Medical Supplies and Medical Equipment

How do you know what to consider when purchasing medical equipment? There are different aspects to consider in selecting medical supplies and medical equipment. It is not an easy task because of the wide variety of products available. Choosing quality medical supplies and medical equipment should be given thought and attention as you may end up with inappropriate items. Supplies may be deemed inappropriate if they are incompatible with the existing equipment, or if accessories and spare parts are no longer available.

The term medical supplies refer to items that are replaced on a regular basis. It can be classified into three categories; disposables, expendables and reusable items. Disposables are single use items like syringes and needles while consumables are items that can be used within a short span of time like laboratory stains, cotton wools and tape. Reusable items, on the other hand, are items that can be utilized in a limited amount of time such as thermometers and catheters. Medical equipment in contrast consists of durable items that can last for several years and are considered to be capital equipment. Examples of medical equipment include examination tables, beds, microscopes, weighing scales, sterilizers, and bedpans. In purchasing medical supplies and equipment, it is best to label items to help set priorities. There are items that are vital to health services, as well as items that are considered beneficial but are not quite critical and lastly, things that are only used for minor issues. Placing medical supplies and medical equipment in these categories will help in focusing on which items to purchase, especially if there are limited funds.

Once you determine which items are vital and essential, the next thing to consider would be the appropriateness of the items. For instance, equipment should not be replaced just because there are newer models available in the market. Some items are too technically complicated so it is best to consult with a member of the facility who is familiar with using the apparatus. A spare or replacement part, on the other hand, should be compatible with the existing equipment. Another thing to take into consideration is quality. If the item is expected to be used frequently for a long period, then it should be considered an investment and it is advised to purchase one of exceptionally high quality. Ask the manufacturer about the maintenance information and life span expectancy of medical equipments before purchase. Check the labels and packaging of any item for storage instructions and expiration dates for medical supplies.

The Most Common Types of Mental Disorders

A significantly large number of the population suffers from mental illnesses. These illnesses range from slight annoyances to serious, debilitating conditions. Here are the most common types of mental illnesses and how they affect those who suffer from them.

Anxiety Disorders

When you suffer from an anxiety disorder, fear, dread worry, nervousness and panic rule your daily life. While these feelings are normal in all of us, a person with anxiety disease feels them when it's not appropriate to. They get so out of hand that they interfere with your daily life.

Different types of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, panic disorder, and separation anxiety.

Mood Disorders

Mood disorders, also known as affective disorders, are marked by extreme sadness or happiness, and sometimes both. If you have a mood disease, you may have violent mood swings that are far beyond the usual ups and downs we all feel. Mood disorders are often related to substance abuse problems.

Mood disorders include chronic depression, mania, bipolar disorder, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and dysthymia.

Psychotic Disorders

Psychotic disorders are among the most debilitating. Many people who suffer from them need to live in supervised assisted housing. Hospital stays are also quite common. Psychotic disorders are marked by distorted perceptions and thinking, hallucinations, and delusions. The most common psychotic disease is schizophrenia.

Eating Disorders

If you suffer from an eating disorder, you may have extreme thoughts and behavioral patterns related to food and weight. Most eating diseases come from a skewed perception of your own body weight. The most common are anorexia and bulimia.

Addictions

Addictions are actually a form of mental illness. When a certain substance is used over a long period of time, it changes your brain chemistry and you become dependent on it. Substances are often abused in this way in order to deal with depression, anxiety or past trauma.

The most common addictions are to drugs such as tobacco, alcohol, prescription medications, opiates and stimulants. Certain behaviors can also be addictive. These include gambling, playing the lottery, sex, pornography, surfing the internet, eating, and even shopping.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program

With the growth in the physical therapy field, physical therapist assistant programs are becoming more and more popular. The attractive salary and benefits that it offers and the uncomplicated nature of procedures involved in this part of the medical field, makes it a popular choice for graduates these days.

Also on account of the current economic situation in the US, a lot of people are being forced to stay in careers that are in danger of disappearing. Many people have been laid off during this time and now find it difficult to make ends meet. Utility bills, mortgages, medical, food etc are a few of the many financial and social pressures people have come into. With this, people are considering occupations they had never before thought about and are switching away from fields that are having less jobs as compared to the number of candidates swarming in.

A job as a physical therapist assistant is an area in healthcare that people are showing interest in. An initial training of just two years can get you this great position and can provide you with starting salary of $40,000 per annum. Hence, by acquiring an Associate's Degree you can more than replace the average salary. Also, this career is not limited geographically. Physical therapy is not only practiced in all states in US but also all over the world.

Now having decided to pursue this medical field, there are some important choices we have to make.

• Firstly you need to decide that whether you'll go for a vocational school that focus on healthcare programs or a Community College or University that offers training in this specialty.
• Then if you can be a full time student or a part time.
• Also, if you'll be an on-campus student or if you want to go for online physical therapist assistant program.

Measure the pros and cons of every choice and then decide depending on what suits your lifestyle and pocket.

Vocational Schools

The most important thing to consider for vocational schools is accreditation. Unless the American Physical Therapy Association accredits the school, their students cannot take the licensing exam to become certified and hence to lawfully practice with a physical therapist.

Another thing to consider is whether the credits acquired are transferable to most state colleges or universities. This is important because if later you decide to pursue your career as a physical therapist then you'll have to start from the beginning to acquire a bachelor's degree and then a master's degree, if your credits from the vocational physical therapy assistant program are not transferable to a regionally accredited college.