Best thing since sliced bread!

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I love some of the new gadgets healthcare has -- plastic IV bags, bed alarms on the beds, beds that turn into chairs.

But the best thing since sliced bread for me (so far) has been the Pyxis system. I really think it's helped cut down on med errors tremendously.

What healthcare improvement is the best thing since sliced bread to you?

Specializes in private duty/home health, med/surg.

I like the new Flexi-Seals, too! The first time I assessed a patient with one of these, she must have thought I was crazy because I was just raving to her and her husband about how great it was working. I had gotten in report that she had a "rectal tube--but this one really works and you don't have to deflate it!" I was very skeptical about it until I actually saw it working.

Good job, Flexi Seal people! :yeah:

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Oh man...

IV, PCA, epidural pumps. Unit dosing and premixed abx/IVF; pharmacy responsible for admixtures and chemo. Disposable bedpans, urinals, etc. Portacaths. Wall suction (anyone remember gomcos and glass CT bottles??). Wound-vacs, improved ostomy and skin care. Computer charting and EMAR, barcoded administration. Zofran :)

Isolation standards and PPE (being taught in school that using gloves while doing any patient care is "degrading"... and how to wrap a washcloth into a mitt over our bare hands to do peri- and incontinent-care, this is pretty significant to me)

I'm sure I'll think of more...

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Specializes in Nursing assistant.

http://www.medplususa.com/list-product_info-p-ConvaTec_Flexi_Seal_Fecal_Management_System_FMS_Kit-pid-5346.html

Flexi-Seal® FMS is a temporary containment device, indicated for bedridden or immobilized, incontinent patients with liquid or semi-liquid stool.

It was designed to safely and effectively divert fecal matter, protect patients' wounds from fecal contamination and reduce both the risk of skin breakdown and spread of infection.

This easy-to-use system provides an excellent alternative to traditional methods of managing fecal incontinence such as pads, diapers, fecal pouches, and rectal tubes.

Flexi-Seal® FMS consists of a silicone catheter, syringe, and collection bag.

At one end, the soft silicone catheter has a retention balloon that is inserted into the rectum. At the opposite end, the catheter has a connector for attaching the collection bag.

:up:

Get me one of these!

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

Beds that rotate the pt and do chest PT. These have been a huge back saver.

Edited to add that along with Emmanuel I think PCA pumps are awesome. Also computerized charting. We are going to computerized flow sheets in April and cannot wait. No more totaling I&O's, VS download from the monitor and vent. Eventually from the IV pumps. We also have computerized nurse care plans. Thank God no more writing out those.

I also agree with the flexi seal fecal management system being awesome although they cost a lot of $$$.

IV pumps have been a godsend. Especially the collegue guradian pumps that help figure out drip rates.

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

I also agree with the flexi seal fecal management system being awesome although they cost a lot of $$$.

But not as much as wound care for the decubs that start as a result of constant liquid stool, I'll bet! :)

I love 'em too.

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tympanic thermometers:up: working on a medical chest unit a lot of these pts stuggled with the oral ones at it tookc so long.

Dinamaps to especialy if like me you dropped the old mercury filled ones and had to clear up the mess

surgical tape a god send i hated safety pins

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Emesis BAGS!!:) That replaced the emesis basin! They have a rigid plastic ring a little larger than a persons mouth, with a long plastic bag - and they're totally disposable.:yeah:

They fold compactly in a drawer, and the patients can hold on to them themselves.

Before we got those, when I worked in post-anesthesia, I don't know how many times my hands got bathed in emesis as I held one of those crappy little basins for someone.

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Sweetease, the nectar of the gods! :D

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

Dial-a-flow tubing (we always run out of pumps)

Carts on wheels (AUTOMATED MEDICATION-DISPENSING CART)--- I love how you scan the pts id band and scan the medication to be given. As long as the nurse verifies the patient and the MAR before passing meds this device can GREATLY decrease medication errors. I:heartbeat this.

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I thought I posted to this thread, but I can't find it...anywhooo

Although it hasn't caught on nationwide, yet, I think the novel concept of safe staffing with maximum nurse-to-patient ratios is the best thing since sliced bread.

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i can't believe this hasn't been mentioned, and i'm sure it's on another thread, but to me the greatest thing ever (along with everything else mentioned) is

in-line suction!!!!!

after spending an entire day donning sterile gloves to suction a trach pt. -- i did a rotation in micu on a pt. with in-line. it was heaven.:D

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defibrilators.. hehe (jolt them back to life)

gloves :)

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