Health accessories

Health accessories: are the items, the uses of which improve the patient quality of life and
provides them maximum physical independence.
Health accessories include
1. CONVALESCENT AIDS
2. ORTHOPAEDIC BRACES
3. HOME DIAGNOSTIC AIDS
4. DRESSING AND FIRST AID

1. CONVALESCENT AIDS
Convalescent mean Gradual return to health and strength after illness
These include
A- Ambulatory aids
B- Hospital beds
C- Patients lifters
A- Ambulatory aids mean relating to or adapted for walking. A device designed to assist
walking or otherwise improve the mobility of people with mobility impairment.
Ambulatory aids include

a) Walking Canes b) Walker c) Crutches d) Wheel chairs

a) Walking canes
are very simple and light weighed devices that serve two important functions such as weight
transfer and balance.
A cane provides a means to transfer weight off the weak limb of patient.
The use of walking cane provides a balance by providing adjusting the center of gravity forward

Types of walking canes

The canes may be made up of wooden or metallic. Wooden canes made for male are typically
heavier than those made for females.

b) Walker
A walker or walking frame is a tool for disabled or elderly people who need additional support to
maintain balance or stability while walking.

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Types of walkers
i) Non-wheeled walker has four widely placed legs.
ii) Wheeled walker, also called a rollator walker made up of steel has wheels with multi-braking
system and variable wheel resistant. This walker has adjustability to control the ambulatory gait
of the user.
Uses of walker Recommended for the patients who more support than a cane need but have
reasonably good arms, hand and wrist function.

c) Crutches: are the device used generally by the patients with temporary disabilities e.g.
fractured or by patient who require more support than a cane.
Types of crutches
i) Forearm crutch ii) Axillary crutch iii) Quad crutch
i) Forearm crutch also called Canadian crutch supports patient’s wrists and elbows, attaching to
the fleshy part of the forearm by a collar or cuff. It is used by patients who need crutches on long
term basis. It should be on the side opposite the weak leg.
ii) Axillary crutch It is usually made of wooden or aluminium. Under arm commonly used
crutch and provides more support than the forearm crutch since it braces both wrist and elbow.
iii) Quad crutch is a forearm crutch with a quadrangular (four sided) base attached to the main
shaft.
d) Wheel chair
It is used for weak and infirm patient and elder people having less strength. It promotes the
patient maximal physical independence
The following option should be considered when selecting a wheelchair
• Seat size
• Wheelchair dimensions
Types of wheel chairs
i) Manual wheel chair
A wheelchair is widely used and the user runs this wheelchair with his arms.
ii) Electric wheelchair
A battery operated wheelchair, also called battery operated wheel is costly and used for people
cannot move but need more mobility or the user with week arms.

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B- Hospital Beds
a) Mattress
Polyforms mattresses are excellent for hospital beds. A mattress should be covered by plastic
impregnated mattress ticking and its well to provide plastic mattress covers.
b) Bed side safety rails
The bed side safety rails are the safety device that prevents the patient from falling out of bed.
c) Trapeze
The trapeze bars are over bed bars used as an assist in sitting up and getting into and out of bed.
d) Bed cushions
Support the patient legs to achieve muscle flexion. Protect the patient from bruises and
occurrence of pressure sores
C- Patient lifters
The patient lifters are used to transfer a patient on bed, chair, or to commode. These lifters are
either hydraulic or screw-type.
2. ORTHOPAEDIC BRACES

a) Cervical collars are used to provide support or limit the range of motion of neck. These may
be soft or of foam for a mild support and stability to neck.
b) Shoulder immobilizer It keep shoulder and arm still. They are used for separation
dislocations, and injury to the shoulder area.
c) Clavicle support (also called figure eight straps because of their appearance) are used as aids
for the reduction and stabilization of clavicle fractures
d) Tennis elbow applies pressure to inflamed forearm muscle to provide support and cushions to
those with tennis elbow.
e) Wrist braces are used to reduce motion and to protect and stabilize wrist from sprains and
strains.

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3. HOME DIAGNOSTIC AIDS

a) Thermometers: oral, rectal and electric

b) Pregnancy test kit detects the presence of human chorionic gonado tropin (hCG) in urine.
c) Blood Glucose test kit monitors the glucose levels of the diabetic patient. A drop of blood is
first placed on the strip and then just inserted in glucose monitor for measurement.
d) Urine glucose test kit includes such product as benedict’s solution, tablets, and usually test
strips.
e) Ketone test kit helps in detecting the presence of ketone in diabetic patients. Urine as an
indication of glucose control.
f) Blood pressure measuring devices
Mercury model this model is the most accurate and does not require calibration. It is generally
more expensive and requires the use of stethoscope.
Digital model these models are the easiest to operate and they do not require stethoscope.
4. DRESSING AND FIRST AID
First aid components
Hot water bottles is for applying dry heat.it is made of rubber, hot water bottle has an opening
through which warm water is added and stopper securely sealed with a washer. Pharmacist must
instruct that bare rubber should never be allowed to come in contact with the
Electric heating pad The advantages of electric heating pad over the hot water bottle include no
possibility of leaking and precisely control over temperature.
Moist-heat packs It contains bead which become hydrated in boiling water and combine into a
gelatinous which has the unique property of holding its temperature for longer time.
Ice cap is a reusable instrument of application of cold it is usually a circular rubber or rubberized
mackintosh cloth bag.
Instant hot/cold packs Based on chemical reaction is either endothermic producing cold, or
exothermic producing heat .they maintain heat or cold for 30 minutes.