The Crucial Role that Scales Provide in Healthcare Settings

In the world of healthcare, precision is paramount. Every decision, every diagnosis, and every treatment plan relies on accurate data. One might not immediately think of scales as the heroes of healthcare, but they do play a pivotal role in maintaining patient health and safety. From monitoring a newborn’s growth to administering medication with precision, electronic weighing scales are unsung heroes in the healthcare field. In this article, we’ll explore the vital importance of scales in healthcare and how they contribute to patient well-being.

Back in the day, we only had a couple of scale brands to choose from when it came to medical scales. That’s not the case these days, we have multiple brands of scales to choose from.  A few of the brands of scales that we recommend are Seca, Rice Lake Healthweigh, Befour, Health-O-Meter Professional, and Detecto among others.

person weighing scale

1. Precise Medication Dosage

Imagine a scenario where a patient’s life depends on the precise administration of medication. Now, picture a nurse or doctor relying on guesswork instead of a high quality precision calibrated scale. It’s a troubling thought. Scales in healthcare ensure that medications are administered accurately, down to the milligram. In some cases, this accuracy could be a matter of life or death, particularly when dealing with potent medications or vulnerable patients.

2. Monitoring Patient Health

In healthcare, monitoring changes in a patient’s weight can be a key indicator of their overall health. Rapid weight loss or gain can signal underlying issues, such as heart problems, kidney dysfunction, or malnutrition. Infant scales, handrail scales, and wheelchair scales are just a few examples of specialized equipment used to monitor patients’ weight accurately. By tracking these changes precisely, healthcare professionals can catch potential problems early and provide timely interventions.

3. Nutritional Assessments

Proper nutrition is fundamental to recovery and overall health. In hospitals and long-term care facilities, nutritional assessments are routine. These assessments, often conducted by dietitians or nutritionists, rely heavily on portion control scales to measure ingredients, portion sizes, and the nutritional content of food. Ensuring that patients receive the right nutrients in the right amounts is essential for their recovery and well-being.

4. Infection Control

Infection control is a top priority in healthcare settings. Scales can contribute significantly to this by reducing the need for direct contact with patients. Bed scales, for example, allow for the measurement of patients’ weight without physically moving them, minimizing the risk of cross-contamination. In an era where infection control is paramount, these accurate scales play a crucial role in maintaining a safe healthcare environment.

5. Accurate Diagnosis

Scales are indispensable tools for diagnosing various medical conditions. One prime example is the Body Mass Index (BMI), which is calculated using a person’s weight and height. A deviation from the healthy BMI range can be an early warning sign for conditions like obesity, malnutrition, or even eating disorders. With accurate measurements, healthcare providers can make informed decisions about patient care and treatment plans.

6. Maternal and Child Health

In the realm of maternal and child health, person weight scales are indispensable. For instance, pediatricians closely monitor a child’s growth to ensure they are hitting developmental milestones. Accurate measurements of an infant’s weight, length, and head circumference are vital in assessing their overall health and development. Similarly, during pregnancy, monitoring maternal weight gain is essential for both the mother’s and the baby’s well-being.

7. Precision in Surgical Procedures

Surgery is a highly precise field in healthcare, and medical scales are essential here as well. Whether it’s weighing organs for transplantation or ensuring that surgical instruments are correctly calibrated, digital scales are integral to surgical procedures. Any deviation from accuracy could have dire consequences for patients undergoing surgery.

8. Managing Chronic Conditions

Patients with chronic conditions like diabetes often need to monitor their weight closely. Scales that sync with electronic health records or mobile apps can help patients and their healthcare providers track changes in weight over time, allowing for more effective disease management. This data can be critical in adjusting treatment plans and preventing complications.

9. Pharmacy Compounding

Pharmacists play a critical role in healthcare by compounding medications to meet specific patient needs. Precision is non-negotiable in this field, as even a slight error in medication dosage can have severe consequences. Pharmaceutical weighing equipment ensure that each compound is prepared accurately, guaranteeing patient safety and treatment effectiveness.

10. Research and Clinical Trials

In the pursuit of new medical treatments and therapies, research and clinical trials are essential. Weighing scales are instrumental in these endeavors, helping researchers measure the precise dosage of investigational drugs and assess the impact of treatments. The accuracy of scales can make or break the success of a clinical trial, potentially affecting millions of lives.

detecto healthysoles scale

Medical grade scales might not always take the spotlight in the healthcare field, but their importance cannot be overstated. From ensuring the correct dosage of life-saving medications to monitoring patient health, electronic scales play a vital role in the precision and accuracy of healthcare practices. The digital scales are the unsung, behind the scenes, items safeguarding patient well-being and contributing to the overall effectiveness of healthcare delivery. If you are interested in any of our various types of medical scales that we offer, be sure to contact our sales department (919) 776-7737 to discuss scale options and brands that we recommend. 

 

What Makes a Weighing Scale Better Quality than Another?

We get this question all the time and it’s a fair question. What makes one weighing scale better quality than another? Sure, it can be worded a little differently like why is one scale priced so much higher than the other, even though they look identical?  The answers can vary from scale type to scale type.

Why Does One Scale Cost So Much More Than Another?  

So why does one scale cost so much more than another?  Here are a few reasons.

  • The country the scale was manufactured in
  • The quality of the components inside the scale
  • The construction of the scale itself
  • A lithium ion battery vs. a lead acid battery
  • IP68 enclosure vs. IP65 enclosure
  • Stainless Steel enclosure vs. painted steel or plastic enclosure
  • The warranty of the item
  • The reputation of the scale manufacturer 

Probably no better example exists on this subject than floor scales. We have floor scales that we offer that basically look very similar to one another that are essentially $2000 different on price. How do you explain that difference?  Well, let’s try to do just that below.

industrial floor scaleOur industrial floor scale is a 4×4 with 5000 LB capacity. NTEP approved. Stainless Weight Indicator with battery.  It weighs approximately 300 pounds.

light industrial floor scale

Our light industrial floor scale is a 4×4 with 5000 LB capacity. NTEP approved. Stainless Weight Indicator with battery.  It weighs approximately 220 pounds.  

Essentially, that eighty pound difference in the physical weight of the scale platform is one big reason there’s approximately $2000 difference in price.

So, is the more expensive scale worth it?  The answer is…. it depends on your weighing application.

If you are a metal recycler for example, then you likely want good quality scales that are built tough and can handle the daily abuse that weighing equipment is going to take in that environment. The last thing you want in that environment is a scale platform that can’t handle the thousands of pounds of weight. So in this example, yes the additional cost is likely worth it when you average out the years of service the scale will provide.

However, if you’re a shipping warehouse that weighs a few 800 pound pallets everyday, then you probably don’t need the more expensive scale. 

Ultimately, this is where discussing your particular weighing needs with your scale sales person is a smart thing. Give us a call or fill out the RFQ form on our website.  

Better Quality Weighing Equipment or Low Priced Scales? 

Really, there are numerous factors that can determine the overall quality of a weighing scale. Some of the most important factors include:

  1. Accuracy: A high-quality weighing scale should be able to accurately measure the weight of an object. This is often determined by the scale’s sensitivity and resolution. We recommend choosing NTEP approved weighing equipment for reputable scale manufacturers for the best results.

  2. Repeatability: A good weighing scale should be able to consistently produce the same weight reading for the same object. Often with lower quality items, this can become a problem.

  3. Construction: A good scale is designed to last for years of service. This is where you need to discuss your weighing needs with your sales person and determine if industrial or light industrial weighing equipment makes sense for you. 

  4. Resolution: The resolution of a scale refers to the smallest weight that the scale can measure. A scale with high resolution will be able to measure small weights more accurately than a scale with low resolution. This often comes into play with counting scales and lab balances.

  5. Stability: A high-quality scale should be stable and not drift or fluctuate over time. Once again better quality items tend to be more stable and consistent.

  6. Durability: A scale that is built to last will be of higher quality than one that is prone to breaking or malfunctioning. We recommend choosing reputable scale brands with a good reputation in the scale industry vs. cheap imported scales.

  7. Ease of use: A scale that is easy to use, with clear instructions and a user-friendly interface, will be better than one that is difficult to operate. Scales that are easy to use is a good thing. Don’t just think about you or the one employee who is using the scale. Also think about the person who has to fill in and learn how to use the scale.

  8. Customer support: A scale manufacturer that provides good customer support and stands behind their product is likely to offer higher quality products. We have several reputable scale manufacturers who offer quality weighing equipment that we’ve sold and serviced for many years.

Ultimately what it really comes down to in our opinion is communication between the buyer or procurement manager and the scale salesperson. That seems simple. But in today’s point and click and add to shopping cart world that we live in, it’s really important to be on the same page. When you ask the question what makes one weighing scale better quality than another, you need to discuss this subject with your scale sales person, who can assist you with appropriate product choices that will best fit what you’re trying to do.  

What Does 5000 x 1 Mean? Scale Capacity x Readability

We’re going to discuss something that many folks wonder about the first couple of times they are tasked with buying scales.

What Does it Mean when you see 5000 x 1 on a Scale?

If you’ve done any research at all online for scales, you’ve probably seen something written like 5000 x 1, or perhaps you’ve requested a quote and seen that number written. Either way, you may be wondering what these mean. 5000 x 1 lb, or it could be 60 x 0.02lb or it may have been 3000 g by 0.01g. 120,000 x 20 lb, 500 x 0.1 lb etc….

600 x 0.1 LB

 

 

But what exactly does that mean? It’s actually pretty simple.

In the case of 5000 x 1 lb, this means that the total weighing capacity of the scale is 5000 pounds and the scale increases or decreases in weight by 1 lb increments from zero all the way to 5000 lb.

Some people refer to the 1 lb in this example as the readability or the graduation size. In the 60 x 0.02 lb example, it would be as follows, 60 lb is the capacity and 0.02 lb is the graduation size that the scale increases or decreases by from zero all the way to 60 lb. Continue reading

What do you think? Airlines Might Weigh Passengers…

Subject: Aircraft Weight and Balance Control

Airlines could soon require some passengers to step on the digital weigh scale or provide their weight before boarding the airplane.

The initiative, which was described in a recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) advisory, attempts to provide new data on average passenger weights as the current numbers allegedly don’t reflect today’s higher obesity rates in the US. By adding this requirement, this would help aircrafts not exceed their allowable weight limit. Essentially, the FAA wants to determine how much heavier Americans have gotten over the past decade. 

If this becomes the new standard, the new mandates would require airlines to take surveys to establish average passenger weights for crew members, airline baggage and passengers.

Once they’ve chosen a traveler, an operator may determine the actual weight of passengers by having them step on a scale before boarding the aircraft. However, if that’s not an option, they’re urged to ask each passenger their weight, while making sure to add 10 pounds to account for clothing.

Of course when it comes weighing people in a public setting… privacy needs to be considered, which is why the FAA also provided guidelines on conducting the procedure in a way that protects passenger privacy.

They stipulate that the scale readout should remain hidden from public view while an operator should ensure that any passenger weight data collected remains confidential. Travelers have the option of declining to participate in any passenger or bag weight survey, per the guidelines.  You can read much more on this subject by viewing the original article

What do you think about this subject?  I guess it makes sense as long as the airlines do a good job with privacy and being discreet.  However, what happens if you total up all the passenger and baggage weight and it’s too much?  Are certain people asked to leave?  Well, whatever you need regarding this subject, we can provide you.  Bench Scales to weigh airplane passengers, Airplane Baggage Scales and more…   

 

Detecto HealthySole® Clinically Proven UVC Product to Kill up to 99.99% of Exposed Microorganisms FAQ

DETECTO’s USA-made HealthySole® is the first clinically-proven UVC product to kill up to 99.99% of exposed microorganisms, such as bacterial and viral pathogens, on the soles of shoes in 8 seconds. HealthySole® is also effective against fungi and bacterial spores that travel on shoe soles leading to the spread of infection via inhalation or horizontal translation from surface and air contamination. By adding HealthySole® to an existing infection control program, the facility will decrease the overall microbial load starting with shoe and floor contamination.

HealthySole® HSPlus UVC Disinfection System significantly decreases the aerosolizing, migration, or transfer of deadly pathogens that lead to higher healthcare-associated infections (HAI) rates. HealthySole® is green technology that disinfects without using harmful chemicals. ETL/CETL and CE listed.

Below is a list of frequently asked questions that customers are curious about before making a purchase.

detecto healthysoles scale

Q. So how does your product work?

A. Upon entering the O.R. corridor either through the front entrance or through locker rooms, each clinician would step onto the Healthysole® Plus device. The HealthySole® Plus informs the clinician that their shoes are properly aligned and starts an 8-second count down opening up the shutters and exposing the soles or booties to the germ killing ultraviolet light. At the end of eight seconds a green check mark appears letting you know the process has been completed.

Q. Are there any studies that show the quantitative reduction of HAIs in a certain hospital once HealthySole® Plus was introduced?

A. In today’s battle of fighting HAIs, hospitals are using an arsenal of UVC products and equipment such as robots or air and water treatment systems to kill pathogens from those reservoirs. This lack of options is leaving the shoe soles untouched. To answer your question, three independent third-party laboratories including the Cleveland VA, Texas Medical Center Houston and Microchem Labs have tested and proven an over 99% kill rate for MRSA, VRE, CRE, Streptococcus and Pseudomonas.

Q. What will HealthySole® Plus do differently compared to other disinfectants or types of new technology such as whole room plasma machines, UVC robots or chemical environmental decontamination?

A. HealthySole® Plus is an active 24/7 chemical free, UV disinfection technology that when stood on will consistently lower the over microbial load throughout a healthcare environment and even more specifically in the targeted environment. The best
practice for infection control programs is to bundle all the necessary effective technologies to address every potential vector for the spread of infectious pathogens. There is no silver bullet; however, when technologies and chemicals are bundled properly the highest potential for environmental de-contamination is achieved.

Although technology such as ion disinfection systems are an attempt at 24/7 disinfection technology, they only theoretically lower the load in the particular room they are used in and don’t treat the shoe soles nor stop the spread of organisms from entering or exiting an environment. There are areas within healthcare that cannot use this type of ionization or other aerosol or mist technologies. HealthySole® Plus can be used in any environment in healthcare even in conjunction with technology such as these.

UVC robots are a good use of UVC technology to reduce microbial load on visible surfaces. Any shadowed or obscured area is not treated. As well, they do not address the spread of organisms entering and exiting environments via shoe soles. The first person to walk into a robot-decontaminated room will re-introduce all the infectious organisms via shoe soles to that room. Also, UVC robots treat rooms on a case-by-case basis, which requires added healthcare personnel to manage the unit each time it is placed in a room. People cannot be present while this technology is in use, which is contrary to the use of
the HealthySole® Plus. HealthySole® Plus can be placed at any room or hallway where people are present 24/7 and work in tandem in rooms where robots are deployed.

Chemicals are also good for environmental cleaning purposes; however, they are not used all day long, nor can they keep the floors clean when shoes step on a previously de-contaminated floor. Although chemicals are very necessary, they are a quick fix of a contaminated or soiled location, which will be rapidly re-contaminated. Chemicals often cannot be deployed often enough, fast enough, or in certain environments. Because HealthySole® Plus is a non-chemical use of disinfection technology, it can be used constantly by staff and placed anywhere in a healthcare environment and again work side-by-side existing chemical protocols.

Q. Do we already have established protocols for Hospital Departments?

A. Protocols for HealthySole® Plus in different departments will vary depending on each hospital. The layout, size and traffic flow of the particular department or room will vary from hospital to hospital. For example, if implementing HealthySole® Plus into an ICU, HealthySole® Plus should be placed at each entry/exit point within each separate room. For the highest effectiveness in reducing the overall microbial burden and to reduce the spread of pathogens into and out of the ICU, it should be protocol for all staff and visitors entering and exiting the ICU to stand on HealthySole® Plus (assuming there is not an emergency where a staff member needs to relocate immediately).

If traffic flow is high or if the ICU is divided into separate rooms, HealthySole® Plus units should be added to fulfill the need of separate locations or high traffic volume. This same protocol should be followed in other departments, units or wards such as Dialysis, Wound Care, Cancer Treatment, Burn Treatment, etc.

Operating Rooms and OR corridors also need to have HealthySole® Plus units at each entrance/exit of the critical areas beyond the barrier or “red line.” Hospitals that desire to be most effective in lowering the overall microbial burden inside of each OR, can place a HealthySole® Plus unit outside of each room, designated for the entry and exit of each person to that specific room.

Q. We already have a procedure in place that addresses shoe soles. It is mandatory that all of our OR staff replace booty covers when re-entering the OR area, so why would we need HealthySole® Plus?

A. Studies regarding shoe covers and dedicated theatre booties are both supportive and un-supportive of the practice. If over shoes do decrease the amount of pathogens brought into your OR compared to street shoes, that is good; however, there will still be pathogens present on those booties upon entry. If HealthySole® Plus is used immediately before entering the barrier to the corridor or active OR, the bacterial count will be significantly lower then if not used. By killing up to 99.9+% of the remaining pathogens on the booties or dedicated theatre shoes, you are lowering the pathogenic load in the OR and
decreasing the risk of infections.

Remember, 33-37% of HAIs are surgical site infections, many of which come from the OR. Lastly, booties don’t kill the organisms on the soles of the shoes when applied, they simply cover them up. HealthySole® Plus kills the organisms not allowing them to survive or replicate and lowers the OR environmental microbial burden. As well, the HealthySole® Plus can be used in conjunction with over shoe booties, continuing to further strengthen the hospitals fight against infectious pathogens.

Q. We have constant traffic with staff in and out of rooms; therefore, it’s not realistic to have them stand on the unit for 8 seconds each time.

A. Whether or not we like it, ICUs and PICUs suffer issues from dangerous pathogens and all possible Infectious Control hygiene measures must be used to address this. Shoe soles have been proven to be an unaddressed reservoir of infectious pathogens in a hospital environment and are the first step that leads to infection transmission if not addressed properly. It is recommended whenever possible* to use HealthySole® Plus by each person entering the ICU/PICU for an 8-second kill cycle, in order to reduce millions of organisms from entering that critical environment. *As long as that person is not time restricted due to emergency.

Strict hand hygiene guidelines can be somewhat time consuming however critically necessary. Hand hygiene protocols include the use of gloves, minimal numbers of cleaning locations and dispensers and often suggest washing procedures that can
take up to 2 minutes to be effective. These protocols are required prior to treating a patient; furthermore, they are used between separate tasks on one patient and always between tasks on other patients.

The HealthySole® Plus and its ability to reduce germs within a space means it should be handled like hand hygiene as a major barrier to stop the spread of infectious pathogens in an ICU/PICU as well as other acute areas. This consistent use of the HealthySole® Plus will ultimately keep patients and staff safe and healthy as well as reduce widespread infection within a facility.

Contact our sales team (919) 776-7737 or visit our website to get a quote.

Detecto Solo Medical Scale Now Available

DETECTO’s brand-new solo® eye-level clinical scale is the most economical, high-quality digital physician scale with height rod available. The solo® doctor scale is in stock and available now for orders. The Detecto solo® indicator features 8 simple buttons that are easily identifiable in any language.

The scale’s RS-232 serial port allows you to output measurement data to EMR/EHR software. Simply step on the scale to weigh and the scroll arrows let you rapidly enter your height to factor BMI. Call us at (919) 776-7737 to request a quote today.

• 550 lb x 0.2 lb / 250 kg x 0.1 kg capacity
• 14 in W x 15 in D x 2.4 in H low-profile platform
• Inline mechanical height rod
• Eye-level weight display and column
• One-inch-high LCD readouts
• Body Mass Index calculation
• Integral wheels for mobility
• RS232 serial port
• Convenient audible beep confirmation
• Powered by 6 AA batteries (included) or an optional AC adapter

The scale’s mechanical height rod is situated to the side of the LCD, so it never interferes with viewing measurements. The oversized 14 x 15 inch platform with rubber mat is only 2.4 inches high making it easy for patients to step on and off. The AC port is located in the base, so no pesky wires dangle from up on the indicator (AC Adapter optional: model PD-AC). Two integral wheels allow for ease of movement whenever you need to transport the solo®.

Detecto Scale, an ISO-9001 certified scale manufacturer, markets a complete line of quality weighing products for the healthcare, foodservice and shipping/logistics industries. Detecto’s headquarters and factory is in Webb City, Missouri, USA with warehouses in Canada and England and distributors in over 110 countries. Founded in 1900, Detecto Scale is the largest medical scale manufacturer in the United States.

The family-owned and privately-held company employs a staff of 350 associates trained in manufacturing high-quality weighing products. Detecto’s customer service, technical support, and aftermarket parts departments are all located at the factory headquarters in Webb City, MO. The company offers software, hardware, and connectivity support directly from the factory.

Seca Directprint – Wireless Weight Information for Patients at Doctors Office

Many times when a person goes to the Physicians Office, all the person does is step on the digital scale (or mechanical scale) and the nurse writes down the individuals body weight. Then not much at all is said about the patients weight. At this point, the nurse might check the person’s height but often times will just confirm what is in their medical record.Then once the patient sees the doctor, they may or may not mention the weight, usually it depends on time restraints or what the appointment is actually related to. Wouldn’t it be nice for the patient to automatically get a targeted print-out sheet of their weight along with Body Mass Index information and recommendations to improve their BMI?

seca directprint medical scales

The seca directprint is the ideal tool for raising awareness about maintaining a healthy weight. Not only does it tell your patients their height, weight and BMI, but it compiles their measurements into an easy-to-read one page printout which includes sound information and tips on weight management. In seconds, it provides the ideal ice-breaker for your overweight patients by drawing attention to the subject of overweight and obesity without making them feel uncomfortable.

This removes inhibitions, makes people more willing to talk, and motivates your patients in the long term to tackle the subject more rigorously and do something about it. This in turn can generate economic benefits for your practice, since you can now offer additional services.

Weight Check in Emergency Medical Situations

In emergency situations, often the response time is crucial. Many medical clinics are open almost always and they need scales that are designed to operate accurately and reliably. That’s why many hospitals and doctors offices choose Rice Lake Weighing Systems products. The Rice Lake brand of scales are designed to be reliable and dependable for years of service.

medical scale in-floor

Many of these clinics install in-floor Rice Lake medical floor scales to weigh inbound patients on an ambulance stretcher or wheelchair. Weighing patients upon arrival at an exceptional speed, the in-floor scale provides crucial patient weight information. The clinic can then treat emergency patients knowing exactly how much the patient weighs. The medical scale delivers reliable performance with a heavy-duty industrial design and a rigid, steel-channel frame, providing the durability and accuracy the department needs. Article (pdf file)

Lakeview Medical Center has been a staple in the Rice Lake, Wis. community since its inception in 1919. The hospital prides itself with modern facilities, innovative state-of-the art technology and a caring staff. All of these qualities come together at Lakeview Medical Center for the same common purpose: providing excellent patient care for the growing region. Lakeview Medical Center is truly a patient-centric facility, and when it comes to providing care, the staff does everything possible to make sure patients receive superior and compassionate treatment. To provide unmatched patient care, modernization at Lakeview Medical Center has been embraced. From keycard badges that open corridors, ensuring patient and visitor privacy and safety, to state-of-the-art technology and in-floor patient weighing platforms, Lakeview Medical Center exemplifies next-level healthcare.

Installed flush with the hospital floor, the Rice Lake medical floor scale allows ambulance stretchers to transition from floor to scale with smooth and natural movements, permitting paramedics to easily roll the stretchers on and off in swift motions. With a Rice Lake digital weight indicator wall-mounted near the scale, the patient and stretcher gross weight is easily read and charted by the paramedic.

“It’s very convenient. It is right by the doors as you walk in. We have a digital display board that tells us which room the patient should be brought to,” explains Lakeview Medical Center Emergency Services Supervisor, Matthew Ryba. After transferring the patient to their room, paramedics bring the stretcher back to the floor scale to calculate the patient’s net weight by subtracting the weight of the stretcher and any equipment on or attached to the stretcher upon arrival. Without wasting any movements or removing the patient from the stretcher, Emergency Department staff can record and use an accurate patient weight, delivering better care at a quicker pace—a valuable quality in the department. Life-saving drugs administered in emergency situations may need to be accurately dosed by the patient’s weight; making reliable weight a necessity.

The medical floor scale wasn’t always a Lakeview Medical Center staple. When the hospital was built in its new location in February 2011, the floor scale was added to the department. Its benefits—from streamlining paramedic movement to accessing patient information faster—are definitely noticed. “It’s quick; I wheel the patient on, get my weight, wheel them off and I don’t have to worry about it; they can keep moving,” Ryba explains, “it doesn’t delay patient care; and that’s an important thing—not having to wait. You roll it on, roll it off and come back. It’s right by the doors as you walk in to go to the patient’s room.”

Knowing that standing is difficult for some patients, staff at Lakeview Medical Center take advantage of the floor scale by weighing patients in their wheelchairs. “We can wheel them right onto the scale and take the gross weight, bring the patient to their bed and go back and weigh the wheelchair to determine the patient’s weight,” explains Ryba. Taking the extra step to improve patient comfort is not uncommon at Lakeview Medical Center. Patients in the Emergency Department can even be weighed without leaving their bed. “All of the beds in the Emergency Department are weighed with a full set of linen, and the weight is written on the bed. All you have to do is wheel the bed with the patient to the scale, subtract the bed weight and you have the patient’s net weight,” Ryba notes.

In addition to weighing patients in wheelchairs and pre-weighed beds, patients also receive the highest standard of comfort with private rooms within a facility designed with a healing and soothing environment. Providing the best possible care with a personal and compassionate experience is a goal Lakeview Medical Center takes to heart.

When not in use by patients, the Rice Lake medical floor scale has other duties. Emergency Services often use it to weigh their ambulance and emergency response equipment while loading the ambulance. “It’s very versatile to have a scale like this,” says Ryba. “For me to stand on the scale with my vehicle equipment, we can take the weights of our equipment to determine the gross vehicle weight of the ambulance [as we load it].” Some ambulance equipment weighs over 20 pounds, and the vehicle weight can add up quickly with Emergency Services personnel and in-transit patients. Weighing the equipment adds an extra level of safety when loading the ambulance.

The Emergency Department’s medical floor scale is not the only Rice Lake scale on site. Lakeview Medical Center also uses a scale in their Kidney Dialysis Unit. With 16 dialysis stations in the unit, each patient receives the best possible care with individualized comforts. To help determine the optimal course of treatment and follow-up care, patients are weighed on the medical scale before and after dialysis. Because patients on dialysis often gain excess fluid and weight between treatments, keeping accurate weight records is essential for proper care, making the Rice Lake scale an invaluable asset to the unit. With a pit-style installation similar to the Emergency Department floor scale, the Kidney Dialysis Unit medical scale is ideal for patients being transferred in wheelchairs.

If you’re looking for a medical scale that you can rely on, be sure to take a look at the Rice Lake lineup of medical scales. You can contact the sales team at Central Carolina Scale for product information and price quotes. To reach the sales department you can call (919) 776-7737 or complete the request for quote form on the website.

Body fat analysis scales provide many vital features to proper weight management and healthier body

Healthcare professionals across the world use Detecto’s body fat analysis scales to measure their patients’ nutritional health. These reliable, digital doctor scales measure body fat, bone mass, muscle mass, and and body water percentages. They also calculate a Body Mass Index (BMI) measurement. Choose “Normal” mode or “Athlete” mode to ensure reliable weighing and analysis for all patients. Select body fat scale models also include a digital or mechanical height rod. Optional stainless steel wall-mount grab bars are available for patients who need additional support.

DETECTO’s ProDoc PD350 series body fat analysis scales host many powerful features that are vital to proper weight management and crafting a healthier body.

DETECTO’s PD350 series offers medical-grade accuracy and durability built for long life spans in high-traffic fitness centers, corporate or hotel gyms, nutritionist’s offices, and clinical facilities. The PD350 series is available with digital or mechanical height rods and an optional P50 thermal tape printer.

Continue reading

Wrestling Scale Certification

Each year customers at middle school, high schools, and colleges contact our scale company looking to purchase certified digital scales to use for their wrestling team or sometimes they just simply want to get their old scale checked and certified. Most of the time the process is pretty simple. However, occasionally the customer is not certain about what rules or regulations they need to follow to weigh a wrestler. So, before you purchase a scale or have one certified, it might be a good idea to check with your athletic conference or sanctioning body or perhaps you have some type of “rule book” to make certain what rules you need to follow. For example, one rule that we have been told is that some states require schools to use a NTEP legal for trade scale (with CoC#) for weighing wrestlers.

certified wrestling scaleWhen it comes to actually certifying the scales, it is usually a good idea to get your wrestling scale certified annually. Generally, when we calibrate and certify the scale we normally look over the scale and make sure it appears to be functioning correctly. If something appears broken or missing such as a leveling foot, we might mention that on the paperwork or even recommend you purchase a replacement. We make sure the display is working correctly and showing all the digits and decimal point correctly. We also like to make sure the platform is solid. Also, if your scale has a rechargeable battery inside you might want to try charging it up and using it a few days before your scale check up to make sure it’s Continue reading