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Medical Taiwan 2026

5 Simple Ways To Schedule Maintenance Of Hospital Equipment

Hospitals face unique maintenance challenges due to the high and unpredictable demand for different healthcare equipment. There is constant pressure to ensure optimal medical equipment availability and safety.

Timely maintenance is essential for maximizing the availability, durability (extended lifetime), and reliability of multiple hospital equipment, boosting a facilityโ€™s compliance with statutory regulations. Hospital maintenance is dynamic, and maintenance managers must establish measures to incorporate emergency maintenance into existing equipment maintenance plans.

Which methods can hospitals leverage to schedule equipment maintenance despite the unique challenges of the healthcare sector?

1. Develop a proactive equipment maintenance program

One of the goals of an effective maintenance program is to prevent equipment from failing. Proactive maintenance reduces the amount of deferred maintenance work and emergency incidents that can be life-threatening while fostering long-term financial planning and keeping maintenance operations predictable.

There are two types of proactive maintenance hospitals can leverage.

Preventive maintenance involves activities implemented over fixed intervals to inspect medical devices and replace some components. The goal is to keep assets running and prevent emergency breakdowns.

Hospitals that use preventive maintenance strategy leverage past maintenance records and manufacturer-recommended intervals to determine effective maintenance cycles. Maintenance managers can prepare for upcoming tasks and assemble all maintenance supplies. They also allocate workloads among employees, reducing the pressure associated with emergency breakdowns.

On the other hand, predictive maintenance (PdM) is a more robust, data-driven strategy relying on condition-monitoring sensors to track the real-time performance of hospital equipment. PdM is beneficial when dealing with critical equipment like life support machines, surgery equipment, and radiology devices. The strategy combines real-time data and advanced algorithms to predict when failures will occur based on prevailing equipment performance.

Predictive maintenance enhances planning by availing accurate data on the actual conditions of equipment. The system generates timely alerts for maintenance teams to implement corrective measures to ensure various pieces of equipment are safe and functional.

Working with a proactive maintenance program simplifies planning irrespective of the number of equipment in a healthcare facility.

2. Utilize a digital asset management system

Manual asset management systems of the past were prone to several errors โ€” duplicate records, incomplete asset information, or wrong asset tags. Such errors mean some equipment runs continuously without adequate maintenance โ€” a risky undertaking for a hospital.

With this in mind, hospitals definitely require a centralized system for tracking each piece of equipment and monitoring its maintenance standards.

Investing in a digital asset management system improves visibility and helps hospitals overcome other challenges, such as wrong spare part purchases that may jeopardize the quality of equipment maintenance.

The system provides a centralized platform to monitor the performance of each piece of equipment alongside detailed maintenance histories. It gives a glimpse into the number of active assets in a facility, allowing them to establish appropriate maintenance schedules and allocate sufficient funds for emergency and scheduled maintenance.

Digitizing asset management means better tracking, reducing theft, and purchasing duplicate maintenance stocks. It enables hospitals to streamline inventory management and planning.

3. Prioritize equipment maintenance tasks

Hospital maintenance teams manage repairs and care of multiple assets. Regardless of the size, each piece of equipment is crucial within the facility. However, some pieces of equipment require more attention than others.

Critical assets like infant incubators, emergency power supply systems, and life support machines require more attention than wheelchairs. This explains why a hospital should develop a hierarchy of maintenance needs. These needs change as the asset ages, equipment usage frequency increases, and facilities install newer equipment.

Hospitals can streamline equipment maintenance scheduling by categorizing assets based on their criticality and the hierarchy of maintenance needs. Critical assets require frequent inspections and testing to remain operational within the recommended levels. Inspections can uncover hidden deficiencies that could reduce equipment reliability or increase its risk of breaking down. Leveraging digital maintenance records and continuous risk assessments allows hospital maintenance teams to identify assets requiring more attention.

A maintenance priority list enables hospitals to stagger preventive and corrective maintenance schedules and develop sustainable measures for combating emergency breakdowns without overstretching lean maintenance budgets or deferring maintenance tasks. Hospitals can also use maintenance priority lists to source hard-to-find (rare) supplies for more predictable maintenance planning.

4. Automate maintenance scheduling using CMMS solutions

CMMS is an all-in-one asset and inventory tracking, maintenance scheduling, employee management, work order organization, and budget planning solution.

It is crucial when developing hospital equipment maintenance schedules โ€” the system centralizes and automates routine maintenance activities, ensuring hospitals undertake relevant maintenance measures at appropriate intervals.

A reliable CMMS solution stores maintenance logs for all equipment in a facility. Hospitals can create a calendar-based preventive maintenance schedule for each piece of equipment.

The system allows maintenance supervisors to remotely approve work requests and update changing maintenance schedules on a need basis. It generates alerts when maintenance is due, preventing the possibility of delayed equipment maintenance.

CMMS solutions help hospitals to build data-driven equipment maintenance strategies. These solutions are compatible with condition-monitoring technologies, simplifying data collection and analysis for optimized maintenance scheduling.

Technicians update the status of completed maintenance work and maintenance supplies used, reducing planning challenges and ensuring optimal visibility of maintenance work. The CMMS solution automatically updates inventory records, allowing the procurement department to monitor stock levels and make fresh supplies whenever stock falls below predetermined levels.

5. Conduct frequent maintenance audits

Hospitals are subject to various external audits to monitor compliance with statutory regulations. These audits examine:

  • the quality of maintenance work
  • safety of medical devices
  • effectiveness of routine operations

The hospitals can improve their compliance standards by devising in-house maintenance audits backed by CMMS solutions and other relevant maintenance data to improve internal processes, identify maintenance bottlenecks, and discover deficiencies in existing maintenance schedules.

Hospitals can quantify the effectiveness of various maintenance operations through audits and update standard operating procedures (SOPs), safety measures, and digital maintenance checklists and manuals to match existing equipment technologies and asset sizes.

The audits help hospitals to eliminate non-effective or costly maintenance schedules and substitute them with data-driven alternatives for better short and long-term planning and budgeting.

Final thoughts

Hospitals deal with unique challenges that complicate routine and emergency equipment maintenance schedules. Maintenance managers in these facilities grapple with highly-critical equipment whose demand is unpredictable, yet they must perform regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance and safety.

Adopting best maintenance practices backed by digital solutions and enlisting the services of qualified technical teams ensures seamless implementation of corrective and proactive measures. All that streamlines maintenance planning and keeps hospital maintenance costs at sustainable levels. Through proper maintenance planning and execution, hospitals can enjoy extended equipment life and adhere to various compliance and safety standards.

Bryan Christiansen is the founder and CEO of Limble CMMS. Limble is a modern, easy-to-use mobile CMMS software that takes the stress and chaos out of maintenance by helping managers organize, automate, and streamline their maintenance operations.

Build new muscle memory with IT to transform healthcare

Is muscle memory a good thing? Or a bad thing? And how does it hinder digital transformation, particularly in the healthcare industry?

Most of us have heard of muscle memory โ€“ itโ€™s the embedded learning that comes from repeated practice or exposure to a situation. Itโ€™s what allows us to perform a task smoothly, efficiently and almost unconsciously, for example driving, riding a bike or playing an instrument.

That seems like a good thing โ€“ right? But what if your muscle memory has codified bad behaviour? What if you have an inefficient golf swing, or you learned to finger guitar chords the wrong way? In that case, muscle memory can be a trap that holds you back from achieving excellence.

Change requires unlearning, and relearning. Itโ€™s a process that can be so frustrating you may give up. If youโ€™re really motivated, youโ€™ll make the investment, but you have to be convinced the benefit outweighs the effort.

The concept of muscle memory can be extended to organisations as well. Businesses tend to create processes and culture that reinforce a particular way of operating, making decisions or working with customers. As with physical actions, organisational muscle memory makes for smooth operations โ€“ except when thereโ€™s a need for radical change.

Healthcare delivery incorporates both physical muscle memory โ€“ inserting an IV, performing a surgical procedure, positioning an imaging device โ€“ and organisational muscle memory โ€“ shift transitions, pre-procedure checklists, patient authorisation processes, etc. Muscle memory of both sorts complicates the introduction of health information technology (IT) whether an electronic health record (EHR), a new device or new analytics, because it disrupts an entrenched process in ways that can slow down performance and lead to intense frustration. For example, studies have shown that EHRs can contribute to physician and nursing burnout.

The incredible challenges facing healthcare providers right now make it imperative that we find better, more efficient ways to manage and deliver care. Staffing shortages are prompting the widespread adoption of virtual-first care models. The effective treatment of chronic disease requires a shift from solo to team-based care. These are theoretically good things, but require substantive changes in the organisation and the individuals that comprise that organisation.

In other words, we need to make changes that go against our collective muscle memory.

If we are going to build the new muscle memory that will move healthcare forward, leaders need to do four things:

  1. Establish a genuine sense of urgency by articulating a compelling vision for why change is necessary, including both the consequences of the status quo, and the benefits of the investment.
  2. Understand the stakeholders and what matters to each of them. What is worthwhile to the organisation may be very different than what matters to the individual โ€“ there need to be significant benefits for all to create lasting change.
  3. โ€œWork with the Willingโ€ and build momentum through incremental quick wins.
  4. Leverage IT as both a change enabler and a reinforcer. This of course, implies that your technology is designed, configured and deployed in ways that support desired new behaviours.

Digital transformation occurs when IT empowers and reinforces change to the collective muscle memory as one element of an inspiring vision โ€“ perhaps safer care, more time for patients, or better work-life balance. Once you build the muscle memory for the next step in your transformation, it will make it easy to perform moving forward. Change is never easy, but excellence is always worth the investment.

Best Medical Professions: The Perfect Resume For Paramedic Positions

Crafting the perfect resume for a paramedic position isn’t easy, but it’s not impossible either. The job of a paramedic can be physically demanding at times, and it requires working long shifts in a variety of environments. It also entails dealing with the stress of life-and-death situations while providing a high level of care for patients. As such, it takes a special kind of person to be successful in this role.

Special Skills And Certifications

One of the most important skills a paramedic must possess is strong communication abilities. Not only do they need to be able to communicate effectively with their patients, but they must also be able to clearly and concisely explain medical information to other medical personnel. They must also be able to think quickly on their feet and remain calm under pressure when responding to emergency situations.

Having certifications in specialized fields such as pediatric advanced life support (PALS), neonatal resuscitation (NRP), or trauma nurse core course (TNCC) can also give paramedics an edge over other candidates. Paramedics should also consider earning certifications in hazardous materials handling, wilderness medicine, or tactical emergency casualty care (TECC). Each of these certifications shows potential employers that a candidate is willing to go above and beyond in their training and preparedness for the role.

Paramedics are required to be CPR certified in order to perform their duties effectively. They must renew their certification periodically in order to maintain their certification and keep their skills current. Online CPR renewal courses are available for paramedics that can provide a convenient and cost-effective way to stay up-to-date on the latest CPR techniques.

Paramedics must have a valid driver’s license and be comfortable driving emergency vehicles such as ambulances or fire trucks. To ensure safety and compliance with local laws, it is important that paramedics stay up-to-date on their driver’s education courses so that they are always prepared for any situation that may arise while on the job.

Crafting An Effective Resume

When crafting an effective resumeย for paramedic positions, it is important to emphasize the unique skills and certifications that make you stand out. Start by including a summary of your qualifications and experience that clearly states why you are an ideal candidate for the job. Include any awards or recognition you have received as a paramedic, as well as any special skills you possess such as hazardous materials handling or wilderness medicine.

Once you have outlined your qualifications and experience, list your professional certifications in reverse chronological order starting with the most recent one. Be sure to include all relevant certificates, licenses, and courses that demonstrate your knowledge and experience in the field. This will not only show potential employers that you are dedicated to continuing your education but also that you meet all the necessary requirements for the role.

Creating An Engaging Summary Statement

Having outlined your qualifications and certifications, it is now time to create an engaging summary statement that will draw the readerโ€™s attention. This should be a concise overview of your professional experience, qualifications, and commitment to service as a paramedic. Be sure to highlight any unique skills or specializations in the field that make you stand out from other candidates. Additionally, use strong action verbs such as โ€œmanagedโ€, โ€œcoordinatedโ€, and โ€œdevelopedโ€ when describing your experience in order to demonstrate your leadership ability and knowledge of the profession.

Your summary statement should also include information on why you are passionate about being a paramedic and how you plan to use that passion in this role. Highlight any extracurricular activities you have participated in that show off your dedication to helping others. Finally, express the value that you can bring to the position and how your experience will benefit the organization.

Highlighting Relevant Experience

Having outlined an engaging summary statement, it is now time to highlight relevant experience. This should include any past positions that you have held as a paramedic and any additional training or certifications that you have obtained. Be sure to include details such as the name of the organization, your specific responsibilities, and the results of your work. For example, if you are applying for a position with a fire department, you could mention how you managed emergency medical situations in the field or the number of successful resuscitations you have performed.

It is also important to demonstrate how your experience has prepared you for this role. Showcase any specialized knowledge or skills that align with the duties of the position and focus on how these set you apart from other candidates.

Showcasing Educational Achievements

Building on the relevant experience you’ve outlined, it is also important to showcase your educational achievements. Many paramedic positions require some type of certification or degree, and these qualifications can help set you apart from other applicants. Start by clearly listing any certifications or degrees that you hold, and then explain what knowledge or skills you acquired during your studies. Focus on those that are relevant to the position and discuss how they will help you excel in this role.

Talk about any special courses you took to gain extra experience or knowledge in a specific area related to the paramedic field. For example, if you completed a course in emergency triage procedures, explain how this experience has enabled you to better assess potential medical risks in a variety of situations. Showing employers that you are committed to continually learning and growing as a professional can demonstrate your dedication to excellence in patient care.

Paramedics are an essential part of the healthcare system and it is important to make sure that your resume stands out in order to gain any positions. With the right approach, you can be sure of creating a successful resume for paramedic positions.

4 Important Ways to Look After Yourself as You Recover from Breast Cancer

Suffering from breast cancer is an ordeal for your body and mind alike, so itโ€™s necessary to take a multifaceted approach to heal and self-care as you start down the road to recovery.

Here are a few of the steps you can take in this context that will have a potentially transformative impact on your life as a breast cancer survivor.

Explore Reconstruction Surgery: Get the Facts and Make an Informed Decision

Reconstruction surgery is a way to rebuild your breast, or both breasts if needed. It can help you feel more confident in your body after undergoing treatment for cancer.

There are many options available when it comes to single or double mastectomy reconstructive surgery, such as implants, or using tissue from other parts of the body, like back muscles or lower tummy fat. Talk with your doctor about what’s best for you, and get all the facts before making any decisions.

Also remember that everyoneโ€™s recovery journey is different, and some may find reconstruction surgery helpful, while others don’t wish to undergo this procedure at all. Ultimately, only you can make this choice, so take time and listen to yourself throughout this process.

Nourish Your Body: Healthy Eating for Healing

Eating well is an important part of recovery after undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Nutrient-rich foods are essential to help your body heal and rebuild its strength.

Focus on adding a wide range of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats into your diet while avoiding processed or sugary snacks. Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day too.

If youโ€™re struggling to cook meals due to lack of energy, or just don’t have the time in between doctor’s appointments, there are ways around it. You could look into meal delivery services that provide nutritious pre-made meals that can be tailored specifically toward cancer patients’ needs.

Alternatively, reach out to family members or friends who may be able to offer support with cooking if needed. With some simple changes, nourishing yourself during this period will become much easier.

Move to Mend: Exercise for Recovery & Strength Building

Exercise is a great way to help your body heal and regain its strength. Itโ€™s vital that you don’t overdo it though, so start slowly with light stretching and gradually build up from there, once cleared by your doctor.

Low-impact activities like walking, swimming, or yoga could be beneficial in this context, as they promote flexibility without putting too much strain on the body.

If possible, try exercising outdoors in nature. Being in a calm environment can have positive effects on mental well-being as well.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed at first, take things one step at a time. Set small goals that are achievable so progress feels more manageable, rather than an insurmountable chore.

Find Supportive Resources in Your Community

Having the right support network can be incredibly beneficial during a period of recovery. Itโ€™s important to take advantage of any resources available that might help you feel more comfortable and secure within your own community.

This could include joining local support groups specifically for cancer survivors, attending counseling sessions, or even just reaching out to loved ones who could offer emotional guidance when needed.

You may also find comfort in connecting with other people online through forums and social media. This allows you to access advice from individuals across the world regardless of location, which is especially helpful if no suitable resources are available locally.

Final Thoughts

In all this, remember to be kind to yourself, and to your body. Do not expect recovery to happen overnight, but give yourself the time and space to process all that youโ€™ve been through, and all thatโ€™s to come.

5 Little Things You Should Do for Yourself Every Day

Self-care is an important part of any healthy lifestyle. However, for some, it’s not an easy concept to grasp. It’s natural to want to help others, but before you can do that, you must be in a positive mental state yourself.

Always remember that it’s not selfish to take care of your individual needs. Focusing on yourself every day can help you be more productive in all areas of life.

Want to learn more? Below we are going to talk about just five little things that you should incorporate into your daily routine.

Move Your Body

Exercise doesnโ€™t have to always be an intense gym workout. Simply getting up and moving has many incredible benefits for our bodies.

Take a walk, stretch, or just get up from your desk and move around for a few minutes. Not only will it help loosen stiff muscles, but it will give your brain a much-needed break.

If you’ve got a busy day, try making a few simple changes. For instance, you mightย take the stairsย or walk/bike to work instead of driving.

Practice Gratitude

Practicing gratitude is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Taking a few minutes to think about all the things youโ€™re thankful for can fill you with positive energy and help put things in a different perspective.

This doesn’t have to be on large scale either. Something as simple as being thankful for a delicious dinner can be enough to brighten your day.

Remember, it isn’t bad to appreciate something you have done. You deserve recognition when you achieve something great! Click here for more information on self-care and its importance.

Unplug

Technology has made our lives easier in many ways, but too much screen time can leave us feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Once work is done, put away your devices and fill your time with other activities, such as painting, drawing, cooking, or reading a book.

It may feel strange at first, but soon you’ll probably look forward to unplugging. There is a good chance yourย sleepย with benefit too!

Connect With Others

Relationships are a critical part of life, so make sure that youโ€™re connecting with other people regularly. Whether itโ€™s talking with family members or meeting up with friends, having conversations with people who support and understand you will improve your emotional wellbeing

If you don’t have anybody close to confide with, take this as an opportunity to make some new friends. Of course, this is easier said than done, but putting yourself out there will be worth it in the long run.

Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness isn’t just aboutย meditatingย – it’s about paying attention to everything happening in the present moment. This could vary from spending time outside observing nature to focusing on your breathing.

Being mindful helps reduce stress levels and makes it easier to remain grounded during difficult times. Some of the other benefits include:

โ€ข Lowers blood pressure.

โ€ข Increases self-awareness.

โ€ข Assists with regulating emotions.

โ€ข Increases concentration and focus.

Final Words

As you can see from the above, self-care really is essential! Taking care of yourself should be treated like any other commitment in life and with the right dedication, you will see amazing results.

Collective & Collaborative Care Coordination

The Challenge
Higher Standards is a fast-growing home health group in the Dallas area committed to delivering a VIP experience to all its patients. Their leadership team knew exactly what they needed from a technology partner, but after months of searching, they began to wonder if such an application.

Enter Buzz from Skyscape
Higher Standards co-founder Christina Wise-Orlowski eventually discovered Buzz and, after convincing her staff to give it a chance, has never looked back. Luckily, the Higher Standards Director of Nursing and Assistant Director of Nursing quickly realized that Buzz was unlike their last technology partner. The Buzz team was genuinely invested in their success and provded hands-on support to ensure every staff member could get the most from the product.

HIPAA-Compliance Has Some Surprising Benefits
Buzz also produces a HIPAA-secure, searchable record of care which is not only useful in the field, but also for compliance. When a state auditor paid Higher Standards a visit and inquired about the care of a particular patient, the clinical staff was able to recall information with ease, leading the surveyor to remark โ€œAll agencies need to use a tool like this.โ€

Buzz helped them secure their first zero-deficiency designation in their state/federal survey. Buzz was there to save the day!

Home health groups are tasked with stewarding sensitive information from diagnosis codes to patient histories. Sharing that information over text or unencrypted emailโ€”standard practices in the industryโ€”is not only a violation of patient trust, itโ€™s an act that puts your license at risk.

Work/Life Balance
The groupโ€™s nurses have also taken advantage of Buzz video calling to teach and learn from each otherโ€”building new clinical skill sets. If a new hire is inexperienced with a particular form of wound care, for example, another team member can walk her through the process, answering questions and providing visual demos.

This level of collaboration also extends to logistics. Staff frequently use Buzz to see if other clinicians can cover shifts, leading to better work/life balance and lower burnout.

Caregivers leaving their agencies to work directly for other agencies or even patients, perhaps for steadier hours or higher pay, has long been an industry trend. According to a recent survey, this trend will pick up in 2023, and this is unfortunate news for agency owners. According to Higher Standards, fostering a sense of community makes caregivers want to stay.

Key Takeaways

  • Mobile communication platforms are highly efficient modes of information sharing that directly impact patient outcomes, rehospitalizations, staff turnover, and organizational costs.
  • Mobile communication platforms must be versatile in order to facilitate optimal cooperation and information.
  • Implementation of mobile technology should be organization-wide, from administrative staff to medical staff.
  • Technology can automate large swatchs of work, creating major time and cost savings.
  • Mobile communication can help organizations prepare for and adapt to changes in home health, becoming a powerful point of differentiation from peers.
  • When platform developrs and home health agencies work together to design new features, they make new modes of care possible.

 

Global Healthcare Organizations Choose Extreme to Deliver Best-in-Class Patient Care and Improve Operations

Extreme Networks, Inc., a leader in cloud networking, announced that several healthcare organizations across the globe have deployed Extreme solutions to provide secure, best-in-class patient care and improve operations across their facilities. Concord Hospital and Prima CARE in the US, West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust in the UK, Elisabeth TweeSteden Ziekenhuis (ETZ) in the Netherlands, Charitรฉ in Germany, ASST Mantova in Italy and the CHU Dijon Bourgogne in France chose Extreme to protect sensitive patient data, support bandwidth-intensive medical applications and devices and automate time-consuming processes.

Secure, reliable and high-performing connectivity is critical in healthcare settings, as new devices and applications are added to the network each day. Whether itโ€™s deploying an innovative medical application, extending telehealth services or meeting new operational requirements around billing and patient services, healthcare facilities need a high-performing, scalable and secure network to continue to deliver consistent and exceptional patient care.ย ExtremeCloudโ„ข IQย and Wi-Fi solutions help automate processes such as medication administration, patient monitoring and room assignments, and help reduce manual errors and improve efficiency across the facility.

Customer Highlights

  • Flexible Infrastructure Lowers Costs, Simplifies Integration: Concord Hospital, a not-for-profit regional health system in New Hampshire, needed to integrate two smaller regional hospitals into its network without sacrificing consistency of care or interrupting operations. Leveraging Extreme Wi-Fi 6 Access Points and Universal Switches, Concord Hospital was able to easily update its infrastructure across all three sites without a full rip and replace, providing a foundation to run best-in-class medical applications. Additionally, with Extreme Fabric Connect, the health system was able to securely automate the attachment of users and devices from the two smaller hospitals, without heavy IT involvement.
  • Seamless Cloud Management:ย Prima CARE, a growing multi-specialty group in Massachusetts, needed to upgrade its wireless network to keep up with patient and staff needs. With near-daily performance issues, staff couldnโ€™t consistently use devices like tablets when moving from room to room, and patients commonly had issues using their personal devices. With ExtremeCloud IQ, the sole network manager on staff can easily monitor network performance from a single application, make changes as necessary in real-time and more easily keep firmware updated. With staff and patients no longer reporting Wi-Fi issues or downtime, Prima CARE can add more devices and digital services that rely on the network, including increased video traffic and upgraded medical devices, and trust that its network will be able to support them.
  • Increased Security for Sensitive Data and Mission-Critical Devices:ย Healthcare organizations worldwide, including the CHU Dijon Bourgogne in France andย ASST Mantovaย in Italy, use Extreme Fabric Connect to better ensure security across their environments. Fabric Connect enables organizations to segment network traffic based on customizable criteria, such as device or user type. This helps to ensure patient safety, as in the event of a cyberattack, healthcare providers can more easily identify what part of their network is affected and isolate it to ensure other parts of the network are not impacted. This helps prevent lateral attacks and avoid unnecessary outages or hospital shutdowns.

Executive Perspectives

Mark Starry, Chief Technology Officer, Concord Hospital

โ€œWithout Extreme Universal Hardware, it would have been much more difficult to absorb and integrate two regional hospitals. And with Extreme Fabric Connect, we were able to complete the integration in a matter of weeks, versus years, without sacrificing uptime, security or a consistent flow of operations. Outdated technology holds so many organizations back from reaching their full potential. Extreme makes it simple to make those necessary upgrades without ripping out the entire ecosystem of hardware. Our patients and medical care professionals will greatly benefit from our new high-performing network. Applications will run more smoothly, doctors will be able to access information more quickly and patients will continue to receive best-in-class care.โ€

Andrew Smith, Head of Digital Service Delivery, West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

โ€œOur wireless network is the central nervous system of our operations โ€“ driving everything from access to patient records to blood pressure monitoring to advanced radiology applications and everything in between. With Wi-Fi 6E from Extreme managed through ExtremeCloud IQ, we can effectively manage devices and applications across our network, improve the quality of telehealth visits and benefit from faster transmission speeds for large data files such as MRI, radiography and ultrasounds. This will dramatically improve patient care and ultimately make our staff more productive, while making it easier for our IT staff to add new applications and evolve our technology strategy alongside medical advancements.โ€

Doug McDonald, Director, Extreme Alliance in the Office of the CTO, Extreme Networks

โ€œFor a healthcare provider, the network really is the lifeblood of the organization. Everything from workstations at patient check-in to medical devices that monitor patient vitals or tablets used for video calls is powered by the network. By providing an exceptional experience and automating time-consuming tasks, healthcare organizations can improve patient care, access critical information, improve operational efficiency and benefit from significant cost savings.

A Complete Guide To Aesthetic Gynecology

A Complete Guide To Aesthetic Gynecology

Many are familiar with the term’ gynecology.’ However, when this word comes after aesthetic, it becomes a totally different case. While many people have yet to understand what aesthetic gynecology entails, it continues to gain popularity among females looking forward to enhancing the appearance and sensation of their genitals.ย 

As time goes by, female genitals change following childbirth or age, resulting in what many women term an undesired appearance. These changes lead most women to go the extra mile to try and reverse them. Fortunately, doctors have invented surgical and non-surgical procedures to make female reproductive appear firmer, and experience increased sensationโ€”aesthetic gynecology.ย ย 

Suppose you’re considering aesthetic gynecology but need clarification on what it entails. You can click here or contact reputable professionals to know how to achieve your desired goal. Furthermore, you may continue reading to learn more about aesthetic gynecology!

What Is Aesthetic Gynecology?

The female reproductive organ evolves because of various reasons, including puberty, aging, childbirth, and menopause. Moreover, a woman’s lifestyle impacts the vagina’s appearance and functionalityโ€”some reasons why they opt for aesthetic gynecology.ย 

Aesthetic gynecology is a treatment used to help improve the genital’s appearance, functionality, and anatomy. The procedures can be surgical and non-surgical. They’re performed by trained gynecologists and plastic surgeons.ย ย 

Whether to undergo a surgical or non-surgical aesthetic treatment depends on your needs and the results you’re looking forward to.ย ย 

Is Aesthetic Gynecology A Medical Requirement?

In most cases, aesthetic gynecology isn’t a medical requirement. Women undergo these treatments out of their free will, for one reason or the other.ย 

However, a doctor can prescribe aesthetic gynecology for some reasons. Suppose a patient has experienced harm and burns around their genitalia. A doctor can advise her to undergo aesthetic gynecology to repair her reproductive system. So, this treatment is both a medical and nonmedical requirement.

Can Every Woman Undergo Aesthetic Gynecology?

Any woman with physical or psychological concerns with her vagina may undergo aesthetic gynecology. If you opt for such treatment, it’s advisable to learn the risks associated with your preferred procedure before signing in. ย 

Your doctor will also perform tests to determine if you have any underlying health conditions that can increase the risks should you undergo the treatment. Health conditions that might deter you from having aesthetic gynecology include diabetes, high blood pressure, and bleeding disorder.

Which Procedures Fall Under Aesthetic Gynecology?

Aesthetic gynecology is an umbrella term for several procedures. These procedures include the following:

1. Labiaplasty

The labia are the inner folds that cover the urinary and vaginal openings. The labia majora is the outer fold, while the labia minora is the inner fold. Moreover, the labia’s sizes may be uneven.ย ย 

In this case, a woman may have a labiaplasty procedure to alter the size of the labia. This surgery aims to enhance the labia appearance, reduce physical discomfort, or for gender-affirming purposes. During this procedure, your doctor will remove extra tissue from the labia to make them smaller, inject fillers to enlarge the labia or reconstruct the labia with tissue from other parts of your body.ย 

Other reasons for labiaplasty are the following:

  • The uneven shape of the labia minora and labia majoraย 
  • Discomfort when exercising, sitting, or wearing tight clothesย 
  • Discomfort and lack of confidence during intimate contactย 
  • Sustained labia tears during childbirthย 
  • Desire to achieve a youthful look after aging

Labiaplasty is commonly done through two techniques, trim and wedge labiaplasty. Your doctor will help you determine the ideal technique depending on your needs. The surgeon will use local anesthesia to decrease the discomfort during the procedure.

After the procedure, you’ll need up to five days to resume work. However, staying clear of exercise for about two to four weeks is advisable. After six to eight weeks, the scars might be strong enough to resume sexual activities.

It’s vital to mention that you’ll likely experience swelling and itchiness after labiaplasty. The swelling and itchiness are more prevalent on the second and third day following the surgery, after which the symptoms subside gradually.ย 

Having total bed rest and using ice packs to improve swelling in the first few days. Itchiness is expected during the healing process. Suppose it continues for a prolonged period and doesn’t improve. Consult your doctor to determine the reason.

2. Vaginoplasty

The vagina is a muscular tube from the outer body to the uterus. It is flexible and can accommodate sexual intercourse and childbirth. The latter can result in a loose vagina. If you prefer a firmer look, vaginoplasty can help.ย 

Vaginoplasty is a treatment that aims to repair and reconstruct the vagina if injuries are sustained or in case of vaginal-related diseases. That said, a woman can undergo this treatment out of their will or as a trained doctor prescribes it.ย 

Other reasons to undergo vaginoplasty are:

  • Childbirth injuries causing trauma
  • Those who have undergone gender-affirming procedures
  • Those with congenital issues interfering with vaginal development

The recovery period following a vaginoplasty might last from a few weeks to several months. The healing period and after-surgery care depend on the extent of the surgery. However, your surgeon will monitor you closely after the surgery to ensure you recover correctly. Therefore, itโ€™s vital to contact them whenever you experience excess bleeding, yellowish discharge, fever, excess pain which doesn’t subside even after using pain relievers, swelling in the groin or lower leg, and vomiting.

3. Hymenoplasty

The hymen is a small, soft tissue in the vaginal opening. Because itโ€™s soft and elastic, it can break or tear from activities like biking, gymnastics, or even inserting a tampon. A broken hymen may be a concern for those with cultural and religious beliefs.ย ย 

Regardless, if you want your hymen repaired, you may undergo hymenoplasty. While different techniques are used to achieve the desired results, the treatment primarily involves stitching the damaged edges. After the stitching, there are no visible scars, and the results are natural.

Hymenoplasty is done in a cosmetic clinic; the patient can go home the same day. The healing process might begin after ten days, with complete recovery taking up to three months.

4. Monsplasty

Mons pubis is an inverted triangle-shaped made up of fatty tissue located over the pubic bone. It extends from the pubic hairline to the genitals.ย 

There are various causes of pain in the mons pubis, like Symphysis pubis dysfunction or bumps, but not all require surgery. However, if you want your mons pubis to look a certain way, it’s best to consult professionals for monsplasty.ย ย 

This cosmetic procedure extracts sagging skin and extra fatty tissue from mon pubis. Moreover, it’s an ideal treatment for those who experience challenges urinating or having sexual intercourse because of a large mons pubis.ย ย 

In addition, if you’ve undergone abdominoplasty and liposuction, your mons pubis will be more noticeable. Therefore, your doctor may advise you to undergo a monsplasty to lift and reshape that area.ย 

During the procedure, your surgeon will use local anesthesia consisting of oral sedation depending on the tissues requiring removal. The risks associated with monsplasty include scarring, bleeding, and infection. Recovering from the procedure might take up to two weeks. Depending on the treatment, doctors advise abstaining from physical activities for two to six weeks.ย 

5. Hoodectomy

A clitoral hood is the skin fold that covers the clitoris. The clitoris has several nerve endings making it extremely sensitive. Hence, the clitoral hood plays a crucial role.ย 

However, if it causes irritation, you may need to undergo hoodectomy. This is a cosmetic surgery that reduces the clitoral hoods by extracting excess tissue from the skin protecting the clitoris.ย 

Other reasons for hoodectomy are the following:

  • Correct damage sustained during childbirth
  • Enhance your genitalia
  • Expose the clitoris to enhance sexual pleasure
  • Reduce irritation when wearing tight-fitting clothes

Hoodectomy is performed by trained and experienced plastic, cosmetic, and gynecologic surgeons. The procedure requires the use of local anesthesia to reduce discomfort. The procedure doesn’t take long and might last for only one hour. Your healthcare provider will allow you to go home on the same day.

After the surgery, you’ll experience mild pain and swelling, and your doctor might require you to take a week’s break from work. You should also avoid participating in physical activities for quite a while to avoid interfering with the healing process, which might last up to six weeks.

Complications Associated With Aesthetic Gynecology

Every surgical procedure, including aesthetic gynecology, has risk factors. However, surgeons do their best to prevent any complications. Below are among the most common complications related to aesthetic gynecology:ย 

  • Bleeding
  • Swelling
  • Infection
  • Adhesions
  • Scarring
  • Interfered sensation
  • Need for reoperation

Before signing up for a particular cosmetic gynecology procedure, you should research thoroughly to understand the risks associated with your preferred treatment.

Advantages Of Aesthetic Gynecology

Aesthetic gynecology goes beyond beautification. This is because it can impact women’s physical, psychological, and reproductive health.ย ย 

That said, consider the following benefits if you’re planning for cosmetic surgery:

  • It provides an even skin tone in the vaginal regionย 
  • It improves clitoral function
  • It increases sensation and stimulation
  • It repairs the damage to the vagina
  • It can also help maintain the private regionโ€™s health and firmness

Ultimately, when a person feels comfortable in their body, they may become happier and develop more confidence.

How To Prepare For Aesthetic Gynecology

While aesthetic gynecology treatments aren’t high-risk operations compared to other surgeries, itโ€™s essential to prepare for your preferred treatment.ย 

If you’re sure of what to do and prepare, here are some ways to help you get ready:

  • Do Thorough Research

As stated above, aesthetic gynecology is an umbrella term sheltering different procedures. That said, itโ€™s crucial to determine the treatment you need and enlighten yourself about it as much as possible. With adequate information about a certain surgery, you can only understand if it provides the results you’re looking for before doing the procedure.

  • Understand The Results

What are the results you’re looking for? Why do you want to get these results? Every aesthetic gynecology procedure comes with different results. Some of the results are permanent, and others are temporary.ย 

It’s essential that the procedure and its result are your desire. Otherwise, if you’re doing the treatment out of pressure, you may need help to prepare for it and eventually regret your choice.

  • Research A Good Facility

You don’t want to be treated in a facility that can increase the risks of developing complications. Thus, it would be best if you researched an excellent facility with reputable surgeons to ensure you get the right attention. Remember, you’re dealing with your genitals and wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to them in the name of enhancing appearance and activity.

  • Prepare The Funds

Aesthetic gynecology isn’t among the cheapest procedures. Hence, itโ€™s vital to prepare the funds to avoid disappointments. If possible, consult your preferred surgeon considering the cost to prepare beforehand.

  • Look For Assistance

Before surgery, it’s vital to seek assistance from a loved one. You might not be able to drive right after the surgery, and you’ll also need someone to help with chores before you get well. Find someone who’ll be there for you during the treatment and recovery to avoid interfering with the treated area.

The person you choose shouldn’t be judgmental. While aesthetic gynecology is gaining popularity, not everyone has welcomed it with open hands. Being around people who judge your decision to undergo aesthetic gynecology can increase your stress levels and slow the healing process.

Conclusion

Women’s bodies are amazing! However, natural occurrences like childbirth and age can change their appearance. When this happens, you may wonder how you can reverse the changes in your body to regain a younger look.

Fortunately, doctors have developed ways for women to repair and reconstruct genitalia and regain self-esteem. Aesthetic gynecology helps reconstruct female genitalia to desired shape and size.ย 

However, for these procedures to succeed, you must work with a reputable plastic, gynecology, or cosmetic surgeon. You should also ensure your preferred surgeon is trained and experienced in the procedure you need to avoid complications.

2022 Summer Heatwave Caused UK Hospitals To Cancel Surgeries

A recent study has put forth the picture that the summer heatwave of 2022 resulted in a fifth of UK hospitals being compelled to cancel surgeries during the three days when the temperatures went up alarmingly. These findings were published in the letter to British Journal of Surgery with the research being supported by National Institute of Health Research, Global Health Research Unit Grant as well as the GreenSurg Collaborative which happens to be led by the University of Birmingham researchers.

The findings state that had the temperature surge continued, a further third of hospitals would have had to cancel surgeries. This is because the NHS infrastructure does not have the capacity to withstand dangerously high temperatures. The study team surveyed surgeons, anaesthetists as well as critical care doctors who worked between the heatwave of 16th and 19th July last year. The research went on to receive 271 responses from across 140 UK hospitals, with one in every five respondents, i.e., approximately 18.5%, stating that the heatwave did result in the elective surgery getting cancelled.ย  More than a third, i.e., 35.1%, suggested that had the heatwave continued, the cancellations would have been even more likely to take place.

The elements that contributed to heatwave-related cancellations included a shortage of staff, with 35.8% of respondents agreeing, unsafe operating room environments at 30.3%, as well as bed shortages at 22.1%.

Surgical devices were poorly prepared for heatwaves, with ambient temperatures being uncontrollable across 41% of the operating rooms.

Most of the hospitals that respondedโ€”in fact 85% of themโ€”did not have the summer pressure plans so as to maintain elective surgical safety as well as capacity. More than a third of the respondentsโ€”35.4% to be preciseโ€”reported making adaptations so as to maintain the routine surgical procedure throughout the heatwave.

The co-author of the study, Mr. James Glasbey, who happens to be an NIHR Doctoral Research Fellow- Global Surgery at the University of Birmingham, said that even short heat waves are likely to result in the widespread disruption of surgical services across the UK. The likelihood of extreme weather events in the country is indeed growing, and no wonder one could find themselves squeezed between both a winter and a summer stress situation in the coming years. As hospitals go on to tackle COVID surgery backlogs, they must also consider how to safeguard themselves against further climate change-related challenges when it comes to the delivery of surgical services.

This ought to be included when it comes to the preparation of summer pressure plans so as to enhance the elective surgery services resilience.

The researchers further discovered that the hospitals went on to adopt numerous strategies all throughout the heatwave to mitigate the impact of rising temperatures among surgical patients. These strategies included delaying the discharge of high-risk patients, changing the surgical team, picking low-risk patients when it came to having surgery, and restricting surgical activity to day scenarios.

Apparently, there were certain hospitals that went on to introduce stretched staff breaks, give extra fluids to admitted patients, and even begin surgeries early in the morning when the temperatures were lower.

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