Action Products, Inc.

National Nurses Week is celebrated annually from May 6, also known as National Nurses Day, through May 12, which is the birthday of Florence Nightingale.  Registered Nurses serve as advocates for their patients.  Everyone at Action Products, Inc. would like to thank the 2.9 million registered nurses in America for their dedication to safety and for their never ending hard work.

Our Nurse Consultant, Rochelle Froloff, R.N., has been with Action Products, Inc. for over 20 years and we appreciate and celebrate her contributions.  "Shelly" has supported the hospitals we serve with education regarding decubitus uncer prevention, safe surgery patient positioning, wound prevention,and pressure ulcer management.   Shelly is always willing to in-service fellow RNs on the proper care and use of our polymer gel pads and positioners.  Do not hesitate to contact her as she is always available to share your experiences and work closely with you to prevent hospital acquired pressure ulcers.

 We would love to hear from you to learn how you celebrated National Nurses Week at your facility.

Check out this video of some Stanford Nurse Angels.... This week we need to remember how wonderful nurses are and remember to thank them!!!!

HAPPY NURSES WEEK!!!!!

This week, we celebrate nurses everywhere! Nurses are an intregal part of the healthcare industry, patient care and the economy at large. Nurses have assisted Action Products with many current products and continue to drive our innovation.We thank them for their dedication and contributions to our company, patients and the world over.

Remember to thank a nurse today!!!!

Pressure sores on orthopedic patients are often caused by having the patient stay in one position for a long time. With uneven pressure on the skin, a sore can easily develop. To prevent pressure sores from developing during an operation, maintaining the patient's skin integrity is essential. 

Pressure sore prevention on a post-op patient includes changing the patient's position periodically so that no area of the skin receives prolonged pressure. During surgery, this is impossible to do. Depending on the difficulty of the operation, a patient may be in the operating room for a few hours. How can you prevent pressure sores in the operating room?

Pressure redistribution is the key to preventing ulcers from developing during surgery. Using materials that can evenly distribute pressure on the skin is one of the ways to lessen the risk of having this problem. For orthopedic procedures where a Wilson Frame is needed, you may want to use a Wilson Frame Pad Set. These pads are made of Akton® viscoelastic polymer gel. They give added protection for the patient during an operation. 

Action has one of the largest assortments of specialty frame padding in the industry. Visit Action Products Inc. online or via phone at 301-797-1414 and 1-800-228-7763 for information about our replacement table pads, mattress overlays and other products.

Just read a great article from Outpatient Surgery called, Give Your Facility a Lean Makeover: Follow these 6 Manufacturing Principles to Boost Your Productivity, by David Belson, PhD.

This article was written in April 2011, but has relevance today. Busy operating rooms rarely take the time to see where they can make cuts and still keep patient safety in mind. Changing all the foam positioners to Akton(R) polymer gel pads and positioners will cut down on excess spending and space, while helping to standardize care and prevent hospital acquired pressure ulcers. When you are reading the article, keep this one change in mind. It will go a long way.

Enjoy the read, and remember we have a nurse advice line available for your convenience- 1.800.290.0657. Action is committed to assisting with you with your zero tolerance goals for pressure ulcer management. 

Infection to a surgical site of a patient can prolong their hospital stay. It can also increase his risk of developing other complications and double or triple his healthcare expenses. To avoid all these, measures must be taken to decrease the risk of infection in all stages of surgery.

The environmental condition of an operating room may affect the patient's chances of developing an infection. When a mattress overlay pad is not properly cleaned, bacteria can immediately infect the patient the first second that he is laid on the surgical table pad. Another factor that increases a patient's risk of infection is the length of time he spends in surgery. The longer a patient is in the surgical room, the higher his risk of developing complications. 

Reducing the risk of infection in the operating room is very important. According to the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN), environmental infection prevention is an important parameter to any infection prevention program. One of the things you can do to reduce the environmental risk of infection is to ensure that operating room pads and positioners are cleaned and maintained appropriately. Action Products' surgical table pads with upgraded silver fabric can effectively lessen odors in fabric and kill bacteria.  For more information on this upgrade and the entire line of pressure management products, visit our website or call us at 1-800-228-7763 and 301-797-1414.

Our Nurse Consultant, Rochelle Froloff, RN has advice for us all:

"Connecting the Dots" within a hospital is very important so that healthcare workers see the complete picture of healthcare spending. The operating room is one of the biggest fiscal drains on the hospital. Also, as we have stated in the past, it is one of the largest waste producer. This is why it is important to look for ways to save money and resources within the surgical suites.

Using foam positioners instead of the reusable polymer gel pads, which the AORN Guidelines deem clinically beneficial, contributes to the hospital having to pay for the patient's care at the facility. The answer many nurses give for using them include, "the foam is cheaper," or "it's easier to use," etc.

Is that really correct?

In fact, it costs more! Disposing of foam is expensive, to store it takes valuable space, and resulting decubitus ulcers are not cheap for the hospital. People undergoing surgeries today are more apt to be overweight and have residual problems form Diabetes and other diseases that compromise skin integrity. We are an older society, more obese and Diabetes is out of control. So therefore, we have to use products that contribute to pressure ulcer prevention and better clinical outcomes, and that are independently studied to show these outcomes. A hospital is a total entity and budgets are drawn from the revenue it takes it in. Hospitals are losing money by using clinically inferior products, red bag waste production and caring for patients that developed a pressure ulcers from inferior pressure redistribution products.

So, can you see how the dots are connected?

Increasing the safety of patients in the surgical suite is an ongoing concern among health care professionals working in the operating room. Pressure ulcers are one of the things a health care team must learn how to prevent so that the risk of  injuries and complications can be significantly decreased. 

For effective pressure sore prevention during a standard supine surgery, you can use a Supine Positioning Kit. This kit includes several positioners used to protect various body parts that may be prone to developing pressure ulcers. 

Gel positioners like the dome positioner, heel supports and ulnar nerve protector are used to ensure pressure is evenly distributed throughout the different areas of the body.  A donut head pad secures the head of the patient during surgery. This is especially important to keep the airway patent. Unlike other positioners available on the market, these positioners are made of Akton® viscoelastic polymer gel and are reusable in the O.R. 

Protect your patients during surgery by using pads and positioners from Action Products Inc. Get your Supine Positioning Kit today. You can learn more about our gel positioners and other products by calling us at 301.797.1414 or toll free at 1.800.228.7763. Should you need professional positioning advice, try our toll free Nurse Advice Line at 1.800.290.0657.

In our support of pressure ulcer management, we wanted to share an educational event with you.

RESNA will conduct its State of the Science Conference (SOSC) in conjunction with the 2012 RESNA Annual Conference (http://web.resna.org/conference/index.dot). The SOSC will bring together experts in the fields of research, rehabilitation engineering, service delivery and policy to explore important topics related to the mRERC theme: Mobility in Everyday Life.

As part of the event, the mRERC is sponsoring the Sunday morning RESNA plenary session titled: How science influences public policy in seating and mobility. The plenary will consist of a presentation and discussion on how science influences public policy in seating and mobility and will address barriers that need to be overcome to allow policy makers to access and utilize research results.

This year’s Plenary Session: How science influences public policy in seating and mobility.

In addition to the plenary session, these sessions will take place Sunday, July 1st and Monday, July 2nd.

1. Delivering wheeled mobility and seating services
Laura Cohen, PhD, Rehabilitation Technology Consultants
Nancy Greer, PhD, Minneapolis VA Health Care System

2. Individualizing pressure ulcer risk and prevention strategies
David Brienza, PhD, University of Pittsburgh
Sharon Sonenblum, PhD, Georgia Tech

3. Mobility trajectories and transitions: from walking to wheeling and vice versa.
Louise Demers, PhD, OT(C), Université de Montréal
Fran Harris, PhD, Georgia Tech
Helen Hoenig, MD, MPH, Duke VAMC
Lisa Iezzoni, MD, Harvard Medical School
Jim Lenker, PhD, University at Buffalo

For more information on this event click here.  If you are able to attend, let us know about your experience.

Action Products has a full range of DME products to assist in pressure ulcer prevention. Clinically proven designs can be found on www.actionproduts.com.

Infection is one of the major concerns in all stages of surgery. In order to decrease the risk of infection in the operating room, equipment must be sterilized and other items thoroughly cleaned prior to the arrival of the next patient. One of the most important items to clean is the operating table pad. The team must make sure there is no blood or other bodily fluids left on the pad before letting another patient use it. When not cleaned properly, the pads may harbor bacteria which can ultimately cause infection from one patient to another. These pads need to be cleaned with a disinfectant, wiped off and rinsed with water. It is amazing to hear that nurses did not rinse the pads with water. The harsh chemicals can burn the next patient! Always remember to rinse pads with water for optimum patient safety!

Sometimes fluids will go into the pad, by way of stitched seams. To avoid the possibility of such a situation, having welded operating table pads from Action Products Inc. will reduce that risk quite considerably. The fulids wil break down the pad and cause them to need replacing fairly quicly. Action® pads have fully welded midline seams to avoid this patient safety and budgetary challenge. In addition to the infection control features, two styles of our pads have exposed Akton® polymer, a material that provides the best shear protection in the industry. They are also waterproof so you can be sure that no fluid will seep through the pads. One of the best features of these pads is their effective pressure redistribution. Such pressure redistribution significantly lowers the risk of developing pressure sores during surgical procedures.

To ensure patient safety in the operating room, make sure you are using equipment that meets the clinical guidelines set by the Association of PeriOperative Registered Nurses (AORN). Action Product Inc., offers operating table pads that exceed these guidelines. For more information on our products, call us at 1-800-228-7763 and 301-797-1414.

The use of proper positioning for patients undergoing surgical procedures in a prone position is one of the most challenging.  This position is utilized in various surgical procedures such as spinal surgery and other related procedures of the back, Pilonidal Sinus Surgery and Achilles Tendon repair. Patients who are obese need specific products for positioning to avoid respiratory problems and will improve arterial oxygen tension and functional residual capacity.

When using this position for your patient, make sure you have the necessary materials to protect your client from injuries like pressure sores.  Direct and indirect pressure injuries are common in this position.  Pressure necrosis is an anesthesia-related injury.  To avoid this, make sure to give special attention to dependent areas of the body, most specifically the face, breast area, ears and genitalia.

The Prone Headrest polymer gel positioner can effectively help in securing the patients head and the administration of anesthesia by properly securing access of the endotracheal tube either on the left side or the right side.   Other positioners that are effective in preventing pressure injuries are Dome Shaped Positioners and Chest Rolls, of particular note is the contoured chest rolls for obese patients.  Additionally, proper positioning of the arms can be accomplished by proper armboard pads.   You can have all of these pads when you purchase the Prone Positioning Kit.  Positioners from Action Products Inc. are made of Akton® viscoelastic polymer.  Call Action Products Inc. at 301.797.1414 or 1.800.228.7763 for more information on pressure sore prevention products.

In a blog post by T. Kate Huncke, MD and Susan M. Ryan, MD, PhD , called Greening the Operating Room, I was intrigued by the fact the the O.R. uses 20-30% of the energy of the entire hospital. They stated that, "Hospitals have the greatest negative impact on the environment, emitting 39% of health care's total green house gas emissions."

That is astounding! The article was written from the point of view of anesthesiologists, but the take away is the same. Let's be green where we can! This would include reusable O.R. positioners for all of your surgical patient positioning needs. Action has the largest selection of reusable polymer gel pads and positioners made of Akton(R) viscoelastic polymer. Not only is it reusable, it is clinically effective to assist in the prevention on hospital acquired pressure ulcers (HAPUs).

Come on team--- let's do our part to preserve our planet! Be conscious when you are throwing away reusable items, or be cognizant of how many disposable products are going into our country's landfills.

Do you have questions about your positioning products? There are so many ways for us to help you. 

• Our website is full of resources and links to assist in your positioning decisions
• An online positioning CE
• Our Customer Service department is available Monday-Friday from 8:30-5:50 (1.800.228.7763)
• Try our live chat or click to call features on our website
• Call our toll-free nurse advice line (1.800.290.0657)
• Call your internal or independent sales representative
• Write on our blog
• Friend us on Facebook
• Follow us on Twitter
• View care and handling videos on our website and on YouTube

However you feel the most comfortable, we are there to help you reach your zero tolerance goals for pressure ulcer prevention. We look forward to speaking to you soon.

Action was busy at the 59^th AORN Congress in New Orleans.  Amongst the heavy traffic to the booth, the visitors viewed new disposable chest roll covers and an extended pediatric positioning line. Nurses were excited to see the chest roll covers. Made of the same soft film featured on the Action® reusable positioners, they can speed room turnover time and lengthen the life of the product.

 With approximately 80% of the top pediatric hospitals using Action® brand positioners, Action decided to expand the line with two more head pads and three positioners to protect the smallest of patients. Perioperative nurses in the pediatric specialties were thrilled to see development of positioners like these, as even incrementally different sized products are meaningful to improving the quality of care for this patient population.

 A revamped Original Table Pad and new Original FT pads were also shown for the first time. “We are proud to support the perioperative community with the largest selection of reusable positioners in the industry,” explains Janet Kaplan, Marketing Director of Action Products, Inc., Medical Products Group.

Action Products, Inc. has been supporting AORN for over 40 years and is the leader in pressure ulcer prevention.  Visit Booth, 4349, at the 59th AORN Congress to learn how Action is set apart by its independently proven clinical effectiveness as well as its education of the medical community on decubiti prevention.  Our products are sold in over 58 countries worldwide and are proudly 100% made in the USA.

As pioneers in the reusable OR viscoelastic gel positioners and support surface market, Action is set apart by its independently proven clinical effectiveness.  During Congress, we would like to listen to you and learn how your surgical team has promoted "surgical patient safety".  Please visit us and share any new ideas you may like to contribute in our mutual effort to ensure pressure sore prevention.  Join in the pressure ulcer prevention discussion.

Action Product is a strong supporter of AORN and the leader in pressure ulcer prevention for over 40 years.  As pioneers in the reusable OR viscoelastic polymer gel positioners and support surface market, Action is set apart by its independently proven clinical effectiveness, as well as its education of the medical community on decubiti prevention.  Our products are sold in over 58 countries worldwide and are proudly 100% made in the USA.

We look forward to seeing you at the 59th AORN Congress.  Please visit Booth 4349, and share your innovative ideas and solutions which promote "surgical patient safety" in your OR.  We would like to partner with you to encourage pressure ulcer management.  If you are not attending Congress, please join in our pressure ulcer prevention discussion on our blog.

One of the first articles written on the topic of "Safe Positioning in the Operating Room" appeared in the June, 1996, edition of the AORN Journal.  The article was written by Donna McEwen and emphasized the important of safe interaoperative positioning.  Donna effectively illustrated how careful surgery patient postioning along with selecting proper pads and positioners could support decubitus ulcer prevention.  The article went on the demonstrate the significant role of the perioperative nurse during all the phases of the patient's perioperative experience.

It has been 16 years since I first read that article and the topic is still center stage.  I will be attending the 2012 AORN Congress in New Orleans in a few weeks.  It was interesting to me to learn the theme for this year's Congress was a call to all perioperative nurses to "Influence SAFE Perioperative Pratice".  Wound prevention, pressure ulcer management and pressure redistribution will certainly be discussed.

It is my feeling that the perioperative nurse is our one true advocate in the surgical setting.  How important do you feel the role of the perioperative nurse is in protecting against hospital acquired pressure ulcers?

Did you vote yet for what the AORN president should wear to the Denim and Diamonds Party in New Orleans? Watch the video and take a vote. Denim or Diamonds?

I will be wearing both. How about you? We look forward to meeting you at this fabulous event!

Action is excited to join the perioperative community at the 59^th AORN Congress, in New Orleans, March 24-29. The theme of the show is We Care: Influence Safe Perioperative Practice. Action Products Booth #4349 will be a buzz with pressure management solutions for your facility’s needs. As the trusted pressure management company, Action will have an array of support surfaces for your O.R. tables and the largest selection of reusable pads and positioners made of Akton^® polymer. At the Action booth, discover exclusive new ways to speed up room turnover time, along with other nurse-inspired pressure management solutions. Explore new pediatric positioning products and build your own support surface for your O.R. Whatever your needs, Action can help you reach your zero tolerance goals for pressure ulcers.

See you in New Orleans!!!!

There are different types of childbirth positions a mother can assume during a natural spontaneous vaginal delivery. Lithotomy is one of the most common positions for childbirth. This allows the health care professional optimum access to the perineum and to assist the mother in labor.

Depending on the progress of the mother, the second stage of labor may only take a few minutes or several hours. The delivery of the baby may take longer for first-time mothers and those who have elected to use an epidural. As a health care provider, one of your duties is to ensure the safety of the mother and baby during delivery.

You may coach the mother to perform different breathing methods that will aid in the safe delivery of the baby. Another thing you can do is to decrease the risk of injuries during labor. Bearing down during this stage of labor puts the mother at risk of developing pressure sores and shear forces. Common areas where sores may appear are on the buttocks, lower legs and heels.

To maintain skin integrity, it is best to use Akton(R) polymer gel pads on the stirrups. With stirrup pads in place, the heels and lower legs will be safe from injuries when the mother tries to bear down and push the baby during delivery.

Action Products Inc. provides effective pressure sore prevention products such as polymer gel pads, positioners, covers and overlays. Contact us at 301-797-1414 and 1-800-228-7763 for more information on our products.