4 Types of Weighing Scales In Hospitals

 

types of weighing scales in hospitals such as Baby Scales

Solent Scales have long supplied vital weighing equipment to healthcare providers; machinery that makes a real difference to patients’ lives.

Due to the sensitive nature of work conducted by medical organisations, including the NHS, achieving high levels of weighing accuracy is essential. Such readings can lead to successful operations, diagnosis and other critical services.

There are a large number of medical applications which require the use of high grade weighing equipment. These range from obtaining vital statistics for patients to measuring the weight of organs in preparation for upcoming transplant surgery.

The accuracy and cleanliness of the scales deployed has never been more important than right now, with the deadly Coronavirus nearing its peak.

The following is an introduction to 4 Types of Weighing Scales In Hospitals and the medical industry, some of which are playing a key role in the fight against COVID-19:

1. Theatre, Swab and Mortuary Scales

Many medical professionals utilise one or more of the three scale types above on a regular basis to weigh a variety of medical instruments and items required in surgery.

Organs need to be weighed at various stages in hospitals and private medical establishments for both preparative work before surgery and for analytical purposes in mortuaries.

Furthermore, the measuring of swab weight allows doctors to precisely analyse and compare samples taken from patients in addition to other key metrics used to identify biological characteristics and precursors for potential diseases.

Working with organic matter requires these scales to be cleaned regularly in order to prevent the spread of illnesses including MRSA and, as a result, many feature stainless steel top plates which facilitate easy cleaning and maintenance compared with other materials.

View Theatre, Swab and Mortuary Scales

2. Bed Weighing Scales

These specialised scales are designed to be used with patients who are unable to be removed from their bed due to their current state of health. This is a number rising alarmingly with confirmed cases of Coronavirus.

Bed weighing scales provide a simple yet very effective solution to this problem through the inclusion of four evenly sized weighing modules which can be easily inserted under each of the four bed legs.

To avoid excess disruption to the bed-bound patient and to protect the person using these scales, an accompanying jack is often included to help in elevating one side of the frame for easy installation of the modules.

In addition, the inclusion of a jack allows the scales to be safely operated by just one person without the need for assistance or potentially dangerous lifting manoeuvres.

This helps to increase productivity in health organisations and simultaneously decreases the overall time required for patients to be examined.

Bed weighing scales are particularly effective for frail patients, the elderly, as well as anyone who has recently undergone intensive surgery.

They are also being called upon during the Coronavirus epidemic, as doctors and nurses on the frontline tend to those worse effected. As the world awaits a much needed vaccine, other courses of medication are being prescribed on a case-by-case basis. Which medicine to administer is often dictated by someone’s weight, amongst other symptoms.

Bed scales will be used to weigh patients upon arrival and throughout the course of their hospitalisation. These all-important readings will often inform what happens next.

View Bed Weighing Scales

3. Flat Scales

Conversely, flat scales are ideal for more general uses and are similar to scales commonly found in households and other domestic areas.

These simple scales provide a convenient, cost effective and portable solution for general weighing procedures in medical applications and can be placed in tightly packed rooms as well as being stored with a very small foot print.

In addition, mobile health units can benefit greatly from the relatively low mass and in-built display screen which allows quick and accurate measurements to be taken on one single machine without the need for additional attachments or accessories.

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4. Baby Scales

The weight of a newly born baby is an important measurement for midwives and doctors as it can provide an insight into possible health defects which may be present or imminent.

As a result, various manufacturers produce highly accurate and versatile baby scales which not only provide precise measurements, but also include accommodating features such as detachable trays.

Many of these also double as effective scales for weighing small children and, due to their compact size, can be easily transported as well as being used in both the home and surgery environments.

Pregnant women may shudder at the prospect of giving birth during the height of the Coronavirus. Thankfully baby scales can help maternity wards keep both mother and child safe.

These models include buttons integrated into the display itself, reducing the chance of dirt and germs spreading or becoming clogged up in the apparatus. This is never more useful than at a time where social distancing is being encouraged.

Furthermore many baby scales come with special trays that are far easier to wipe down without contamination or the mixing of fluids.

View Baby Scales

The above examples are just four of the many different types of weighing equipment used in the medical industry, with many others seeing use in organisations across the world.

Due to the requirements for extremely high accuracy and ease of use with patients who have challenging health conditions, medical weighing equipment needs to be not only precise but also facilitative of the ongoing care being provided.

They also need to be easily cleaned, particularly at a time like this.

Solent Scales are a leading provider of industrial weighing products and services including supply, service, calibration and repair.

 

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