Enter any healthcare facility and you will be immediately greeted by an extensive variety of devices and equipment. Advancements made in medical technology has rapidly transformed the way in which patients are treated and the quality of healthcare that clinicians can provide.

Paragon Care understands that our clients are always searching for medical devices and solutions to improve patient care. As such, our Technology and Connectivity portfolio provides the answers to many client queries, with a variety of monitoring and communication-based solutions to suit every need.

Technology in healthcare

Technology and healthcare go hand in hand. This is not only true in our modern, digitally driven world but has been the case throughout history.

One of the first medical devices was the stethoscope, invented all the way back in 1816 by a French physician called René Laennec. Laennec’s invention was not particularly technical — being just an ear trumpet that was pressed to the chest — but it demonstrates one of the first instances where humans sought to investigate what was going on inside the body using specially built instruments.

Medical devices have come a long way since then. These days, we rely on innovative technology to diagnose, measure, monitor, and treat all manner of bodily functions. Healthcare technology is an ever-growing field — one strictly regulated due to the immense impact that devices can have on the health and safety of both patients and clinicians.

Paragon Care’s product portfolio

As a leading provider of medical equipment, devices, and consumables, Paragon Care is at the forefront of emerging and innovative technology. Our product range is extensive and covers all aspects of clinical care.

Technology is not only harnessed for devices designed to diagnose and treat patients. It also plays an important role in facilitating communication within a healthcare setting.

Paragon Care — and their associated brands — offer a wide range of products designed to assist clinicians provide quality patient care. This includes:

Nurse call systems

Nurse call systems are an integral to any healthcare facility, enabling patients to quickly contact nurses and request assistance. They are commonly used in aged care settings to grant patients a certain level of freedom whilst also ensuring carers are within reach.

CCTV systems

It’s not often discussed but security of healthcare facilities is very important. Through appropriately placed CCTV systems, healthcare providers can ensure that the safety and privacy of their patients and visitors is respected.

Access control systems

Hospitals and healthcare facilities have secure areas for a reason. Access control systems enable you to efficiently control which clinicians, patients, and visitors are allowed to access the areas of your facility through proximity readers, key pads, and swipe card readers.

Voice communication systems

Effective communication is the cornerstone of quality healthcare. As such, voice communication systems are essential if clinicians are to treat patients in a timely and appropriate manner.

Partner with Paragon Care for your technology needs

Paragon Care has an extensive history of providing our clients with the latest in quality healthcare equipment. Our Technology and Connectivity team — including our brand, Total Communications — work to ensure your patients and clinicians have access to the communication and monitoring systems they need.

In addition to our technology portfolio, we are proud to offer our clients an extensive range of medical devices used across all specialities. Contact us today to find out more.

Just as we benefit from advancements made in the medical sector, so too do our animal counterparts. Innovative technology has significantly increased the level of patient care veterinarians are able to provide to animals of all shapes and sizes.

One of these innovations is point-of-care diagnostic equipment. Being able to provide an efficient and accurate diagnosis whilst in the presence of the patient enables veterinarians to quickly turn their attention to treatment options.

Paragon Care’s veterinary equipment portfolio includes state of the art point-of-care diagnostic equipment, alongside a range of crucial capital and consumable devices to provide comprehensive, well-rounded patient care.

What is point-of-care diagnostics?

Whether a vet is treating a domestic puppy or a wild possum, getting test results as quickly as possible is a priority. Clinicians have two choices when it comes to performing diagnostic investigations; to send samples off to a laboratory or to use point-of-care equipment to provide a prognosis on the spot.

Point-of-care refers to any type of equipment that enables clinicians to receive diagnostic information near or at the site of the patient. An example of a point-of-care device is a blood glucose meter, commonly used by diabetics to check blood sugar levels.

When treating animals, vets rely on a variety of point-of-care devices that have the ability to perform the following tests:

• Hormone assays
• Inflammatory markers
• Hepatic assays
• GI assays
• Specialised markers.

What benefits do point-of-care diagnostics provide?

Vets rely on an array of point-of-care diagnostic devices to provide fast, easy, and accurate test results. Using a point-of-care device can be cheaper than sending a sample to a commercial laboratory; it is certainly quicker, and it allows a clinician to immediately move to the treatment phase of animal care.

Other benefits of point-of-care diagnostics include:

• Increased client satisfaction, particularly in the case of domestic pet owners
• Precise sample analysis
• Potential reduction in antibiotic resistance.

The last point is particularly important. Antibiotic resistance in humans has long been a point of concern for clinicians and healthcare professionals. It is now believed that antimicrobial resistance in animals could be transferred to humans via the food chain, further contributing to reduced effectiveness of antibiotics. Point-of-care devices that provide instantaneous, accurate results have the potential to reduce the over-prescription of drugs and the likelihood of developing antimicrobial resistance.

Point-of-care diagnostic devices assist patients in rural locations, where clinicians can be hours away from a laboratory. The livestock industry, for example, benefits greatly from on-the-spot examinations and treatment options.

Turn to Paragon Care for all your veterinary needs

As a leading provider of healthcare equipment and services, Paragon Care remains at the forefront of innovative technologies — including point-of-care diagnostic equipment.

Our combined businesses provide access to a wide array of medical and scientific experts. Within the veterinary sector, REM SYSTEMS leads the way with a range of products and services designed to meet the demands of veterinarians, universities, research facilities, and zoos.

REM SYSTEMS’ extensive portfolio of point-of-care diagnostic equipment includes the EUROLyser Cube-Vet, a revolutionary point-of-care analyser that offers advanced testing capabilities.

Developed in Austria, the Cube-Vet is a fully automated analysis instrument with the ability to provide liver diagnostics, diabetes analysis, inflammatory status, and acute phase protein diagnostics. The Cube-Vet’s test portfolio is constantly increasing, and its tablet PC interface is well-designed and highly functional.

Beyond point-of-care diagnostic equipment, Paragon Care boasts a comprehensive veterinary equipment portfolio. In partnership with REM SYSTEMS, we are passionate about providing high quality veterinary care through equipment including therapeutic lasers and centrifuges, as well as consumables used for oncology delivery and IV therapy.

Coupled with outstanding customer service, Paragon Care’s experience and knowledge enables us to support our clients across all their veterinary needs.

There are many advantages to conducting a regular and systematic review of your health care products portfolio.

Firstly, medical equipment — as is the case with any type of technology — is always evolving and improving. The medical equipment manufacturing sector is constantly looking for ways to incorporate new types of technology, assisting clinicians improve their ability to diagnose and treat patients. Reviewing your product list ensures that you are on top of the latest in equipment and devices.

In addition, regularly reviewing your portfolio provides you with the opportunity to dispose of equipment that you may not be using or has become obsolete, freeing up space and resources.

Finally, conducting a review is an excellent way of coming to an understanding as to the current value of your medical equipment, which is important for security and insurance purposes.

How to Review your Product Portfolio

There are many ways to carry out an equipment portfolio review. Regardless of the approach that your facility takes, the most important factor is arguably the frequency with which you conduct reviews. There is little point to auditing your resources on an ad-hoc basis.

The equipment management process is structured around the following steps:

• Recording equipment information: This can include reviewing your existing equipment and developing a system appropriate to maintain clear, useful equipment data.
• Planning to replace or upgrade equipment: This can include identifying gaps in your portfolio, coming up with possible solutions, and gathering information regarding costs and timelines.
• Acquiring equipment: This can include developing a procurement plan, deciding on a medical equipment provider, organising the purchase and delivery.
• Maintaining equipment: This crucial step enables you to get the most out of your recently purchased medical equipment and devices. Maintenance should be scheduled and recorded as part of the equipment management process.

Tips for Upgrading Medical Equipment

If, through the process of conducting your health care products review, you decide that it is time to upgrade your equipment, there are several factors that must be considered. Given the significant financial investment that medical equipment represents, you want to be certain that you have done your research and made the best decision possible by your clinicians and patients.

These factors include:

• Price: It goes without saying that medical equipment can be expensive. However, the quality of care that you can provide to patients sits in direct correlation to the quality of your healthcare equipment. By opting for more expensive equipment, you can be certain that you and providing your patients with the best chance possible of reaching a positive health outcome.
• Space: Depending on what type of equipment you are buying, medical devices can take up quite a bit of space. Before purchasing, check that you have enough room for your new equipment; this includes storage space.
• Usability: Depending on the type of equipment you purchase, your employees may require operational training. This in itself is not necessarily a problem. However, it’s important that you take this factor into consideration, plan appropriately, and ensure all of your employees are confident operating devices and equipment.

Choosing a Healthcare Product Provider

Choosing a healthcare product provider is not an easy task. After all, the health and wellbeing of your patients depends on your access to quality equipment.

Paragon Care is a leading supplier of healthcare equipment across a range of medical sectors. We offer equipment, devices, and consumables, alongside equipment repair and maintenance, giving our clients confidence that we are able to assist with all their healthcare needs.

If you believe it is time to re-evaluate your portfolio of health care products, contact Paragon Care today.

As a healthcare provider, the type of equipment you purchase is one of the most important decisions that you will make. The quality of equipment can have a considerable impact on the level of patient care that you are able to provide. Healthcare environments — whether hospitals, clinics, or aged-care homes — also need to be approached from a business perspective. Equipment is expensive and you need to be confident that your investment will last a long time.

With many healthcare equipment suppliers on the market, it can be difficult to decide on your preferred provider. Fortunately, Paragon Care has put together a list of factors that should be considered before making your final decision.

Quality of equipment

Quality is arguably the most important consideration when purchasing equipment. Equipment is not an area in which you should be looking to cut costs — the health and wellbeing of your patients depend upon it.

Look for equipment that is durable, compliant with government regulations, manufactured by a reputable company, and comes with full warranty.

Setting considerations

It is important that you approach equipment purchase with full knowledge of your healthcare environment. In the case of a hospital, this includes ward size and storage facilities. You should also know what kind of power resources you have at your disposal — if your device requires constant charge, make sure there will be enough powerpoints available.

When thinking about setting, you should also consider what kind of personnel will be using the equipment. Ideally, look for equipment that is easy to use and does not require extensive training to operate.

Cost

A healthcare facility is a business. While patient care will always be the top priority, operational and financial factors must be taken into account when making any type of significant purchase, including equipment.

Quality equipment will cost more. However, it is far more financially effective in the long-run to pay extra up-front rather than having to continually service and replace equipment.

Customer satisfaction

When looking to work with a new equipment supplier, customer reviews are your best friend. Ask around — ideally other healthcare facilities of a similar size and situation — for recommendations and do your research online before reaching out to suppliers.

It’s also a good idea to speak with the supplier themselves to check what experience they have and whether they understand the types of challenges, constraints, and opportunities that your facility is facing.

After-sales support

Purchasing equipment is a complex, multifactorial decision making process. One of these factors is the type of after-sales support that your provider offers.

Healthcare equipment — as is the case with all types of equipment — will break down. When that happens, you want to be sure that your supplier is available to offer timely repairs and replacements. A non-functioning medical device has a significant impact on patient waiting times and so it is important that equipment is repaired on-site as soon as possible.

Paragon Care — your choice in equipment provider

As a leading provider of healthcare equipment, Paragon Care understands the types of challenges and opportunities that our customers are currently facing. Our equipment is sourced from reputable, quality manufacturers and we offer extensive after-sales support.

You can be confident that our equipment is durable and built to last. Our product range extends from critical care products to veterinary equipment, and we offer medical consumables to be used in all types of situations.

If you are a healthcare professional and are interested in viewing our full product portfolio, contact us today.

There are few medical specialties that require as comprehensive a list of equipment and supplies as surgery. Regardless of the surgical procedure, be it a vascular operation or laparoscopic, healthcare workers rely on a wide range of supplies to treat patients.

Paragon Care has been providing surgeons and health care facilities with medical surgical supplies for a significant period of time. Throughout our years spent working closely with our clients, we have developed an in-depth understanding as to their needs and how we can best assist them provide quality patient care.

If you are looking for a provider of medical surgical supplies, read on to discover how Paragon Care can assist you.

Equipment

The capabilities of surgeons have progressed significantly over the past few decades, not least of all due to advancements made in equipment.

Surgeons utilise a number of different capital devices to diagnose and treat patients. Paragon Care’s portfolio of surgical equipment is extensive and includes high quality surgical ultrasound machines as well as top of the line laser products. The latter are particularly useful in treating urological conditions, such as kidney stones.

Infection Control

The past 18 months have proven that infection control is one of the most important aspects of healthcare. This is particularly the case in a surgical environment, where patients are often suffering from a weakened immune system due to illness or injury.

Paragon Care’s portfolio includes a number of different products and consumables that provide high-grade disinfectant. Using the latest in UV-C technology, as covered in our Infection Control range of products, you can have confidence that your healthcare facilities are kept clean and free from infection.

Pain Management

Most patients undergoing surgery require some form of anaesthesia. Pain management products play an important role when it comes to surgery, providing patients with comfort and helping them to get back on their feet sooner.

Paragon Care provides their customers with a number of different high quality anesthesia delivery systems, needle guides and specialty covers to assist patients navigate the pre and post surgery stages.

Procedural Kits

Surgeons typically rely on a number of different tools and products to conduct surgery. Keeping track of these consumables can be difficult, which is why specially designed procedural kits are an essential part of every surgical theatre.

Infusion Therapy

Patients who are preparing for, or recovering from surgery, often lack the ability to consume food or medication orally. However, such substances are essential for recovery. As a result, infusion therapy plays an important role in surgical care.

Paragon Care counts amongst their surgical portfolio an array of consumable products required for infusion therapy, including IV sets and other types of accessories.

Temperature Management

A patient experiencing hyper or hypothermia is at risk of developing a range of significant and potentially deadly symptoms. This is particularly the case for those preparing for, undergoing, and recovering from surgery, as their body may lack the ability to self-regulate.

Paragon Care and their brands offer a range of products that can be used to maintain body temperature, assisting patients manage their external equilibrium until the internal body system has recovered.

When it comes to medical surgical supplies, Paragon Care’s extensive product portfolio has you covered. From complex capital equipment to consumable products, we strive to provide products of the highest quality. Contact us today to learn more about our range and how we can assist you.

Purchasing surgical supplies is no small task. To start with, the stakes are quite high. The quality of your surgical supplies has a direct impact on the level of patient care you are able to provide. On top of that, surgical supplies are quite a significant investment. The last thing you want to be doing is wasting your budget on unnecessary consumables or equipment that is simply not fit for purpose.

With this in mind, the team at Paragon Care have put together a list of frequently asked questions. This information will hopefully assist you source surgical supplies in Australia that are both within your budget and make a genuine difference to the work of your clinicians (and therefore, the health and wellbeing of your patients).

Is this a one-off purchase or will I need to set up an on-going purchase order?

An alternate phrasing to this question is — am I purchasing capital equipment or consumable products?

Capital surgical supplies include equipment such as an ultrasound machine, or a device used to provide laser therapy. Obviously this will be a one-off purchase, involving potentially less on-going paperwork and logistical considerations.

Consumable products, on the other hand, will require constant replenishment. Consumable surgical supplies include procedural kits, syringes, probe covers, and needle guides. These products can typically only be used once before they must be disposed of. As a result, you will need to calculate how quickly you expect to run through these supplies and come up with an appropriate on-going purchase order.

A good supplier will be able to help you with this, using their knowledge and experience to come up with an arrangement that will ensure you don’t run out of supplies at a critical moment.

Is my supplier qualified to sell this equipment?

The development, manufacture, and selling of surgical supplies in Australia is a heavily legislated field. This is done to protect all parties involved, from the manufacturer to the patient. Before purchasing any type of medical equipment, ensure that the supplier is qualified to advertise and sell the product.

This information can be found on the Therapeutic Goods Association website.

Am I sure these supplies are good quality?

Purchasing surgical supplies in Australia comes with a catch-22; the better quality a product is, the more it is likely to cost.

However, don’t let this put you off investing in quality supplies. As mentioned, the quality of your supplies has a direct impact on the level of patient care you are able to provide. While you don’t need to go out of your way to look for the most expensive product out there, be wary of any supplies that are advertised at a very low price.

The price tag is not the only way that you can discern quality. As is the case with any product purchase, word of mouth recommendations can provide valuable information. Depending on the type of supply, you might also be able to find reviews online that can help you make an informed decision.

Does this supplier offer maintenance and repair?

One of the most important aspects of owning medical equipment is maintenance. As is the case with all types of equipment, medical devices require on-going support and repair if they are to continue to function at a high level.

To put it simply, don’t purchase any type of surgical supplies in Australia if the provider does not also offer maintenance and repair. Doing so is a huge risk; you may invest considerable money in a device only to be left in the dark when it breaks down.

Before purchasing equipment or supplies, ask the provider about their maintenance options. Check whether they offer OEM maintenance and repair, how many technicians they have on their team, and what their standard turnaround time is when it comes to repairs.

What are my warranty and contract options with this supplier?

Warranty is another must-have when it comes to purchasing medical equipment and supplies. Warranty — whether offered by the supplier, manufacturer, or a combination of both — is an excellent way of protecting your investment and providing peace of mind that your patients will continue to benefit from top quality medical care.

Ask also about the supplier's contract options. Many suppliers (including Paragon Care) understand that purchasing medical equipment comes with a considerable upfront cost. Getting your hands on the equipment you need can be made more achievable through service contract offerings.

Of course, this is only a small selection of the possible questions and concerns that you might have. For further information, reach out to Paragon Care’s friendly customer service team. Our experience means we will be able to offer advice tailored to your circumstances, making sure you have all the information you need to purchase surgical supplies in Australia.

For healthcare facilities, medical equipment supplies represent one of the largest financial outlays. Capital equipment — such as ultrasound machines — can be quite expensive, whilst consumable supplies — including needle guides, procedural kits, and infusion therapy products — will need to be replaced on an on-going basis. Suffice to say, the costs can quickly add up.

Many healthcare managers wonder, then, about the possibility of leasing equipment. There are medical equipment suppliers that offer leasing options. But is it the right choice for you?

Of course, the answer to this question will depend on your specific situation, particularly your budget. Generally speaking, however, the advantages to purchasing equipment far outweigh any perceived disadvantages.

Benefits of Purchasing Medical Equipment Supplies

There are many advantages to purchasing medical equipment supplies. Some of these are specific to the healthcare industry, whilst others are just common sense.

Long-Term Cost

The conundrum of leasing vs buying is not exclusive to the medical industry. The other obvious example is real estate.

Many people will tell you that buying a house is, in fact, the cheaper option, when you consider long-term costs. When it comes down to it, they’re not wrong. Of course, you need to have the capital available to purchase the house in the first place.

While buying equipment is a singular financial outlay, leasing equipment will incur an annual cost that can be difficult to plan for. Who knows what the future holds; perhaps your facility will have a particularly bad year and will struggle to make payments. Losing access to your equipment won’t help the situation.

Purchasing medical equipment supplies not only comes at a lower long-term cost, it also represents peace of mind. Once you have the equipment, it is yours to keep, and you can effectively guarantee to your patients that you have the tools and resources needed to provide treatment.

Warranty

There’s not denying the fact that medical equipment can be expensive, which is why warranty is so important. When you buy medical equipment supplies, you are also purchasing the Original Equipment Manufacturer’s warranty. This will protect you for a certain period of time, should the equipment break down.

Leased equipment is unlikely to come with quite the same protection options. Your supplier may provide a replacement but this can be contingent on them having stock. In the meantime, your patients will be left waiting for essential medical treatment.

Purchase warranty is priceless peace of mind.

Business Value

It’s not only your patients who will benefit from your decision to purchase supplies. The value of your business can increase significantly through the purchase of capital equipment.

This will not be a concern for all healthcare managers. However, if you run a private clinic, increasing business value may be one of your top priorities. Speak to a financial expert or business advisor to learn more.

Maintenance

All medical equipment supplies will require maintenance. An on-going maintenance schedule is what keeps equipment in tip-top shape, providing accurate diagnostic information and operative services.

Maintenance offerings will differ from supplier to supplier. Generally speaking, however, purchasing new medical equipment will come with the provision of repair and maintenance. Considering you have invested so much in your purchase, a good supplier will move quickly to organise repairs, meaning down-time is kept to a minimum.

The Equipment Itself

Finally, the equipment itself. Many people spruik leasing medical equipment as the best way to get your hands on the latest technology. Whilst this may be partially true, there are significant advantages to purchasing equipment from an operative perspective.

Medical equipment can be difficult to operate. Opting to purchase means that your staff can take their time getting to know the ins and outs of a device, with confidence that they will be using the equipment for many years to come.

Purchasing equipment also means you have the option to customise it as you like — it’s yours, you can do what you want with it!

Paragon Care — Leading Suppliers of Capital and Consumable Products

Here at Paragon Care, we have many years of experience selling quality medical equipment supplies. We believe that purchasing is the way to go and are proud to offer top-of-the-line equipment to our customers.

Our equipment is supported through comprehensive maintenance and repair offerings. We offer a broad portfolio of contract choices, making purchasing equipment a viable financial option, regardless of your situation. Our trained and experienced service team are on-hand to assist you through every step of the purchasing journey.

If you have further questions or are interested in viewing our product portfolio, contact the friendly team at Paragon Care today.

A procedural kit is a tool that can be used to simplify the responsibilities of both clinicians and healthcare managers alike. Typically, in order to conduct a surgical procedure — whether simple or complex — a clinician will require a range of sterilised tools. A procedural kit assembles all of the supplies, devices, and equipment required in a handy, convenient, and sterilised, pack.

Procedural kits can be mass produced or custom developed, depending on your facility’s specific needs. It’s important to note that the development and sale of procedural kits are regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Association — as are all other surgical supplies in Australia.

According to their guidelines, to meet the definition of a ‘procedural kit’, a pack must include two or more goods, at least one of which is a medical device, which are designed to be ‘interconnected or combined for use in a medical or surgical procedure’ or ‘packaged together for use in a medical or surgical procedure’. Further information can be found on their website.

Benefits of a Procedural Kit in a Surgical Setting

For clinicians, timely access to tools and supplies can be the difference between a positive patient outcome and a longer recovery time. This is particularly the case when conducting complex, high-risk surgical procedures. The presence of a procedural kit means a clinician can be confident that everything they need is right by their side.

Procedural kits not only benefit doctors and nurses, they can also significantly simplify the role of healthcare managers. Instead of having to keep track of individual items, be they bandages or scalpels, you will only have to monitor and manage the kits themselves. Purchasing products as part of a kit can also be looked at as a cost-saving measure.

Types of Procedural Kits

There are many different types of procedural kits. Aside from a surgical setting, these packs can be used in the treatment of everything from fractured bones to gynecological concerns.

Procedural kits can also be classified according to whether they are mass or custom produced. Paragon Care understands that our customers have specific needs and operate in a vast array of settings; our custom produced kits mean that you will always have access to the supplies you require. Contact our team today if you would like to learn more about how we can custom design our products to meet your needs.

Paragon Care — Trusted Suppliers of Surgical Products and Equipment

The quality of patient care a doctor or nurse is able to provide is often dictated by their access to tools and equipment. As a leading provider of surgical supplies in Australia, Paragon Care strives to supply our customers with products of the highest quality. In addition to our procedural kits, our surgical portfolio contains everything from lasers and ultrasounds to products used in the pursuit of infection control.

We understand that our customers are looking for support throughout the entire life-cycle of an asset. Our dedicated call centre and customer service representatives are on hand to offer pre and post-purchase support, while our trained technicians conduct repairs and maintenance to the highest standard.

The use of procedural kits in a surgical setting promotes convenience without sacrificing quality medical care; contact Paragon Care today to learn more about our surgical product range and how we can assist you look after your patients.

Before we discuss what constitutes a medical device, it’s a good idea to start by considering why having such a definition is necessary.

Medical devices can be used to treat patients suffering from a wide variety of conditions — everything from a small cut to a life-threatening illness. Without proper regulation, there is no way of knowing whether these devices are of an appropriate quality or are being used as intended. This lack of knowledge can harm both patients and clinicians.

With that in mind, the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) plays a vital role in protecting doctors, nurses, patients, and those companies that develop and manufacture medical devices.

As per their definition, a medical device must meet the following criteria:

• Be used for humans.
• Be used with the intention of diagnosing, preventing, monitoring, treating, or alleviating a disease or injury, OR, modifying or monitoring anatomy or physiological functions of the body.
• Generally achieve its purpose by a physical, mechanical, or chemical action.

Within this definition, a medical device can be further classified based upon its intended purpose and perceived risk to the patients. In classifying a device, the TGA also takes into account how invasive the product is, and whether it requires a source of energy to function. These classifications can be summarised as follows:

• Class I: Risk level — low. Example, surgical retractor.
• Class I — supplied sterile: Risk level — low-medium. Example, hypodermic needles.
• Class I — incorporating a measuring function: Risk level — low-medium. Example, a medicine cup.
• Class IIa: Risk level — low-medium. Example, an infrared thermometer.
• Class II b: Risk level — medium. Example, a blood bag.
• Class III: Risk level — high. Example, a major joint replacement.
• AIMD: Risk level — high. Example, an implantable defibrillator.

Role of the TGA

The TGA plays an essential role in making sure that medical devices are safe from the perspective of both the clinician and the patient.

As part of this, they have developed a list of Essential Principles, which must be met before a medical device can be manufactured, marketed, and sold in Australia. These Principles are far reaching and concern themselves with all stages of the medical device production process, including research and development, manufacturing, marketing, and use.

It’s important to note that once the TGA has approved a medical device, their role does not end. Rather, they continue to monitor devices that are on the market to ensure that the benefits of a product outweigh any potential risks associated with using it.

Paragon Care’s Portfolio of Medical Devices

As a leading provider of medical devices, Paragon Care is inherently familiar with the role of the TGA and our associated responsibilities to the healthcare community. Our product portfolio boasts an extensive range of high-quality medical devices and we provide support to healthcare workers across all specialties.

If you have any further questions regarding our range of products, we encourage you to get in contact with our team of trained customer service professionals today.

Our bodies can do amazing things. Unfortunately, they are prone to wear and tear, particularly our muscles, joints, and ligaments. Whether it’s due to injury or old age, many individuals will undergo a shoulder reconstructive surgery at some point in their lives.

While reconstruction is quite an invasive type of surgery, innovations in orthopaedics equipment have meant that patients can expect to experience decreased recovery time and improved rehabilitative results.

As a leading provider of orthopaedics equipment, Paragon Care is well placed to assist healthcare providers administer quality patient care.

Shoulder reconstruction: an overview

There are many reasons why a patient may require reconstructive shoulder surgery. Some may have suffered a serious injury, such as a broken bone or a torn rotator cuff. Others may be experiencing severe arthritis that is not responding to treatment.

In most cases, a physician will attempt to treat the patient via a combination of drugs and physiotherapy before reconstructive surgery takes place.

Broadly speaking, there are three different types of shoulder reconstruction:

• Total shoulder replacement, in which the entire ball of the joint is replaced and attached to the bone, before the structure is covered with a new surface.
• Partial shoulder replacement, in which just the ball is replaced.
• Reverse shoulder replacement, in which the standard ball and socket joint is reversed to create a more stable structure. A reverse shoulder replacement is commonly used in situations where a previous reconstruction has failed.

Regardless of the type of reconstruction, this operation usually requires considerable rehabilitation before the patient is able to regain full use of their shoulder.

Equipment used in orthopaedic care

Orthopaedic clinicians rely on a wide range of equipment in order to diagnose and treat patients.

When conducting reconstructive surgery, a clinician will require standard surgical equipment, including forceps, clamps, drills, blades, and retractors. Many medical equipment manufacturers provide specialist procedural kits so that surgeons have everything they need on hand to conduct the procedure.

Aside from this equipment, the joint replacement structures themselves can be considered specialist devices essential to orthopedic surgeons when conducting replacement surgery. These structures are typically made of either bone, metal, plastic, or ceramic, and are carefully crafted to replicate the size and shape of the original joint.

Evolutions in healthcare technology have led to significant improvements in the process of shoulder reconstruction. Not only can replacement structures be built with increased accuracy but the development of robotic-assisted surgery has proven to be of great assistance to orthopaedic clinicians.

Paragon Care — leading orthopaedic equipment provider

Paragon Care is an industry leader in the field of orthopaedics equipment. Having spent many years working in this industry, we have developed a unique insight into the demands of orthopaedics patients and clinicians.

Our product portfolio is extensive. Beyond equipment required for shoulder, hip, and knee replacement surgery, we are proud to provide our clients with both capital and consumable products that are essential when providing orthopaedic care. Whether you require operating room products or need assistance managing infection control, Paragon Care can assist.

Our product line is complemented by our outstanding levels of customer service. With a dedicated support call centre on hand to answer all of your product and service related inquiries, we are committed to providing quality support pre, during, and post-purchase.

If you manage a healthcare facility and are looking to upgrade upon your existing orthopaedics equipment, contact Paragon Care today to discuss how we can assist you.