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What are the Benefits of the ROHO Hybrid Elite? ROHO Hybrid Elite combines the soft tissue protection that you would expect from a ROHO Dry Floatation cushion and the stability you would expect from a foam cushion. ROHO air cushions combine shape fitting technology and pressure sore protection to give you critical pressure redistribution around the pelvis area. The added stability of the foam core of the Hybrid Elite gives you greater balance and firmer positioning. The ROHO Hybrid Elite is adjustable to the shape and weight of your pelvic loading area.

Ostomy Awareness Day is on Saturday, October 7th this year. I love the theme they have chosen, "Navigate the Journey Together". This is an excellent reminder to everyone who has an ostomy, whether it is an ileostomy, urostomy, colostomy, or any and all ostomies, you are not alone. There are so many people who have an ostomy, there is no reason to feel isolated! United Ostomy Associations of America is a wonderful group that provides ostomy education and support. They help people live their best life before, during, and after ostomy surgery. In my time working with Express Medical Supply, an online medical supply company, I have had the honor to talk to many ostomates. It is a source of joy when I can help them find the ostomy appliance that helps their skin feel better or the ostomy accessories that helps them increase their wear time. The best part though, is when I can tell them that they are not alone, that there are people who have ostomies out in the world. I can honestly assure them this is a fact because I spend most of my time at work helping people who have an ostomy.

Where is the Sacrum Area of the Body? The sacrum area of the body refers to the area just above what is commonly referred to as the "tailbone", this bony area is prone to pressure wounds. Anytime you have an area of the body with the underlying bones close to the surface of the skin you run the risk of developing a pressure sore in that area. Heels, elbows, sacrum, tailbone, etc. Pressure sores are difficult to treat because in order for treatment to be successful the pressure on the area must be relieved. If the area in question is your tailbone, it is difficult to remove pressure because anytime you sit or lay on your back you are adding pressure to the area. If you are recovering from illness or if you are using a wheelchair due to a spinal injury you will be seated or laying down often.

When kids head back to school they bring home more than homework! They bring back lots of germs. Those germs wreak havoc on immune systems and cause runny noses, coughs, colds, and flu. If germs are the villain then who is our hero? How can we stop the nefarious germs from beating down our immune systems?? There is a super power that we all have and that super power is, proper hand washing! Hand washing is one of the best ways to keep yourself healthy and to minimize your exposure to the germs that can make you sick. When your kids and teens go to school and bring home germs hand washing can help keep everyone in your home healthy. Teach everyone in your home to wash their hands the right way and to wash their hands at the right times.

Silvasorb is a controlled-release antimicrobial silver hydrogel. What that means is that Silvasorb is a gel that spreads easily and continuously releases silver. Depending on the wound, Silvasorb will work for three days before bandages need to be replaced. The dressing should not remain in place for longer than 3 days. Always consult your doctor when it comes to the frequency of your bandage changes. Silvasorb works by a sustained release of silver which helps to heal chronic wounds and helps to reduce infection. When Silvasorb gel is used properly it helps to reduce the amount of infectious bacteria that is present in and immediately around the wound. The Silvasorb gel also helps to keep the wound moist which promotes an optimal wound healing environment. Silvasorb is a great choice for healing wounds because it is biocompatble, non-irritating, and it will not harm the tender and delicate new tissue, called "granulation tissue".

Coloplast Brava protective seals help to seal the gaps that occur between the ostomy barrier and your stoma. The skin surrounding your stoma can come into contact with output and that causes skin irritation and damage. The stomal skin needs to be protected from output and irritation from adhesive. Coloplast Ostomy has created a material, a whole new formula of polymer to make their Brava protective barrier seals work even if you have aggressive output. The protective seals will not fall apart or break down when it comes into contact with output. They are specifically designed for ileostomy, however, they can also be used

How do you find wheelchair gloves designed especially for wheelchair users? This is a question we get asked a lot. Many companies sell winter gloves or climbing/biking gloves and just call them wheelchair gloves. Even a thick winter glove is not the same thing as a glove specifically designed for wheelchair users. So what does a wheelchair glove have that most other gloves don't? The most important difference is that wheelchair gloves have reinforced palms. The palms of your hands come into direct contact with the wheels of your chair so they will suffer the most wear and tear. The padding helps keep your hands safe and comfortable. The reinforced palm also helps the entire glove last longer. So, how do you find wheelchair gloves for wheelchair users? Online medical supply companies that sell gloves that are specifically labeled as "wheelchair gloves" are a great place to start. Even when it is warm outside you will need gloves that protect your palms from shear. What is shear? Shear is when your skin comes into

What are Texas Style Condom Catheters? Texas style catheters are constructed of three pieces. The latex sheath is worn over the head and shaft of the penis and feels more like a condom because it is thinner than the silicone external condom catheters. The latex sheath is connected to rigid white silicone tubing, this is where the urine is drained and it is connected to a catheter insert. These three pieces make up the Texas style catheter: sheath, white silicone tubing, and catheter insert. Texas style catheters are made of natural rubber latex and should not be used by anyone with a latex allergy.

Hollister Ostomy Solutions for Odor Control Hollister has a complete line of ostomy supplies, they offer one piece and two piece ostomy systems, rings and seals, and many different ostomy accessories. I have discussed the new Cera Plus products that Hollister has made and how they help with skin care. Cera Plus is such a great solution for helping your skin stay healthy that I realized I have neglected the other things that Hollister does well. Hollister Ostomy has two products that work to control odors associated with ostomy output.

Do I Need T.E.D. Anti-Embolism Stockings? You should wear anti-embolism stockings when you are recovering from surgery, a long illness, or otherwise confined to bed. Anti-embolism stockings are not meant to be worn while you are walking around or going about your day normally. The word that is used most often is "ambulatory" or "non-ambulatory". Ambulatory is when you are able to get up and walk around and non-ambulatory would be the opposite. Anti-embolism stockings have a different kind of compression structure, the compression changes as the stocking moves up the leg. This style of compression is best suited for non-ambulatory usage. For the best results, you should not use them when you are going to work or able to freely walk around your home.