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June 15, 2020
Medshop Editor
Why Nurses Tell Time Upside Down – History of The Nurses Fob Watch
Everything about being a nurse centres on organisation. Quality patient care revolves around a carefully planned and executed schedule, thus keeping track of the time is the pulse of the nursing profession. It’s not only a matter of knowing the hour, but nurses also need to time certain and ensure that In modern times, smart devices, have in some ways eliminated the need for the traditional timepieces, however, the history of the nurses fob watch means that there's always a place for one as part of any nurses uniform. But where did the nurses fob watch begin its journey to healthcare necessity, and who's still using them today? Here, we take a look at the history of the nurse fob watch and why they're still as popular today as they were when they first became part of the uniform. It all started in 15th century Europe... History of the Fob Watch – The First Watches Credit goes, by most accounts, to Peter Henlein, a German craftsman, but (as is often the case) there were others working on the same idea at that time. Humanity had enjoyed some form of time management since the Greek sundial, earlier if one counts the casual sun observer as a "time manager." Transitioning the awareness of time from watching the sun’s position in the sky to a body-worn timepiece was a matter of thousands of years of evolution, and the overnight invention by Henlein. What he did was invent the mainspring—a serial torsion spring of steel ribbon, which stored energy, released by turning the cogs of a timepiece until the stored energy demanded the user rewind the timepiece. The first portable versions were not wrist worn, but pendants, not much different from a conventional nurse watch. Watches would retain this basic engineering until the 20th century, and many antique pocket watches such as these are in high demand today. Transition to Nursing It is not known exactly when nurses began to don the fob watch as part of their uniform. The first portable watches were a toy for the wealthy, as high-quality, hand built watch movements were very expensive. The difference in the watch worn by nurses, and those worn by fashionable dandies back in the day, was that the nurse's fob needed to be accessible without hands. This is where the history of the nurses fob watch comes to life. As a matter of practicality, not so much sterilisation, nurses couldn't fumble a watch. Not only would reaching into a pocket for a watch soil the watch face, it would take time and a free hand. Nurses' hands would likely have fluids on them, and the open-face pocket watches and white dials simply weren't up to the task. They needed a simple solution. Some clever nurse discovered that the common pocket watch, when pinned upside down to the lapel of a tunic, made for a perfect hands-free reading device whenever needed. Watchmakers soon caught on, and the evolution of the nurses fob watch continued apace. Rites of Passage Again, it's difficult to say when, but at some point, fob watches turned into the perfect gift for nurses, and a stainless steel brooch watch became a rite of passage for many aspiring nurses. Like the prestige of gifted writing instrument to the graduating law school student, the fob watch moved from functional accessory to a symbol of accomplishment. Quality counts too—or at least it used to. The same way a quality pen can lend an upwardly mobile office professional more confidence, a classic Swiss timepiece serves the same purpose. Reliable fobs have fuelled not only the careers but the confidences of ambitious nursing school grads for centuries. The New History of the Nurses Fob Watch Advancements have moved the nurse's fob watch far from Henlein’s first pocket watch. The manufacturing of consistent reliable parts is no longer an art but a matter of production. Inexpensive fob watches are easily replaced, even on a tight budget. That said, like the pen before it, there is a vein of tradition running through the fob watch that stitches together the years like a tapestry. Nurses and other medical professionals who appreciate history wear traditionally fashioned fobs as a nod to those who paved the pathway before them. However, advancements in digital technologies are slowly taking the place of the historical nurses fob watch. Today, you are just as likely to see a nurse wear and smartwatch on their wrist, and smartfobs are also beginning to make their way to market—giving nurses a huge range of tools at their fingertips. The history of the nurses fob watch then, is about to enter a new chapter. Now, nurses can monitor their own health as they work as well as their patients. They can take messages and calls directly from their watch, while also ensuring they stay on schedule with push-notifications and other calendar features. Additionally, nurses fob watches can provide important information and resources at the tap of a button or touchscreen. The future of the nurses fob watch, looks very bright indeed. Regional Variances While, Australian and British nurses tend to keep the tradition of the fob, nurses in other parts of the world do not. They may not even know what constitutes a fob watch. In the United States, for example, the tradition of the fob watch is hardly observed. However, it wasn’t always that way. The U.S. Navy Nurse Corps General Uniform Instructions from 1917 read: "No ornaments or jewellery other than a plain watch fob to be worn while on duty. Plain wrist watches are permitted to be worn except when centre-indicated by professional duties." Nurses in the States may own a fob, mostly likely gifted at graduation, but they won’t likely wear it as part of their uniform. There are, of course, exceptions to this. The good news for new nurses and their families is that in this modern world, even quality doesn’t have to cost a fortune. One can purchase a lovely, classically-styled nurses fob, without draining your bank account. Alternatively, there are plenty of no-nonsense silicone fob watches which do the job well with a little colourful fun to boot. Whereas a nurse from the sixteenth century might be fortunate to own one carefully guarded timepiece, today’s nurses may have one to go with every pair of scrubs. One thing hasn’t changed. The job still rides on the shoulders of a meticulously organised person.
June 08, 2020
Medshop Editor
The Best Stethoscope? 3M Littmann vs Welch Allyn
When it comes to making an investment like purchasing a stethoscope making the right choice is mission-critical. Read on to discover how to choose between two top brands — Welch Allyn vs Littmann
May 31, 2020
Medshop Editor
The History of the Hypodermic Needle — Evolution with a Point!
The history of the hypodermic needle involves goose quills, animal bladders and little friendly rivalry. Read on to discover the surprising journey of a healthcare staple.
April 20, 2020
Medshop Editor
Hand Hygiene Australia — The Medshop Guide to Washing Hands Correctly
Australia’s experience of the novel coronavirus has been, to date, less severe than the in US and many European countries. However, as states continue with lockdown measures and the government discusses the possibility of a mandatory app to trace citizens’ contact with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 carriers, it is clear that the threat is far from over. The calls to remain at home or self-isolate, to wear masks and follow stricter hygiene protocols, and to minimise contact with others wherever possible, are now recognised as entirely necessary. The efficacy of these measures abroad is reflected in the flattening of the curve, and as long as everyone recognises these responsibilities, it is hoped that catastrophe can be avoided. So, in order to reaffirm sanitary protocols and remind everyone part of mitigating the spread of the virus is simple as maintaining hand hygiene, here we detail the correct hand washing procedure to keep it fresh in your mind. When to Wash Your Hands Washing your hands should now be routine, and whenever you have returned home after being outside, or after you blow your nose, cough, or sneeze you should wash your hands thoroughly. However, there are plenty of other occasions when you should go through the process, and maintaining good habits now will protect you when lockdown measures are eased. Washing your hands often is important during the crisis, and during these key moments you should take extra care, both before and after: Preparing food Eating and drinking Using the toilet Touching garbage Handling pets Changing nappies or cleaning children Caring for the sick Treating a wound Additionally, with the rise of home deliveries of essential items and food, it is important to wash your hands after receiving packages, bags of food, or other items. Finally, any trip to the pharmacy or handling of pharmaceutical goods should always be preceded and followed by a thorough hand washing. Hand Washing Steps The correct hand washing procedure is simple and only takes a few minutes at most, however, there are a few crucial points that should be adhered to: Remove All Jewellery and Other Items Jewellery such as rings or bracelets make it more difficult to wash your hands thoroughly. Additionally, plasters or bandages should be removed wherever possible as these can be home to pathogens. Once you have completed washing your hands, fresh ones can be applied. Wet Hands and Apply Soap Using warm to hot water, wet your hands thoroughly and apply standard soap or liquid soap. Warm water is generally better as this helps to kill pathogens and allows the soap to work more effectively, however, when used with soap, cold water is also effective. Lather and ScrubLather the soap and scrub your hands for AT LEAST 20 SECONDS. Rub them together, lather the backs of your hands and also between your fingers. Ensure you spread the soap around and under your nails.Rinse Your HandsRinse your hands under warm water where possible and remove all of the soap. Continue rubbing your hands together as you do this. Dry Your HandsWhere possible, dry your hands with an air dryer. Alternatively, a clean towel or paper towel should be used. Dirty towels can help to spread pathogens. Other Points to Think About Following these simple handwashing procedures will help to minimise the threat of transmission of the virus between you, your family, and anyone else you may come into contact with. However, while out of the house, it is important to maintain hygiene standards even when handwashing facilities are difficult to access. In these instances, hand sanitiser or another alcohol-based hand cleaning product should be used to help mitigate infections. While not as effective as handwashing procedures, they can be extremely useful when out and about.
February 02, 2020
Medshop Editor
Post-Op Shoes – Giving the Right Information to Patients
Post-op shoes are one of those small inventions that provide big benefits to patients. Used to protect feet and toes after a medical procedure or an injury, they help to relieve pain and also provide the right kind of support to encourage the healing process
October 01, 2019
Medshop Editor
Student Nursing Kits — A Budget-Friendly Way to Get Everything You Need
Studying medicine is time consuming enough without having to spend hours worrying about which is the best student nursing kit for you. Enrolling on the path to becoming a nurse is a big step, and fees for undergrad courses can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. Not only will you be expected to put in the hours on your theoretical studies, but a large portion of your course will be focused on gaining practical experience, and that requires the right equipment at the right price. In Australia, we have some of the best university nursing courses in the world, and here at Medshop believe students on these courses deserve the best nursing kits to support them on this journey. Each year, these institutions produce thousands of graduates who go on to play an integral part in the healthcare system. A system in which over half of all health professionals are nurses! In order to meet this demand and support our future nurses, Medshop stocks a broad range of top student nursing kits that accommodate all budgets and styles. As nurses’ specialties range from aged care, through surgical, paediatrics, mental health, education, chronic disease, palliative care, research, to health promotion and everything in between, it’s important our nursing kits contain a wide selection of the highest quality equipment. Stethoscopes for Students Whether you’re just after the basics or in need of something a little more comprehensive, there are a few things you should look out for when choosing student nursing equipment. Perhaps the most obvious of these being the stethoscope. The trusty stethoscope is almost as old as modern nursing itself. In their current form, stethoscopes were developed in the mid-19th century and their importance to medicine has grown steadily ever since. A 2012 research paper claimed that the stethoscope, when compared to other medical equipment, had the highest positive impact on the perceived trustworthiness of the healthcare professional seen with it. Now, with its value beyond doubt, the most pressing choice facing our nursing students is which brand of stethoscope to go for. The best student nursing kits at Medshop come with either a 3M Littman or Spirit stethoscope. Both have their own merits but there are a few things to consider when choosing. The Classic 3M Littman stethoscope is widely regarded as the best in the business. Made from high quality materials, they provide improved acoustic performance with excellent audibility of high frequency sounds. However, this does mean they come at a price. For those equally discerning but budget-conscious student nurses, our best student medical kits are also available with the ever reliable Classic Spirit stethoscope. Although less well known, the Spirit stethoscope does not sacrifice any performance thanks to its rugged durability at more affordable price. So, once you’ve decided on your brand, you’ll be faced with the equally tough decision of which colour to go for, as both the 3M Littman and Spirit stethoscopes are available at Medshop in a variety of colours to suit every personality and style on the ward. Now we’ve considered the all-important stethoscope it’s time to take a closer look at some of the best student nursing kits that are available at Medshop. Student Nursing Pack - Littmann Classic III / Spirit Our premium nursing kit is designed to meet the requirements of university nursing courses across Australia. It comes with a top of the range Littman Classic III stethoscope as well as a traditional sphygmomanometer and 10 other vital pieces of equipment. The pack is also available with a Classic Spirit Stethoscope and comes in a rainbow of colours. Either way, with this nursing kit by your side you’ll be the envy of all your colleagues. ACU Student Pack Originally designed for Australia’s best nursing school, ACU, this excellent student nursing kit is now widely used by students at many other universities across the country. Available with the Classic Spirit stethoscope this affordable kit is ideal for those budget conscious students. For an added personal touch, you can even have your stethoscope laser engraved, ensuring it always comes back to you wherever you put it down! As you would expect, Medshop had also packed in all the other essentials you might need, including a sphygmomanometer, LED penlight, nurses’ pouch and safety glasses. Basic Nursing Utility Kit For those who only require the basic essentials when it comes to nursing packs, our Basic Nursing Utility Kit has you covered. This small kit packs a big punch, filled with high quality equipment designed for performance and reliability all at a very affordable price. You’ll find scissors, forceps, a penlight and a practical nurses fob watch in the kit. Like most of our other nursing kits it comes in an extraordinary variety of colours to suit even anyone with an eye for style.
March 13, 2019
Medshop Editor
Every Nurse Wants to Get in Sanita Shoes; Here's Why
It’s more than only nurses clamouring for Sanita shoes. Doctors and paramedics also want them. At a glance, they’re nursing shoes, not much more than other popular medical shoe brands. What is it that makes Sanita so special? Is it just new kid on the block popularity or is there something else? The single answer to both of those questions: It depends on who you ask. Let’s be honest. It was only last year we were singing the praises of Oxypas as if there were no other footwear for nurses. Nothing has changed about Oxypas. They’re still great shoes for those who have to be on their feet for three shifts in a row. And what about Dansko, the third brand we carry? Well, we’re gonna get into some comparisons in this blog. We’ll talk about why you might prefer one over the other, and answer common questions then come up. This is your Medshop Sanita shoe shakedown, and it’s not a dance, but if it were it would be a clogging routine. Sanita versus Oxypas In case you missed it, we covered Oxypas in this piece: 7 Reasons Oxypas is the Most Comfortable Nursing Shoe You’ll Ever Wear To cut to the chase, there is an almost century-long gulf between these two brands. Sanita started making clogs in 1907. Oxypas didn’t start making them until 1991. They’re also split by many seas. Sanita is originally a Dutch company, Oxypas an Australian brand. What Oxypas does is close to the more popular brand, Crocs, but more professionally styled. Oxypas isn’t only injection-moulded footwear. They also work in some leather in some models. One thing is for sure, Oxypas makes comfortable shoes. They’re also quite a bit more affordable so for nursing students and those fresh out of school, Oxypas will likely be your first pair of work shoes until you get a paycheck or two under your bum bag. Their no-slip, non-skid, anti-static, antibiotic design is no-nonsense too, but you might want for something more modern. When you get up to speed, a pair of Sanitas will feel like an unnecessary upgrade. A sturdy pair of Oxypas will get you through many shifts without a complaint, but when you feel like flexing your style in something a little less conservative, Sanita will be there for you. Case in point, Sanita’s Wave professional knit shoe is both comfortable and stylish. The knit upper breathes like no other medical shoe, and they walk about like a cloud. Speaking of walkabouts, you might think they’re comfortable enough for getting out on the trail in your free time because they’re so darn easy. That’s probably pushing it, but it’s understandable how someone would reach that conclusion. Sanita versus Dansko If you’re wondering, “Aren’t Sanitas made by Dansko?” you’re right to feel confused, but made by? Not quite. They used to be connected. You could say that they share a heritage. Once upon a time, Sanita produced Dansko’s footwear, but that contract ended in 2007. That’s when the Dansko arm of Sanita, owned by a pair of Americans, moved their manufacturing elsewhere. When push comes to shove, the Sanita shoes are less expensive and more comfortable by many accounts. Your mileage may vary, but that's their reputation. At the top of the comparisons, both companies produce a professional shoe, appropriate for most medical workplaces. Unless you’re talking about the traditional stapled clogs made by both brands, which are nearly identical (see image above), Sanita’s styles can be less traditional than Dansko’s. For this reason, Sanita tends to sway a younger but more affluent crowd, but there is no age restriction on comfort or style. Wear what you prefer. If you’re accustomed to Dansko and see no issues with your current footwear, you might first ask yourself why you’ve read this far into this blog. But, if you’re only curious, there’s no cause for alarm. If you’re not 100 per cent sure or curious to the extent that you want to sow your wild oats, take a pair Sanitas for a spin next time you need a fresh pair of shoes. You might come to understand why they let the Dansko line split off. A good place to start would be Sanita’s San Flex clog with the closed heel. It’s nearly the same clog as the one Dansko made popular in the ‘90s. Where are Sanita shoes made? The history of clogging in Denmark might go back to the 15th century (the first instance in written history was in 1481), but Sanita didn’t start making them until 1907. For context, at that time roadways were clogged with horses, not cars, and the telephone was a hot new technology enjoyed only by the wealthy. When Christian Meldgaard Andersen started making his wood-bottomed clogs in Denmark, he couldn’t have imagined they’d eventually have worldwide appeal. They might be a Danish company at heart, but Sanita shoes are now made worldwide. Thankfully, they broke the traditional wood-bottomed mould in the 1980s because ouch. Today’s Sanita fanatics can still wear a clog that nods to tradition without suffering the clopping sound of a horse when walking down the hall. Where are Sanita shoes sold? If you plan to visit Denmark any time soon, you can definitely find a pair of Sanita shoes. For the rest of us, they have distributors in over 50 countries, Australia included. They produce far more than clog, with more non-clog lines these days. Many workers the work round know the brand as their most comfortable shoes. Country by country, different distributors carry Sanita. At home in Australia, you’ll find what you need as a medical professional in our catalogue under footwear. Are Sanita shoes good for your feet? For the record, we’re not podiatrists. Nobody at Medshop could say beyond a shred of a doubt that any one brand is good for your feet. Every professional is going to have to find out firsthand what works best for her feet. That said, most of the shoes we carry will work for most people who have feet. That’s not to say they’ll be good for your feet, which is a complicated matter that could occupy an entire blog of its own. Some believe vehemently that shoes themselves are not good for the feet, but good luck showing up to work without a pair. There are certainly shoes out there which would be bad for your feet, none of which we carry. So, by process of elimination, one could argue Sanitas are good for your feet. They’re not only breathable, anti-slip, antistatic, and super comfy, they look stylish with a faux-denim finished upper. They’ll also receive cramping, which may relieve back pain, and other discomforts so yeah they’re good for your feet. They’re good for your whole body. Of course, if you have questions about footwear, contact us at Medshop. We would be more than happy to help you land on the right pair of shoes for work.
October 01, 2018
Medshop Editor
The Better AED; Zoll AED 3 vs. Heartsine Samaritan
All averages being equal, if you suffer a cardiac arrest, you stand a one in ten chance of survival. That number goes up if you have one near someone who knows CPR, and goes up even more if there is an AED unit nearby. In fact, these numbers have been slowly ticking up every year since we started tracking this data. Most organizations divide heart attacks by those in public settings, otherwise known as Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrests (OHCAs) versus those under the watchful eye of medical professionals. Should you have one, you may have mixed feelings about being in a hospital when it happens. Sure, it’s nice to be in the ideal place to have one, but it begs the question: why were you there in the first place? The solution isn’t to move the public into hospitals full-time. What will push the needle past the ten per cent mark faster? Do we empower the public or hold out for artificial intelligence (AI) to save more lives? Since we’re not yet there with AI, we need more access to AEDs and more people who aren’t afraid to use one. To cover the largest segment of situations, we must get more AED units where people can access them quickly. We also have to make sure they know where those AED units are located, but that’s a whole ‘nother blog. To get more units in more places, we have to then ask, which AED unit is most ideal for the most situations? AED Companies There are a few companies that specialize in this equipment. As such, we only carry five AED manufacturers, but two always rise as the most popular, Zoll and Heartsine. Zoll makes AED units which work with parts made by another AED manufacturer, Laerdal. They make the accessories that go with Zoll’s units, like pads, batteries, and other parts. The other company that some feel is a better option is Heartsine. We’ll get into why that might be in a second. Heartsine operates as a self-contained manufacturer of parts and units. Both Zoll and Heartsine have compelling origin stories, also coming in a second. So who makes the better unit? Both of them offer friendly, fully-automated AED units. Zoll has their AED 3. Heartsine offers their Samaritan. We’re going to put them head to head in a second, but first, we should look at the Zoll and Heartsine brands. The best unit in the world is no good if made by a company that goes under tomorrow. Zoll AED Company Founder Paul M. Zoll was the first person to successfully use external defibrillation to regulate heart rhythms. That was way back in 1956, but Dr Zoll had been researching this technology for years before succeeding. For many decision-makers, this is all they need to know to decide on Zoll. No doubt, Zoll is a reputable brand from a reputable name, but Zoll Medical Corporation is not the company Dr Zoll started in the 50s. Today they produce a variety of defibrillators, and automated devices designed to monitor patients and keep them alive. Dr Zoll was so well regarded, Harvard University in the USA, made him their clinical professor of medicine, emeritus, in 1977. Three years later he incorporated the Zoll name, along with a cadre of investors. Over the next decade, the Zoll brand led the pacemaker and defibrillator market, going public in 1992. To this day, Zoll remains committed to Dr Zoll’s first mission, improving resuscitation through technology. Zoll, the man, passed away on January 5, 1999, but his vision remains strong in the company he created. Heartsine AEDs While it might sound like Zoll raised the bar too high for anyone else to compete in the market, that didn’t stop Heartsine from taking Zoll’s defibrillator idea to the next level. Prior to Heartsine, defibrillators were cumbersome operations, a key element of crash carts, plugged into strong power sources. They were not as portable, certainly not accessible as they are today. The founder of Heartsine, Professor John Anderson, ran in the same circles as Paul Zoll and as such, persued the similar goals. Anderson was a researcher in the 60s, one tasked to take what human knew about defibrillation and adapt it to a portable format. By 1966, other researchers had created a meaty (50 kilo) device that was somewhat portable, giving birth to the first mobile care units for coronary events. It didn’t take long for people in both Zoll’s and Anderson’s camps to realize that further portability was the future of AEDs, but it was Anderson who did it first in 1967. He had joined the original team of researchers to become part of the team that would change the future. With his help, they dropped the 50 kilos AED down to 20 kilos. It was still heavy, but it was more portable than the first version. By the 1970s, they’d brought it down to 7 kilos, rechargeable, and the new standard for defibrillation. For fans of Heartsine, Anderson’s early innovations is what makes them loyal fans. Zoll AED 3 A far cry from what Anderson's team first invented, the Zoll AED 3 a nice upgrade from its predecessor, the AED Plus. This is primarily due to the fully automated aspect of the unit plus the low cost of management. While the AED 3 does cost users more upfront (about $500) it saves them on accessory costs. Pads for the AED 3 work on both adults and children. They also last for five years, as does the unit’s battery. It gets better, though. because the AED 3 connects to your wireless network and can, therefore, connect to ZOLL’s PlusTrac™ AED program management system. This unit renders inspection nearly obsolete. If there is anything needed with the maintenance of your AED 3, you’ll receive an email alerting you to the matter right away. It also keeps track of pad and battery life so you also will receive notifications when those need replacing. The 3 comes in semi and fully-automated versions, but with the fully automated version, the unit is more available to more people. Other than carrying the actual unit, a mere 2.2 kilos, to a victim, and following the device’s instructions, the AED 3 does all the difficult work. It even recharges in ten seconds from a full battery. Of course, someone has to swap out new pads or a new battery if warranted, but it’s still a massive leap from Dr Zoll’s first external defibrillator. It won’t be long before AI does all the heavy lifting, defibrillation included. You can believe Zoll will be at the forefront of that technology. Let me see the Zoll AED 3 Heartsine Samaritan AED For their heavyweight contender, Heartsine offers their Samaritan AED unit, otherwise known as the 500p. If you thought the AED 3 was more impressive than the story of Dr Zoll’s own story, the Samaritan will at least equally impress you. It is also an automated device, but what the Heartsine Samaritan offers that other AEDs cannot is CPR feedback. It’s a point of fact that a combination of CPR and AED offers a cardiac arrest victim the best chance of survival. It’s true that even bad CPR is better than none at all, but the Samaritan aims to improve your compressions with constant feedback derived from feedback via the patient's nervous system. That way, as a first responder, you can deliver the most effective chest compressions with cues like “push harder” or “good compressions” from the Samaritan. What’s more, if you thought 2.2 kilos was a drastic drop in weight from those first portable defibrillators, the Samaritan comes in at half that weight, 1.1 kilos. EVERYONE can carry and use the Samaritan 500p. Let me see the Heartsine Samaritan 500p Which AED is the Best? For someone who wants an all-encompassing, lightweight unit that “does it all,” the Samaritan edges out Zoll’s AED 3 with a lighter design and more features. For users who prefer to work with a more popular brand, Zoll has more edge. Perhaps because of Dr Zoll’s name or more strategic marketing, Zoll outsells Heartsine. Rest assured, picking one over the other will prove little difference for saving lives over the other. They are both impressive units from two of the most important brands in the medical technology field. Regarding the depressing data on survival rates and what you can do. This is it: The Restart a Heart group intends to change this ten per cent survival data with their Restart a Heart Day, taking place on October 16. Medshop Australia is a proud sponsor of that event, and it is 100 per cent the reason behind us creating this blog. That, and giving you our two cents on the matter of AEDs. Let me see all the AEDs
September 04, 2018
Medshop Editor
Why the Biolight Pulse Oximeter is the Most Popular Brand
With so many options for pulse oximeters, most of which are good options, why does the Biolight line of pulse oximeters sell better than all the rest? It’s a good question, one I aim to answer in this blog. That said, this will not be a brand-by-brand review nor a how-to of pulse oximetry. It will not answer questions like, what does the pulse oximeter measure? We covered that back in March with the blog: How to Read a Pulse Oximeter. If you’ve read that piece, you may already have an idea of what Biolight offers that separates it from the pack of respectable competitors, Heal Force, and the most venerable of the bunch, Rossmax. The latter one takes up more half space at Medshop Australia, likely because of the Rossmax reputation across their entire line of medical technology. But… Biolight rises up as the most purchased, and arguably best oximeter for your money because it delivers a reliable measurement of oxygen saturation (SpO2) and a heart rate (BPM) every darn time. It’s as ideal for the clinic as it is for the home, unit depending. Which is the best oximeter? Um, was the question “the best,” as in the best? The answer to that question depends on how you want to measure "best"? Some would lean on feature-rich designs complete with OLED displays, pleth charts, anti-movement and ambient light blocking capabilities, and perhaps something that cleans itself and the dirty dishes. For anyone who has ever bought an electronic device or vehicle, they know the promise of feature-rich experiences can often be the biggest disappointments. More tricks mean a more adept user and could mean more aspects that break over time. For context, ask anyone who has purchased a pair of Bluetooth headphones in recent history about their experience. Best can more reliably be measured by competence, especially over time. The best oximeter will continue to aid the user in measuring her or her patient’s SpO2 and BPM with accuracy. It will do this without fail, and without breaking the bank. Biolight Begun in 1993, and headquartered in Zhuhai China, Guandong Biolight Meditech Co., Ltd is a relatively new company in the medical technology sphere. For comparison, competitor Rossmax has been around since 1988, which is also fairly young, but still more venerable than Heal Force started in 1989. All of this shiny newness hasn’t stopped Biolight from growing an internationally recognized brand for patient monitoring. They also deliver emergency care, fetal monitoring instruments, ECG, Hemodialysis renal care, and other digital health solutions. Biolight isn’t some fly-by-night company either. Since 2011 they have been an IPO, and their stock is currently traded on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. The secret to their success, as they put it on their site is, “look[ing] beyond the technology to the experience of dedicated healthcare professionals and find inspirations in the needs of [their] customers.” As such, Biolight dedicates 10 per cent of their annual revenue to research. If that weren’t enough, Biolight also maintains many long-term relationships with top universities, global health organizations, health and social responsibility organizations. They stay actively involved in education, humanitarian missions, and patient care social projects. All of that and more goes behind every Biolight tool. What is the best oximeter for home use? Which of the Biolight oximeters is best for your at-home usage? Depending on your specific needs, there are more than one option in the Biolight lineup of oximeters. The most robust of the list is the Biolight M800 patient monitor, which is more like a computer than a simple oximeter. At the time of this writing, the M800 fetches $395.00, which is quite competitive considering it offers a hi-resolution colour OLED display for spot checking and continuous monitoring as you prefer. The continuous aspect will go for a full 16 hours on 3 AA batteries, which is incredible. Shop for the M800 NOW Most users will be content to use something smaller like a finger pulse oximeter. Biolight has two models, one clearly for adults, and one clearly for children. For adults, the SP02 is a great product at $88.00 (priced as of this writing). The pediatric version, which you know is for kids because it looks something like a cute blue penguin, with a display on its belly, is the same price as the SP02. In fact, it’s the same finger oximeter with the same name SP02, but with minor design differences. For children who might be afraid of medical devices, the non-threatening and cute bird face helps facilitate accurate readings. If you have kids, you can’t go wrong with this for keeping accurate measurements in the home. Are finger pulse oximeters accurate? As the finer oximeters outnumber the handheld versions, one must wonder if there is any compromise in their smaller designs? If your needs for tracking SpO2 and BPM require that you maintain continuous data, a finger oximeter isn’t going to do it for you. It may be nice to have for taking quick trips away from home, but in the long run, you’ll not want to stray too far from your handheld monitor. Check with your family doctor to be sure in any case. As far as accuracy goes, there is no oximeter which is 100 per cent accurate. There are simply too many variables to know that your reading is 100 per cent on point. Likely, however, if you are reading this blog you already know that. Finger pulse oximeters can be very effective for monitoring changes over time. The Biolight lineup is solid performers in this regard. So, what is the best pulse oximeter on the market? Pound for pound, measured by popularity, the Biolight line of oximeters rise up to the top every time. You'll get the most features for your investment with every one of their oximeters. You can shop the other manufacturers at Medshop Australia, and we’ll stand behind those products as we do with any of the products we carry. They’re all quality products. But, if you want to get the most for your money, you’re likely going to look at the Biolight oximeters first. If you have more questions, don't hesitate to contact us. Shop Biolight Pulse Oximeters
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