LINET UK’s Post

Dialyzing Outdoors: Misguided Messaging and Infection Control Concerns It’s one thing to promote patient freedom and flexibility in the use of #dialysis equipment, but it’s another to encourage potentially dangerous practices without providing proper guidelines. While the idea of dialyzing outdoors sounds liberating, the promotion of this practice by NxStage Medical, Inc. without adequate context and disclosures is irresponsible and misleading. It overlooks the critical infection control measures that are essential for dialysis patients, many of whom are immunocompromised and highly susceptible to infections. FACT: dialysis is not just about setting up a machine and getting treatment wherever you please. The environment in which dialysis occurs must be as controlled and clean as possible. Suggesting that a patient can dialyze on a deck, surrounded by wind, dust, insects, and pollen, sends a reckless message. Dialysis patients and their care partners must be properly educated on the significant risks of exposure to airborne contaminants, which can easily disrupt the sterile field required for a safe dialysis session. The very essence of extracorporeal dialysis is to ensure that the blood and the dialysis setup remain protected from environmental pathogens. Though the dialysis circuit is "closed" during treatment, it is not impermeable to contamination during setup, connection, or disconnection, especially when in an uncontrolled, outdoor environment. Encouraging patients to dialyze in such conditions is like gambling with their health—a gamble that could lead to infections, equipment contamination, and ultimately compromise patient outcomes. To those who support this outdoor practice: while it’s understandable to want flexibility in managing your treatment, it's essential to recognize the dangers of dialyzing in an unregulated environment. Promoting this behavior without highlighting the potential risks dismisses years of infection control research and clinical experience that have carefully defined what is and isn’t safe for dialysis patients. promoting outdoor dialysis without a clear, detailed disclaimer or guidance on how to safely do so is a failure in corporate social responsibility. Your social media posts have a broad reach, and with that comes a duty to inform patients accurately and safely. It’s not enough to show the image of freedom without addressing the practical and clinical realities. Misinformation about dialysis safety protocols not only sets a dangerous precedent but undermines the work of professionals who have dedicated their careers to setting those safety standards. The message being sent right now is dangerously oversimplified: that #dialysis can happen “anywhere” as long as the machine is set up. This is misguided. Infection control and sterile procedures are paramount in dialysis care—period.

Today, I sent a firm email to the President of Fresenius Medical Care and NxStage Medical, Inc., Andy Pate and Joe Turk, addressing the very real issues plaguing the renal care industry. It’s no secret that the posts coming from NxStage Medical, Inc.’s social media team show a lack of responsible corporate oversight. Encouraging risky practices like outdoor #dialysis without providing the full context of #infectioncontrol is not only misleading but also downright dangerous to the patients who rely on this information. It’s high time that the leadership in these companies steps up and acknowledges the impact their messages have on real people. What’s more frustrating is the blatant lack of accountability and transparency from the top. These aren’t isolated missteps; they are systemic issues stemming from a culture that lacks corporate social responsibility. And while leadership enjoys generous salaries, bonuses, and stock packages, they fail to address legitimate patient concerns publicly, ignoring the voices of those whose well-being they are supposedly dedicated to. This isn’t just a complaint about one social media post—this is about years of silence, inaction, and disregard for the very people they claim to serve. When you visit their websites, it’s all glossy branding and corporate jargon, portraying a “commitment” to improving care and innovation. But we know this is smoke and mirrors—a PR façade that hides the reality of poor patient care, oversight lapses, and failed communication strategies. What patients need isn’t more platitudes about “advancing care” and “empowering communities”; they need tangible, responsible action from leaders who are willing to be transparent and take accountability for their words and actions. This is not about being bitter. Let me be crystal clear—this is about the safety of the patients and the communities that depend on responsible #advocacy (National Kidney Foundation). It's about ensuring that #renalcare is not just a profitable business but a field that genuinely seeks to improve lives without putting them at risk. These concerns deserve more than silence. They deserve acknowledgment, action, and real change from those in leadership who have the power to make a difference. Let’s hope that, finally, the message gets through.

_The Power of Tilting Tables in Rehabilitation_ As a physical therapists ,we’re constantly seeking innovative ways to improve patient outcomes. One often overlooked tool is the tilting table! Tilting tables offer numerous benefits for patients with spinal cord injuries, stroke, and other conditions, including: - Improved circulation and reduced pressure sores - Enhanced respiratory function and increased lung capacity - Increased mobility and range of motion - Strengthening of muscles and bones - Boosted confidence and independence By incorporating tilting tables into rehabilitation programs, we can: - Enhance patient recovery and outcomes - Reduce healthcare costs and complications - Improve overall quality of life Let's harness the potential of tilting tables to transform patient care! #PhysicalTherapy #Rehabilitation #TiltingTable #HealthcareInnovation #PatientOutcomes #MobilityMatters

Evergreen surfaces, like the OpalAir, make the lives of caregivers and clinicians easier with smart features designed for comfort, wound healing, and ease of use. We are now booking in-services and educational sessions across Canada through Fall 2024. OpalAir Testimonial from Jia, LTC OT for Fraser Health “We had a resident with advanced dementia and a Stage 3 coccyx pressure injury that was not healing. After switching to the OpalAir, the wound showed significant improvement within just a few weeks and is now fully healed. The OpalAir surface was easy for our clinicians to use and has proven to be a reliable solution in long-term care". #WoundCare #LongTermCare #PressureInjuryPrevention

Evergreen surfaces, like the OpalAir, make the lives of caregivers and clinicians easier with smart features designed for comfort, wound healing, and ease of use. We are now booking in-services and educational sessions across Canada through Fall 2024. OpalAir Testimonial from Jia, LTC OT for Fraser Health “We had a resident with advanced dementia and a Stage 3 coccyx pressure injury that was not healing. After switching to the OpalAir, the wound showed significant improvement within just a few weeks and is now fully healed. The OpalAir surface was easy for our clinicians to use and has proven to be a reliable solution in long-term care." #WoundCare #LongTermCare #PressureInjuryPrevention

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐲. Improper seating can lead to: -Increased risk of injury for both patient and caregiver -Limitations on mobility and independence -Extended hospital stays and higher risk of pressure ulcers After connecting with caregivers worldwide, we saw a clear need for better solutions for plus size patients with low mobility. We knew this chair needed to be: -User-friendly -Easily moved -Designed to honour the dignity of every individual 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫? 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜. The Sorrento Bariatric is purpose-built to: -Improve mobility for smoother transfers and early mobilisation -Minimise injury risk for both patients and caregivers -Shorten hospital stays with supportive, tailored design -Accommodate unique body proportions comfortably and safely -Encourage independence, enhancing functional ability and mental well-being -Optimise pressure redistribution, reducing risk of pressure injuries 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫. 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐚 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝, 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭-𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞. Discover more: https://bit.ly/40rUU5I

I frequently get referrals for Post Fall Rehab or Dizziness to clinic. Reading this article was an eye opener for me. Surprisingly, 1/4 patients (26%) with positive BPPV findings reported NO symptoms of dizziness. Take home messages: - Standardize BPPV testing as part of your fall screening tests. - Treat untreated and undiagnosed BPPV. - BPPV can be present and puts the patient at a higher risk of falling, regardless of patient subjective report of dizziness. - Testing should include all three semicircular canals. #vestibular #vestibularrehabilitation #BPPV #vestibularrehab #BPPV #falls #healthcare #physiotherapy #balance #fallprevention

🌟 Importance of Repositioning Critically Ill Patients to Prevent Pressure Injuries 🌟 As a global healthcare technology provider, we understand the critical need to prevent pressure injuries among patients, especially those who are at high to very hight risk of developing pressure injuries. Recent updates from the NPIAP underscore the importance of frequent patient repositioning at 30 degrees, a shift from traditional 90-degree repositioning methods. At Wellell Inc., we're proud to introduce Optima Turn, a clinically proven solution designed to effectively prevent pressure injuries associated with extrinsic factors. Our innovative support surface not only prevents PIs but also enhances healing outcomes. One of the most significant benefits of Optima Turn is its impact on caregivers. By streamlining the patient repositioning process, Optima Turn facilitates workflow efficiency, reducing the risk of work-related injuries among caregivers. Explore more about Optima Turn and how it can transform patient care and caregiver safety: https://lnkd.in/evzNmuDU #HealthcareInnovation #PressureInjuryPrevention #CaregiverWellbeing #OptimaTurn #BeWell_LiveWell #Wellell

One of the most crucial skills to have as a health Care Provider in terms of the Reapiration Therapy & Advanced Cardiac Life Support is to be able to intubate a patient , connect a patient to a Ventilator and choose the right prameters and ventilation modes which best suits the condition of the patient. Being able to determine all of these parameter flawlessly… could always help save countless lives. #Respiration_Therapy #Medical_Simulation #Saving_lives #ACLS