Recommend a Push/Pull Force Gauge?

Hi,

Can anyone recommend a push/pull force meter? I need the accessories to accomodate various hospital equipment, carts, beds, etc.

I am looking at the dynamometer at Roy Matheson, but I would like to know if anyone here has used one that they are happy with?

thank you!
Alexandra

Medical Office Patient Windows

Hi, I'm looking for some solutions to modifying the glass patient windows in most of our areas. We have heavy, large windows in some areas with no handles and staff are repetitively reaching to open these. Have any of you come up with anything that your Physical Plants can do to make these easier to open?

Thanks!
Valerie

Table for 9 Headed Microscope

The cytology department in my hospital uses a 9 headed microscope that 9 Dr's use simultaneously to examine slides and make reports. The department personnel ranges from the smallest to the tallest. At the table they use the microscopes, type reports and watch a monitor that displays the slides.
The table being used presently is at a fixed height, is narrow and does not allow room for keyboards or lower extremities. I am suggesting simple keyboard trays and ceiling mounted monitor arms. I trialed smaller keyboard trays to increase space but the physicians felt increased strain in their hands.
I am experiencing limitations in designing an adjustable height table because of the requirements of the microscope needing to be very still and stable so I am leaning towards raising the fixed height of the table to suit the tallest and bring the smallest up using chairs and stools.

I am having the same challenges with their 5 headed microscope.

Has anyone had any experience in cytology with this 9 headed microscope and if so, how is the workstation set up?

Thank you,

Alexandra Rella

Large Volume Pipettes

I am working with a lab that uses large volume pipettes (serological pipettes, 50mL) under a lab hood. They asked if I knew of some ergonomic solutions to alleviate the awkward posture created by using the long pipettes underneath the hood. I searched online for different kinds of pipettes with that capacity and didn't find much. Have you encountered this issue in the past? Do you have any suggestions? Thanks!

Spiking Irrigation bags

The nurses in our orthopedic surgery OR report Spiking anywhere from 4 to 20 Irrigation bags (3000 cc) per patient at the rate of approximately 6-8 patients per day. With the repetitive nature of the task and the force required, concerns have been raised regarding shoulder and other upper extremity injuries.
Just wondering if anyone has had similar experiences, any ideas on managing it, different ideas on Spiking? Thanks.

Electronic charting for nurses

Our hospital is building a new tower and is in the design process phase. They want to move to a model that decentralizes the typical nurses' stations and go with documentation "cock-pits" right outside the patient rooms. There would be windows so the staff can see into the patients' rooms while they are doing their computer charting. There has been a great deal of controversy over whether these stations should be sitting or standing. Everyone wants the option to sit down to document, but that means using high stools for the standing work stations. I have encountered other high stools in some of our current nursing units, and many of the older nurses do not like them because of hip/knee/back issues and lack of proper foot support. These stations in the new facility are meant to be the nurse's primary work area so they need to be comfortable. The other issues is the hallways are only 8 ft. wide, with the cock-pit recessed, but our public health department is not crazy about chairs/stools migrating out into the hallways. I am curious what the official stance is on using high stools in various areas and if there is any research that discusses the pros/cons of using these stools. Our Facilities Dept. is asking me for evidence to support one direction vs. another. What experience do you have with nursing documentation areas, sit vs. stand, chairs vs. high stools, etc.?

ecmo carts in hospitals

In our hospital our ECMO nurses (average age 50's) have requested Ergo assistances re: pushing the ECMO carts. The ECMO cart weighs about 425# and is pushed long distances between buildings/units in our system. They have many components and vision is also blocked during transport of the cart. I am interested in any ergo redesigns of this cart or processes, etc that have been effective in reducing the weight and/or improving vision while handling these carts. Purchasing addtional carts is not an option at this time.

thanks

Bridget