The New Wave of Foodservice Technology in Senior Care

July 1, 2010 | by I Advance Senior Care

LTL Showroom

Dear Reader:

Welcome to the LTL Showroom. Useful and innovative products are regularly being made available to professionals in long-term care, and this special segment of the 2010 BUYERS GUIDE gives you a simple and attractive guide to some of the best.

To request information on products that can make you and your fellow caregivers more efficient, your residents more comfortable, and your facility safer and more attractive, visit https://www.iadvanceseniorcare.com/ReaderService.

Cordially,

Vacuum Cleaner

Rubbermaid Commercial Products’ DVAC 1 Pass Cleaning Solution combines multiple cleaning tasks to reduce labor time. The DVAC 1 Pass is a dolly-integrated vacuum that allows cleaning professionals to collect waste and recycling, dust, and vacuum in a single pass.

The DVAC is designed with timesaving features, including a deluxe rim caddy with storage areas and tool grips to hold supplies. The full-bag indicator tells the user that it’s time to change the filter bag or check for clogs.

For more information, call (800) 347-9800 or visit https://www.rcpwork smarter.com.

Television Remote Control

The Clean Remote, available from ALCO Sales & Service Company, has tested to be 99% cleaner than standard remotes. Its flat, nonporous surface makes it easy to clean and disinfect. The Clean Remote works on more than 200 TV brands and no codes are needed.

For more information, call (800) 323-4282 or visit https://www.alcosales.com.

Seat Cushion

Available in four sizes (Original, Standard, Pediatric, and Bariatric), EHOB’s WAFFLE® Seat Cushion redistributes a patient’s weight, provides comfort, and works to prevent and treat pressure ulcers. The cushion features a low-profile design that contours and cradles the user while seated.

The WAFFLE Seat Cushion’s air venting holes allow heat and moisture to easily dissipate for a higher level of comfort. The cushion uses static air technology to aid in the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers through Stage IV.

For more information, call (800) 899-5553 or visit https://www.ehob.com.

Mini-Pendant Lighting

Saria, a celestially inspired LED mini-pendant with a colorful glowing edge, has been introduced by Nora Lighting. Featuring a microsized glass disk that measure 4-3/4 across and 1/4 deep, the Saria produces two distinct visual effects. Model 1W-LED features a cluster of LED modules with a soft downlight glow. Model 3W-LED (shown) includes three 1-watt LEDs that produce an even, mini-flood of concentrated light without glare. Finish hardware is offered in brushed nickel and mounts to a Nora mono-point canopy.

For more information, call (800) 686-6672 or visit https://www.noralighting.com.

Therapeutic Support Surface

Invacare Continuing Care’s patented Solace Resolution Gliding mattress eliminates pressure caused by sliding on sensitive areas of a resident’s body by allowing the top and bottom sections of the mattress to move independently of each other. The lower section remains flush against the bed frame as it is raised or lowered, while the resident glides comfortably on the upper section. The Solace Resolution Gliding mattress has deep contours to maximize body contact, reducing isolated pressure points. The mattress cover’s two-way stretch material stays snug against the foam insert and its water-resistant, air-permeable fabric enhances comfort. The cover removes easily for laundering.

For more information, call (800) 333-6900 or visit https://www.invacare.com.

Spray Adhesive

Flexco®, a manufacturer of rubber, vinyl, and ESD control commercial flooring, introduces Spray-Grip spray adhesive for use with rubber tile and rubber sheet products only. Spray-Grip is a self-contained commercial-grade spray adhesive system that reduces install time and allows for immediate use of the floor after installation. Spray-Grip is 50% faster than troweling, is water-based, has no VOCs and little to no odor, uses 80% less adhesive on jobs, and allows immediate foot traffic after rolling.

For more information, call (800) 633-3151 or visit https://www.flexcofloors.com.

Cast Protectors

Carex Health Brands has introduced a new line of EZ Stretch Cast Protectors designed to keep casts and bandages completely dry while showering or bathing. Made of durable and water-resistant material that’s difficult to rip or puncture, EZ Stretch Cast Protectors easily stretch over a cast or bandage and tightly self-seal around the arm or leg.

The new Cast Protectors are latex-free, reusable, and require no tape or special straps.

For more information, call (800) 328-2935 or visit https://www.carex.com.

Portable Cleaning System

The ICS, from Hydro System Co., is an affordable, battery-powered, portable cleaning system that uses correctly dosed cleaning chemicals applied by spray nozzle using low-flow/low-pressure technology. The ICS uses 50% less water and chemicals than most traditional automated cleaning systems. It operates on a rechargeable, maintenance-free, recyclable battery.

The ICS is suitable for daily cleaning of many areas within a long-term care facility including restrooms, resident rooms, and community showers.

For more information, call (800) 543-7184 or visit https://www.hydrosystemsco.com.

Urinal Trap Seal

BlueSeal® is the Waterless Company’s long-lasting biodegradable trap seal liquid designed to work with the EcoTrap® system found in all Waterless No-Flush Urinals®. It has a specific gravity lower than urine and remains for an extended period of time in the trap with urinal use or remains indefinitely in the trap with no urinal use, sealing trap odors. It creates a barrier that prevents sewer vapors from escaping into the restroom atmosphere. BlueSeal can be used with any non-water-using urinal.

For more information, call (888) 663-5874 or visit https://www.waterless.com.

Disposable Underpad

The Attends Supersorb® Breathable Underpad has increased backsheet strength and absorbency vs. a standard poly-backed underpad. The nonwoven/poly backsheet is actually breathable making it suitable for use on airflow therapy beds or for residents at high risk for skin breakdown.

For more information, call (800) 428-8363 or visit https://www.attends.com.

Fire-Rated Door

The Special-Lite, Inc., has introduced a new fire-rated door with a “sandstone texture” fiberglass reinforced polyester (FRP) face sheet. The SL-23 Sandstone-Textured FRP-Clad Fire-Rated Door features a fine-grained face sheet with a subtle surface finish and a less glossy appearance than standard FRP surfaces. The SL-23 is available in 30-, 45-, or 60-minute rated versions for interior or exterior use.

Tested in accordance with UBC 7-2, NFPA 252, and UL 10C requirements, the SL-23 has passed the 1-hour positive pressure test, hose stream test, and 250-degree temperature rise test to achieve Warnock Hersey listing for fire-rating applications in the United States.

For more information, call (800) 821-6531 or visit https://www.special-lite.com.

Two-Way Speakerphone Pendant

MediPendant from Medical Alarm Concepts is a fully monitored two-way voice speakerphone pendant for personal emergency response. Unlike other systems that require the user to be close to the base of the unit, MediPendant users can speak and listen directly through the pendant and have a two-way conversation with an operator. With more than 600+ feet of range, the user can move inside and outside with limited restrictions.

For more information, call (877) 639-2929 or visit https://www.lifesafetymonitoring.com.

Fall Management

Crest Healthcare has a staff training video on its Fall Fighter Fall Management products. The product line includes a String Monitor, Bed and Chair Monitors, along with sensor pads. The Fall Fighter String Monitor features “Always On” monitoring with no on/off switch, multiple volume options, and snap-in battery compartment door with an optional screw. Chair and Bed Monitors also do not have an on/off button. The alarm automatically resets when a resident returns to the pad or it can be silenced with the reset button. The Fall Fighter Bed Monitor includes a nurse call interface jack, optional AC adapter input, and remote-only volume option.

For more information, call (800) 328-8908 or visit https://www.cresthealthcare.com.

Air Cleaners

OxyBreeze air cleaners are more than air purifiers, they also sterilize and deodorize up to 14,000 cu. ft. of air every 10 minutes. Manufactured by OxyBreeze, Inc. of Oakville, Ontario, Canada, these air sterilizers are designed for use in facilities where frontline workers are at a cross-contamination risk.

Combining HEPA filters, high-intensity 120W germicidal UV light and photocatalytic oxidation, the units achieve a 99.9% on a single pass to eliminate airborne H1N1 on exposure. Other benefits include capture of small airborne particles and deodorizing without the use of chemicals or ozone to reduce symptoms that may cause asthma, allergies, and respiratory illnesses.

For more information, call (866) 981-4646 or visit https://www.oxybreeze.com.

Laundry Products

Spartan Chemical’s Clothesline Fresh Laundry Break, BLD, and Sour/Softener products are now available in gallon bottles. This new portable size is perfect for laundry dispensers. The translucent container makes it easy to see when a switch out of the bottle is needed. The color and numbering system makes training simple and quick.

Clothesline Fresh laundry products contain new surfactant technology and biodegradable water softeners not found in other formulations.

For more information, call (800) 537-8990 or visit https://www.spartanchemical.com.

Therapy System

The Quadriciser Motorized Therapy System® moves all four limbs in a cross-crawl pattern while offering a wide range of motion for the user. This quadrapedal motion works both the right and left sides of the brain simultaneously while the moving limbs send signals back to the brain. The Quadriciser also works out contractures, improves gait, increases circulation, improves tone, reduces swelling, and alleviates depression by giving the user a sense of accomplishment. The Quadriciser helps those who have had a stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and more.

For more information, call (800) 688-5003 or visit https://www.quadriciser.com.

Wet Wiping System

The WetTask* System from Kimberly-Clark Professional* is a compact, enclosed wet wiping system to disinfect surfaces. Simply add the premixed solution of your choice to a closed container or bucket that dispenses wipers one at a time. Unlike cotton rags or cellulose-based wipers in open buckets, KIMTECH PREP* Wipers for the WetTask System are manufactured from specially treated synthetic fibers that are designed to work better than cotton rags with quats and bleach and maintain target disinfectant concentration over a prolonged period of use.

For more information, call (888) 346-4652 or visit https://www.kimtech.com/wettasksample.

Coffee Condiment Dispenser

United Food Group’s Perfect Servings® machines eliminate the need for sugar, sweetener, and creamer packets in facility dining rooms, bistros, and lounges. The unit dispenses a proportioned amount of coffee condiments at the push of a button. In addition to being clean and easy to use, a Perfect Servings machine saves money and cuts down on waste. The unit is small and only takes up as much counter space as a sheet of paper.

For more information, call (847) 622-1803 or visit https://www.perfectservings.com.

Heel Cream

Links Medical Products’ Hydrasyn25 is an advanced skin care product formulated to help treat and prevent cracked heels, fissures, and severe dry skin conditions in diabetics and others. Hydrasyn25 is fortified with 25% urea, a substance present in healthy young skin, which attracts, absorbs, and holds moisture; and 6% alpha hydroxyl acid (AHA), an exfoliant, to enhance the growth of healthy new skin. The cream is enriched with pure silk amino acid to nourish the skin. Hydrasyn25 is fragrance-free and non-greasy. It is available in quick-dispense five-ounce tubes.

For more information, call (888) 425-1149 or visit https://www.linksmed.com.

Smart Key Cabinets

Videx offers two smart CyberKey cabinets that provide three layers of key security: secure access to the key cabinet, secure access to individually programmed keys, and an audit report of each employee’s key activity throughout the facility.

CyberKeys that are stored in cabinets contain no permissions to open locks. When an employee needs a key, their RFID card or correct PIN must be entered to open the cabinet and entered again to request a key that contains access permissions to be programmed and released. At the end of day, the employee returns the key to the cabinet and an audit trail of the employees’ entire key and lock activity is downloaded to the software. After the cabinet reports to the software, the key automatically returns to its unprogrammed state.

For more information, call (541) 758-0521 or visit https://www.cyberlock.com.

Bed Rails

Graham-Field’s Liberty line of FDA-compliant bed rails offer added protection and reduce the risk of entrapment. The Half No-Gap Head Rail (shown) extends to eliminate the gap between the headboard and the rail’s head end. Its nontelescoping tube overlap creates a sturdy rail that can be used as a secondary handle and support. Other rails in the Liberty line include an Assist Bar, Quarter Rail, and Full-Length Rail.

Standard features include spring-loaded, self-adjusting crossbraces with stabilizers and anti-slide tabs to prevent accidental disengagement, heavy-duty steel construction powder coated with an environmentally-friendly hammer-tone finish and secure gripping surface, improved rail design that decreases the spacing between the crossbars, and more.

For more information, call (800) 347-5678 or visit https://www.grahamfield.com.

Baseboard Heater Covers

Restoring old hot water baseboard heaters and their outdated rusty metal covers is a challenge for healthcare maintenance staff.

https://BaseboardHeaterCovers.com offers a new modern alternative to this common problem. The key to this one-size-fits-most solution is the way the perforated 22-gauge galvanized steel baseboard panel slips over the existing baseboard heater cover that is nailed or screwed to the wall. This no-tools, slip-on installation process takes only seconds after the detachable front panel and endcaps on the existing heater cover are removed. Covers are available in 3′ to 7′ lengths. Special discounts are available by request for healthcare facilities.

For more information, call (800) 834-5672 or visit https://www.baseboardheatercovers.com.

Heating Window Treatment

SolarChoice Heaters are passive solar heating window treatments that generate clean, efficient, and cost-saving heat. These heaters also insulate against heat loss. Masquerading as vertical window treatments and installed on a standard head rail, SolarChoice Heaters draw cool air into the bottom of each blind via natural convection. Air travels up and along the solar-heated aluminum core and exits the top at 1.4 meters/second and validated temperatures of 120 degrees. SolarChoice Heaters insulate with an R-value of 1.73. The inside-facing side of the heating vanes are available in 10 colors and inside and outside mounts.

For more information, call (888) 743-26643 or visit https://solarchoiceheat.com.

Maureen Hrehocik, Editor Long-Term Living 2010 July;59(7):42-47

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