Product Solutions

Bath Safety

Providing bath safety involves addressing a number of very different and distinct patient requirements and considerations.

• By Cindy Horbrook
• May 01, 2010

Bath safety is a critical concern given that more than 80 percent of home accidents occur in the bathroom, which is considered to be the most dangerous room in the house according to the National Safety Council.

Moreover, Bath safety is a service that spans across multiple, major patient groups, such as geriatric, bariatric and mobility patients, to name a few. This means that providing bath safety involves addressing a number of very different and distinct patient requirements and considerations.

Bath safety solutions include products such as grab bars, which should be strategically located in and around the bathing area, as well as around the toilet. Bathing solutions range from simple solutions such as bathing stools or benches that patients can use in conjunction with a handheld shower to protect against falls, all the way to complex transfer chairs and lifts to help patients get in and out showers and tubs. And, of course, there are general items, such as non-slip material or strips and similar household items.

The result is a cornucopia of patient-specific safety items that patients truly need, and that can be sold on a retail basis, thus buttressing provider cash flow in the face of declining Medicare reimbursement. Here are some great solutions that can help you protect your patients — and your bottom line:

Safe Bathtub Transfer

I•Class Heavy-Duty Transfer Bench

• Offers a durable one-piece blow molded seat with drain holes, a soap dish and an arm rail for support while bathing and transferring in and out of the tub.
• Bench has reversible backrest to accommodate right or left transfers, is ergonomically shaped and snaps in and out without tools.
• The 1-inch anodized aluminum frame is rust resistant and features an arm rail for support and non-marring rubber tips.

Invacare Corp.
(800) 333-6900
www.invacare.com

Luxurious Shower Seat

SerenaSeat

• A wall mounted fold-away shower seat with a 450 lb. weight capacity.
• Features Brazilian Walnut, which is up to three times stronger than teak and is naturally resistant to moisture, mildew and decay.
• When folded, its ultra-slim profile is less than four inches deep, which maximizes shower space for users who wish to stand.

HealthCraft Products Inc.
(888) 619-9992
www.healthcraftproducts.com

Lightweight Bath Lift

Archimedes

• Lightweight battery-operated bath lift.
• Supports up to 330 lbs.
• Fits in most bath tubs with no installation required.

Mangar USA
(800) 901-5269
www.mangarusa.com

Accessories Hidden in Plain Sight

Invisia Collection

• New category in bath safety known as safety enhanced bathroom accessories.
• A series of luxurious bathroom accessories (soap dish, toilet paper holder, corner shelf etc.) that also happen to be grab bars hidden in plain sight.
• Features 350 lb. weight capacities.

HealthCraft Products Inc.
(888) 619-9992
www.healthcraftproducts.com

Easy and Quick Transfer

Tub Seat

• Attaches to any tub with two secure non-marring clamp plates and designed to fit on sloping or curved tub walls.
• Automatically locks into position in both directions. Side handle helps to a standing position.
• 300 lb. weight capacity and a 15-inch wide non-slip seat.

Health Circle
(800) 369-8835
www.myhealthcircle.us

Foldaway Wheelchair Shower

FAWSsit

• Portable self-contained shower with standard, bariatric, tall and recliner models available.
• Decreases the incidents of skin infections and UTIs, promote circulation and muscle relaxation and helps maintain critical body temperature control.
• No home modification or tools required.

Care Giver Support Products
(877) 329-7748
www.fawssit.com

This article originally appeared in the May 2010 issue of HME Business.