely on information provided in online questionnaires but also gather important historical medical information before a full two-way consultation between prescriber and patient. Draft guidelines on weight loss medication The GPhC proposed changes to their current guidance for online pharmacies to improve patient safety. It launched a consultation on the revised guidance on 17 September, inviting feedback until 9 October 2024 from the public, carers, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, other healthcare professionals, and pharmacy owners. In its response to proposed guidelines on prescribing weight loss medication, the NPA highlighted critical gaps, stating that proposed safeguards "still leaves the door open for medicines to be prescribed/supplied without appropriate two-way direct patient consultation and access to patient records for a full clinical picture particularly where high-risk medicines are involved, and the risk to patient safety remains".

Medical tourism is growing by leaps and bounds as people realize the benefits of cost saving and excellent treatment they receive in countries other than their own. People from the CIS, for instance, had to look to European countries like Germany, France and the UK for treatment and in all these countries the treatment is expensive not to speak of stay and travel. Asian countries like India, Thailand and Sri Lanka are proving to be the better alternatives. The deterrent is how to find the best facility at the best cost and proceed. This is where a healthcare facilitator steps in and takes care of everything much to the relief of the patient and his family. The vital bridge Healthcare facilitators act as the vital bridge between the patient and the treatment facility that matches their needs. If you are in the US, UK, Australia, the CIS countries or in any African country and wish to find the best facility in India, for instance, the facilitator is the one to get in touch with. They maintain database of hospitals and surgeons across the country, know their specialization and how much treatment can cost. Healthcare facilitators put you in touch with a medical institution that will give the best in terms of quality of treatment and cost. They do this by first going through your medical records and getting their panel of medical experts to match the ailment with a hospital. patients get the benefit of expertise and save time and a great deal of money in the process. patients receive invaluable assistance in: * Travel to the hospital * Scheduling appointments * Recommendations so that they receive personalized care * Supervision by the facilitator's own doctor to ensure that everything is being done right and, if not, patients may be switched to another hospital * Assistance with documentation and paper work * Assistance with procurement of medications * Negotiating the best rate with discount for stay and treatment * Assistance to family members

While responding to the consultation on hub and spoke dispensing, trade unions for pharmacists have emphasised that the patient safety and care must be the priority in hub and spoke dispensing. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has welcomed the opportunity provided by a change in legislation to enable community pharmacies to make use of hub and spoke dispensing but reaffirmed that patient care must be at the heart of future changes. With regards to patient safety, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) considers that only Model 1 is appropriate, with manageable risks related to patient safety, and is a model that has the potential to allow the whole sector to benefit fairly. In its response to the consultation on Hub and Spoke dispensing, PSNC highlighted that Model 2 in the consultation, a hub direct to patient supply of dispensed medicines, raises patient safety issues and it cannot be supported. RPS President Professor Claire Anderson said: "In all models, patients need to continue to have access to a pharmacist at the time of supply of medicines so they have the opportunity to discuss, ask questions or raise concerns, and receive appropriate information with counselling and advice.

Walgreens Boots Alliance has announced the launch of its new clinical trials business that aims to use patient data from its pharmacies to help drive up recruitment in studies conducted by drugmakers. With patient recruitment and enrollment remain key challenges in clinical trials, further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the company said it can proactively match diverse patient populations to trials across a range of disease areas based on race, gender, socioeconomic status and location with its patient reach and access to an extensive foundation of pharmacy and patient-authorised clinical data. The Boots owner also believes that by leveraging a tech-enabled approach to patient identification and creating a large registry of clinical trial participants, the company will be able to reduce the time it takes to match eligible patients to clinical trials. "Walgreens trusted community presence across the nation, combined with our enterprise-wide data and health capabilities, enables us to pioneer a comprehensive solution that makes health options, including clinical trials, more accessible, convenient and equitable," said Ramita Tandon, chief clinical trials officer, Walgreens.

Southdowns Pharmacy was honoured for its outstanding efforts to uphold patient safety standards, particularly in the dispensing of valproate, at the recent Independent Pharmacy Association (IPA) Ball 2024 in London. Expressing his joy upon receiving the IPA patient Safety Award, Nemesh Patel, Managing Director of the Southdowns Pharmacy Group, said: "IPA is an organisation that represents thousands of independent pharmacies, and to achieve such recognition is truly humbling and exciting at the same time. "Our teams work exceptionally hard for their patients and to be recognised amongst hundreds of other pharmacies is truly wonderful." Southdowns Pharmacy Group serves the communities of Emsworth, Havant, Leigh Park, and Rowlands Castle in East Hampshire. patient Safety Initiatives When asked about the initiatives that earned this accolade, Nemesh explained: "Our teams have completed several audits over the past 24 months to identify patients taking valproate products who may become pregnant. "Pharmacists, including myself, have engaged with these patients to discuss the risks associated with taking valproate during pregnancy."

Neck pain is a widespread problem and a costly health disease. Tynor Cervical Orthosis (Philadelphia) Ethafoam is an effective intervention to manage patients with the neck pain. This is scientifically designed for trauma, burn and cervical patients which allows the patients to move comfortably. It ensures complete immobilization and provides proper comfort to patients. It will allow to involve in any activity without being worried. It permits rest to the chin and the patient can relax down easily without any stress on the neck. It is easy to fit and does not get attached to the neck, thus gives a perfect support. It is light in weight and it can carry this easily. It has a tracheotomy opening which promotes ventilation of air and keep away from sweating problems. It is clinically tested and can be easy to clean and maintain. It is adjustable and it can adjust it according to the comfort. It is safe for all types of patients even in older patients. Its good quality material increases its shelf life. Cervical Orthosis (Philadelphia) Ethafoam is an advanced collar with scientific design which ensures complete immobilization on one hand and perfect comfort on the other. It is called as a gold standard in cervical immobilization. Ultimate comfort. Perfect immobilization. Anatomically moulded. Minimal contact surface. Hypoallergenic. Cervical Orthosis (Philadelphia) Ethafoam Features Pre-formed chin Provides rest to the chin, ensures comfort, improves immobilization. Anatomical and balloon design Offers perfect immobilization, minimal contact of the neck, allows use in burn or trauma patients. Hypoallergenic materials Ensures no rash or allergy even on prolonged use, compatible to geriatrics, better patient compliance . Tracheotomy opening Compatible to use of endotracheal tube, improves air ventilation, improves patient comfort and compliance. Two piece design Easy application, firm occipital support, option for varying rigidity. Ethaf

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published a new diagnostic guidance to enhance CYP2C19 genotype testing to guide clopidogrel use for patients who have suffered an ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. Published in July, the diagnostic guidance also emphasised the vital role of pharmacists and pharmacies in the implementation of CYP2C19 genotype testing used to guide prescribed antiplatelet medication. According to the NICE guidance, pharmacists with their expertise in pharmacogenomics and patient medication management, will be integral in interpreting test results and recommending appropriate antiplatelet therapy. It also highlighted the need for close collaboration with other healthcare professionals to ensure effective implementation across various care settings for stroke patients. The diagnostics advisory committee, a standing advisory committee of NICE, agreed that it should be possible to gather samples for genotype testing at a location that is convenient for the person having the test and highlighted the role of pharmacies as accessible locations for CYP2C19 genotype testing.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published a new diagnostic guidance to enhance CYP2C19 genotype testing to guide clopidogrel use for patients who have suffered an ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. Published in July, the diagnostic guidance also emphasised the vital role of pharmacists and pharmacies in the implementation of CYP2C19 genotype testing used to guide prescribed antiplatelet medication. According to the NICE guidance, pharmacists with their expertise in pharmacogenomics and patient medication management, will be integral in interpreting test results and recommending appropriate antiplatelet therapy. It also highlighted the need for close collaboration with other healthcare professionals to ensure effective implementation across various care settings for stroke patients. The d

A Pediatric Wheelchair is a very important piece of mobility equipment for any patient. There are many instances where a patient would find himself in need of one, no just in cases of long-term disability. Upon admittance and discharge from the hospital, a patient is wheeled around. Those with temporary hurts to their lower extremities will also need a Pediatric Wheelchair for a short time. No matter the reasons for needing a Pediatric Wheelchair, many will find themselves looking for the right one for themselves, their patients, or for their medical care facility. For a pediatrician seeking to prescribe a Pediatric Wheelchair, must be sure that the patient has the proper upper body strength to use one. If the patient is too weak for self movement, the practitioner would be better to consider a powered wheelchair for mobility. While Pediatric Wheelchairs are smaller and can be just as manuverable as scooters, that depends upon the patient's own abilities in steering the chair. These are factors that the doctor must think about before recommending what type of wheelchair a patient should get. Cerebral Palsy Wheelchair: Cerebral Palsy Wheelchair Description: The model designed for cerebral palsy child only. Ultra light weight aluminium alloy frame Seat Width 38 cms (15") Net Weight: 18.5 kgs Epoxy powder coated frame Detachable arm rest & foot rest provided Elevated and swinging foot rest Elevated foot rest provided to elevate leg angle Height adjustable and detachable head rest Hydraulic reclining high back for a comfortable posture Hydraulic adjustable seat angle Detachable back and seat pad Extra cushion upholstery provided to under arm, head & calg Foldable Lever and paddle brakes provided Safety belt provided Maintenance free rear solid wheels Cloth look like water proof upholstery Anti wheels for better safety and stability Extra cushion upholstery provided to under arm, head & leg Folding action Lever and paddle brakes provided

Alphega Pharmacy Oncology Support Programme allows community pharmacists from six European countries to enhance support and guidance they provide to cancer patients. The programme aims to help upskill pharmacists and their teams to provide more expert advice to patients living with cancer, raising their profile in the community as key healthcare providers. Enhancing knowledge amongst community pharmacists about cancer treatment and its side effects is vital as cancer cases are set to increase if current trends continue. The programme covers practical help topics, such as oral care, nutrition advice and skin, hair and nail care among others, helping patients to get more of the support they need because community pharmacists are easily accessible, rather than needing to book a GP or consultant appointment. With rates of cancer forecast to rise throughout Europe , and cancer patients likely on average to visit hospital less often, community pharmacists are well-placed to look to support cancer patients with managing the side-effects of their treatment.

AstraZeneca on Wednesday (April 5) said a combination of its cancer drugs Imfinzi and Lynparza met the main goal in a late-stage trial in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. The drugmaker said treatment with a combination of those drugs, along with chemotherapy and bevacizumab - the existing standard of care - improved progression-free survival in newly diagnosed patients with advanced ovarian cancer without certain mutations. Lynparza is jointly developed with U.S.-based Merck & Co as a treatment for breast cancer in early stage with certain mutations. Imfinzi alone, along with chemotherapy and bevacizumab, did not reach statistical significance in its interim analysis, the drugmaker added. Philipp Harter, director, Department of Gynaecology and Gynaecologic Oncology, Evangelische Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Germany and principal investigator for the trial, said: "DUO-O showcases the power of academia and industry collaboration in advancing new treatment combinations for patients with ovarian cancer. I'm grateful for the academic cooperative study groups and patients around the world that made this trial possible and look forward to sharing the results with the clinical community." Susan Galbraith, executive vice president, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, said: "While there has been significant progress for patients with advanced ovarian cancer, an unmet need still remains. These data from the DUO-O trial provide encouraging evidence for this this Lynparza and Imfinzi combination in patients without tumour BRCA mutations and reinforce our continued commitment to finding new treatment approaches for these patients. It will be important to understand the key secondary endpoints as well as data for relevant subgroups."

Over the last few years pharmacy and the role of pharmacy teams has changed dramatically. The introduction of technology and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) within systems that provide healthcare and support to pharmacies holds great promise; for improving access to health, supporting patient outcomes, and optimising operational efficiency. Currently, the potential use of AI could span the whole of the medicines value chain, from AI-driven drug discovery to personalised medicines and automated dispensing systems. However, the rapid advancement of AI technology does raise several ethical concerns. This article will explore these concerns and how they can be addressed. In previous articles, I have discussed what underpins artificially intelligent machines and the importance of data. Datasets are the foundation on which AI algorithms learn and generate conclusions. The first step to understanding the potential ethical implications of AI across the pharmacy sector is to understand the data that is held within these foundational datasets. patient privacy and data security AI systems in and outside of the pharmacy sector, which support patient care, rely heavily on vast amounts of medical data (patient medical records, PMR data, etc). However, the collection, storage, and use of such sensitive data can possibly bring significant privacy concerns. GDPR compliance is essential within the UK and ethical questions arise around data ownership, patient consent, and the possibility of data and cybersecurity breaches. As frontline healthcare professionals, we need to be able to support our patients when questions are asked about their data. For example, how can patients be sure their data is used only for its intended purposes? Is anonymised data truly safe from de-identification techniques that could expose private information?

The Royal College of GPs (RCGP) has called on the government to increase investment in general practice, stating that they are now "seriously struggling" due to years of underfunding and neglect. As evidence of the mounting workload pressures faced by GPs, new research published by the RCGP has revealed that GPs are now responsible for an average of 2,300 patients each. Concerningly, the ratio has become even worse in areas of higher deprivation, where the need is greatest. The RCGP research found that over the past six years, the average number of patients per GP in areas with the highest level of income deprivation has risen by 260, marking a 12 per cent increase-nearly double the rate observed in the least deprived areas. In these areas, one GP is responsible for 2,450 patients, which is over 300 more patients than their counterparts in the least deprived regions. Addressing the RCGP's annual conference 2024 in Liverpool on Thursday, College Chair Professor Kamila Hawthorne said: "When I became a GP, it was normal to have a list size between 1,600-1,800 patients. The role was busy and challenging, but it was manageable. Our latest figures reveal that the average is now 2,300.

A wheelchair can help you regain mobility lost due to an injury or chronic health condition. Depending on the size and ability of the user, a lightweight wheelchair or heavy duty wheelchair might be for daily use or as an aid when you need to go a distance farther or longer than you can comfortably walk or stand. Traditional self-propelled wheelchairs have two large rear wheels and a pair of smaller wheels in the front. Advances in design and materials have made different wheelchair models available to suit different needs and body types. Lightweight wheelchairs are easier to maneuver as well as being easier to take on trips, when the wheelchair will be folded and stowed in a car trunk. Wheelchairs of all types typically support up to 250 pounds of body weight. For those with a higher weight, heavy duty wheelchairs, also called bariatric wheelchairs, provide a wider seat for comfort and stronger frame for durability and support. Heavy-duty chairs offer wider seat widths and weight capacity up to 500-lbs. These are folding wheelchairs, shipped assembled ready to use right out of the box.The adaptive equipment is built with a carbon steel frame, extra heavy duty front forks, dual cross bars, reinforced side frame and steel gussets capable of holding up to 700 lbs. The frame has a chrome, chip-proof finish and the upholstery is reinforced making this an easy-to-maintain and durable wheelchair. The mobility aid also comes standard with steel spoke wheels with chrome hand rims, extra large padded armrests for comfort, flat free 8" front casters and push-to-lock wheel locks. Footplates (sold separately). features Extra heavy duty front forks Extra large heavy duty aluminum tapered footplates provide maximum support and are attractive and crack proof (Must be ordered separately) Extra large, contoured plastic armrests provide comfort and support Footrests are tapered for comfort Heavy duty, flat free 8" front casters are adjustable in 2 positions Pow