The origins of critical care or the intensive care unit can be traced back to Copenhagen in the 1950s when doctors and nurses were grappling with the devastating effects of polio. At this time, the main way to treat patients suffering from respiratory failure as a result of the disease was via an iron lung, a mechanical respirator that stimulates breathing. Copenhagen had only one iron lung in the whole city — nowhere near enough to treat the estimated 6-12 people arriving at the hospital daily with respiratory failure.

Clinicians knew they had to come up with a new strategy to reduce the mortality rate, which was primarily affecting children. An anaesthetist by the name of Bjørn Ibsen proposed a new technique to help patients breathe. The procedure he invented — blowing directly into the lungs rather than creating a vacuum around the body that forced the lungs to expand — ultimately became the modern-day ventilator. During Ibsen’s time, the ventilator was very rudimentary and had to be controlled manually, bringing together hundreds of medical students who kept patients alive through round-the-clock ventilation.

This concept of physically grouping patients together who required the same level of constant, life-saving care was the origins of the modern ICU ward. Today, countless patients of critical care in Australia are treated using a ventilator, surrounded by patients in a similar condition. Of course, the critical care unit has come a considerable way in the past 70 years. Innovative technology has completely transformed how we treat patients for the better.

Critical care today

Today, a critical care unit looks nothing like the first efforts all those years ago. Patients rely on a variety of healthcare equipment to provide life-giving care, from infusion pumps to EKG machines.

The very nature of critical care patients means they are usually unable to ingest nutrients orally. This can be due to injury sustained to the mouth and jaw or the patient may be unconscious. In these situations, patients typically rely on enteral feeding to receive food. Paragon Care offers a complete range of oral nutrition and enteral feeding products to meet the needs of all patients and clinicians.

Infusion therapy is another common therapeutic invention for ICU patients. Patients who cannot receive medication orally benefit from this approach as do those who require medication in a controlled fashion. Patients admitted to the ICU ward are often extremely dehydrated — in this situation, intravenous fluids can be life-saving.

The risk of healthcare associated infection in a critical care ward is reasonably high, with many patients recovering from surgery or critical injury. Paragon Care’s range of hospital grade disinfection products mitigate this risk, protecting both patients and clinicians alike.

Naturally, patients admitted to the critical care ward are often in significant pain. Anaesthesia is required, as is anaesthesia delivery systems, needle guides, and speciality covers to reduce the risk of infection.

All of these products and more are included within Paragon Care’s comprehensive critical care healthcare equipment portfolio. For more specific information and guidance, healthcare professionals are encouraged to submit a product information request today.

Looking to the future of critical care

When we look back to where critical care started, it’s clear that we can expect intensive care to look quite different in the next decade or two.

Artificial intelligence, for example, is expected to have a substantial impact on how patients are treated. Monitoring devices will become more sensitive and provide early alerts to changes in a patient’s condition. As is the case with many industries, data is becoming an increasingly valuable asset within healthcare and may be able to one day predict how a patient will respond to treatment. Clinicians will be able to make timelier, more informed decisions, which is certainly a positive thing.

The Covid-19 pandemic put significant pressure in intensive care units. Lessons learnt over the past two years will no doubt help clinicians better triage patients and cope with unforeseen surges. This is particularly important as the instances of global pandemics are expected to only increase due to globalisation and the effects of climate change.

Ultimately, the future of critical care in Australia will likely see more tailored and less invasive care as we learn more about how patients respond to treatment and develop healthcare equipment that can perform life-saving functions at minimal intrusion.

It is the responsibility of a healthcare provider to ensure their equipment is in appropriate condition. After all, doctors and specialists rely on devices to diagnose and operate on patients. If the calibration of a machine is even slightly off, it can have a significant effect on the end outcome.

It’s not enough to simply hope that a device is in good working order or that an apparent fault fixes itself. Medical equipment repair provides confidence to both patients and clinicians that they can rely on diagnostic results and operational capabilities.

What’s the difference between equipment repair and maintenance?

While equipment repair and maintenance are two separate services, they are closely related. Equipment repair is conducted when there is an apparent fault with a device. Equipment maintenance, on the other hand, is an ongoing, scheduled service that can prevent the need for repair to even take place.

Equipment repair often involves replacing an entire part or taking apart a machine to work out what’s causing an underlying issue. Maintenance might involve following a checklist to tick off that each part of a device is in good working order.

How can you reduce the need for equipment repair?

There are several strategies you can implement to reduce the need for equipment repair.

To start with, as mentioned, equipment maintenance is very important. Only by following a recommended maintenance schedule can technicians pick up on minor issues before they become too significant and affect the operational capacity of a device.

There is also an argument to be made for investing in better equipment. While all types of equipment are prone to breaking down, it makes sense that the more well constructed your device is, the less likely it is to suffer ill effects from wear and tear. While better equipment may come at a higher upfront cost, there’s every chance you will save more money in the long run through reduced repair.

How often will my equipment need to be repaired?

The answer to this question really depends on the type of equipment and the quality of the device. Some devices will be used more often than others and therefore are more susceptible to everyday wear and tear.

There comes a point where the question you need to ask is: am I better off repairing or replacing this device?

Repairing can be more economical in the short term. However, if you’re finding that you constantly need to organise technician visits, replacement may be the preferred option. After all, each time your device is out of action, you will need to contact patients, rearrange appointments, and extend your waiting list. This process can have a significant effect on patient outcomes and the operational capacity of your facility.

Is medical equipment repair expensive?

Again, the answer to this question depends on your unique circumstances.

Firstly, consider where you have bought your equipment from. If your supplier is Paragon Care, we are proud to support our customers with product, system, and application related services throughout the entire lifecycle of an asset. This is one of the many advantages of working with a professional, experienced supplier.

On the other hand, you might choose to purchase your equipment from a company that doesn’t offer technical support. You will need to organise your own repair work, which can come at a significant cost. There’s also no guarantee that the technician has prior knowledge of your device or will use genuine manufacturer parts. This can be a costly mistake.

Consider the overall cost of working with a supplier before making your purchase.

How can I organise medical equipment repair?

With Paragon Care, this is easy. Our dedicated technical support staff and 50 plus engineers on the ground across Australia and New Zealand are available to help you with medical equipment repair and maintenance.

In addition, all of our work is carried out by technicians trained to manufacturers certification and using genuine manufacturers parts. You can rest assured that any repair work conducted on your devices will not interfere with functionality or accuracy.

As a leading provider of medical equipment in Australia, the team at Paragon Care knows how much our customers rely on medical equipment to help support positive patient outcomes. We take seriously our responsibilities to our clients and are happy to answer any and all questions you may have about our products and services. Contact Paragon Care today to learn more.

There comes a point in the lifecycle of an asset where you are faced with the choice to replace or repair. The significant cost of medical equipment means that many people choose to use medical repair services rather than purchase an entirely new device. But is this even the right choice from a long-term financial perspective, let alone considering the effects that your decision will have on patient safety and wellbeing?

Consider the following points when deciding whether to replace or repair ageing medical equipment.

Performance and reliability

Medical equipment needs to function as expected, when expected. The last thing you want is an important device malfunctioning or simply refusing to turn on when you have a long list of patients relying on it. Even if the issue can be fixed by a technician, you’ll still need to book in time for them to come visit — all the while patient numbers are stacking up. Trying to rely on a faulty device is essentially putting patient safety at risk.

A machine that malfunctions once in a blue moon is no particular problem. One that can’t go a few weeks without needing to be repaired is cause for concern and could be a sign you need to invest in a replacement.

Accuracy

Diagnostic equipment can still function without being entirely accurate, which is cause for concern for clinicians. Doctors and specialists depend on these devices to produce precise results, from which they can make informed treatment decisions.

If your equipment has been recently recalibrated by a technician only to produce inaccurate results a short time later, it may be time to purchase a new device.

Obsolescence

Medical equipment manufacturers are constantly coming up with innovative equipment and devices. While it’s not particularly feasible for healthcare providers to be continually investing in new equipment — particularly small, regional clinics — there comes a point at which current devices may become completely obsolete.

What does this mean from a practical perspective? Well, it will become increasingly difficult to source spare parts. Warranty will become an issue if it wasn’t already. Depending on the nature of the device and the healthcare services you offer, you may even find that doctors direct their patients to other facilities that have current, high-tech machinery.

There comes a point at which you simply need to consider upgrading your equipment and medical supplies in Australia, no matter how functional or accurate your current equipment is.

Cost

Finally, cost. We often talk about how expensive medical equipment can be upfront. But we rarely consider the long-term costs of purchasing and maintaining equipment and devices. This is known as the total cost of acquisition, or TCA, and it’s important to calculate before making any type of decision to purchase, replace, or repair equipment.

Paragon Care offers product, system, and application related medical repair services throughout the entire lifecycle of an asset. However, not all medical equipment providers do the same. If your supplier doesn’t support you in this manner, you might find calling a technician is a particularly expensive undertaking that you can’t financially afford to be doing every few weeks.

So, whilst purchasing new equipment may initially seem like the more expensive course of action, you’ll likely find that it’s better from a long-term budget perspective.

Your decision to replace or repair medical equipment will be made far simpler if you first and foremost purchase from a qualified and experienced supplier. Paragon Care is an industry-leading provider of equipment and medical supplies in Australia. Our local presence means we understand the types of challenges and opportunities currently facing Australian medical facilities and can provide informed, tailored advice on equipment purchase and servicing.

Our medical repair services are comprehensive, with a dedicated technical support call centre and over 50 service engineers across Australia and New Zealand. Whether you need advice on replacing an obsolete device or require immediate assistance repairing equipment, Paragon Care is here to provide support.

Medical equipment can be quite expensive, particularly devices used to diagnose and operate on patients. While there will come a point in time when equipment needs to be replaced, you can certainly prolong the life cycle of an asset by taking appropriate precautions and following a scheduled maintenance plan.

As an experienced supplier of medical equipment in Australia, Paragon Care understands that taking care of medical devices is made infinitely easier if the equipment is high-quality. Our product portfolio is comprehensive, as is our range of maintenance and service offerings. We aim to provide our customers with support at every step of the journey, helping you to both select and protect your assets.

Strategies for medical equipment maintenance

Without set strategies in place, you risk investing a significant amount in your medical equipment portfolio for limited return.

Follow a scheduled maintenance plan: Too often, what starts as a minor equipment fault quickly turns into a significant issue because it’s not caught soon enough. By following a scheduled maintenance plan, you give technicians the best chance at picking up on small problems and fixing them immediately, improving the functionality of equipment and reducing the likelihood that you will have to put any device out of action whilst waiting for repair.

Only use certified technicians: Not all engineers are qualified to repair medical devices. In fact, by hiring the wrong technician, you could be doing more harm than good. Fortunately, Paragon Care boasts a team of over 50 technicians across Australia and New Zealand, all of whom are fully trained to manufacturer’s certification. Our technicians only use genuine manufacturer parts, meaning you can be confident that your equipment is functional and accurate, even post-repair.

Cleaning and disinfection: Cleaning and disinfection is first and foremost important from a patient safety perspective, particularly for reusable devices. There are strict rules that govern hygiene and are designed to reduce the risk of cross contamination.

In addition to this, regular cleaning can help prolong a device’s lifespan. Aim to keep equipment free from moisture and dust and use only appropriate cleaning products.

Take note of wattage and battery: This may seem like a simple one but ensure that the right type of power is being supplied to your devices. Not only will this reduce the risk of a total breakdown but it’s also important from a patient safety perspective.

Think ahead: Medical equipment is much like any other type of equipment in that it is prone to breakdowns. You may even need to purchase replacement parts, depending on the issue at hand. The availability of spare parts is often an issue for healthcare providers, particularly if they’ve purchased equipment from an overseas seller without appropriate customer service.

When researching medical equipment suppliers, consider all aspects of medical equipment management, including how your choice of supplier may affect your ability to take care of devices.

Inventory management: As a healthcare manager, the management of medical equipment supplies is one of your top responsibilities. By staying on top of the equipment you own, how old it is, failure frequency, downtime, and repair costs, you will be able to proactively plan maintenance to try and maximise asset use.

Staff training: Ideally, all your staff will know how to use equipment and devices, but this is a dangerous (and potentially costly) assumption to make. Too often, equipment failure is brought on by staff who may not understand completely how to use or set up a device.

Prioritise staff training and try to cultivate a working environment in which all staff members feel comfortable asking for help.

Paragon Care — supporting you every step of the way

At Paragon Care, we believe in supporting our customers throughout the entire life cycle of an asset. We’ll provide tailored advice regarding the medical equipment supplies your facility needs and go one step further with our maintenance and service offerings.

We’re proud to be recognised as a leading provider of medical equipment in Australia. Our vision is to provide advanced solutions to improve patient experience and workflows, and we are confident that our comprehensive product portfolio, combined with the offerings of our service department, achieves this.

Our team of highly trained technicians can provide advice regarding medical equipment maintenance and how best to prolong the life of your assets. For more information, contact the team at Paragon Care today.

Case Study: Ellie - Dog bite wound with necrotic tissue. Things don't always go well with the first treatment, as was the case for Ellie.

When it comes time to purchase new surgical equipment, you often focus on questions relating to the here and now. Can I afford this equipment? Do I have enough room to store it? Will it be of genuine use to my patients?

While these questions are very important, they tend to provide answers that are relevant in the short-term. It’s equally as important to factor in matters relating to cost and logistics over a longer period of time. Equipment maintenance, for example, is a critical part of running a healthcare facility and is often overlooked when making purchasing decisions.

As a leading supplier of surgical supplies in Australia, at Paragon Care, we understand the importance of equipment servicing and maintenance. Our Service and Technology team are able to offer assistance through the entire lifecycle of your asset, making your immediate purchase with us a smart long-term investment.

Maintenance and patient safety

For healthcare workers, the number one concern is patient safety. Patients have the best chance of regaining their health if they are treated using appropriate risk-management strategies.

Regular, scheduled maintenance falls under a risk-management approach. Clinicians rely on diagnostic equipment to provide accurate imaging and chemical analyses. If this equipment is even slightly miscalibrated, it can have a significant impact on the type of treatment that is recommended and the recovery time of the patient.

The same applies to operative equipment. Accuracy and functionality are key when performing any type of surgery, no matter how low-risk.

Following a recommended maintenance schedule will allow technicians to pick up on small issues before they have a chance to affect equipment functionality. The key to ensuring a device is always accurate consistency. Trained technicians should monitor equipment on a regular basis before an unchecked error can have a significant impact on patient health and wellbeing.

Maintenance vs. repair

Maintenance and repair are two sides of the same coin. The goal of maintenance is to prevent equipment repair from ever really needing to take place. However, equipment can be unpredictable and having a trained, experienced repair team you can call upon will provide peace of mind.

Paragon Care’s Service and Technology division includes a network of over 50 engineers across Australia and New Zealand, all of whom are trained to take care of problems large and small. Our technicians perform work to manufacturers’ certification and use only genuine manufacturer parts. You can be confident that any repair we conduct is of the highest standard and won’t impact on the functionality or accuracy of your equipment.

Our repair teams understand that faulty or broken equipment has a significant impact on patient experience. We provide fast, efficient, on-site repair, reducing the risk that patients will be left waiting for important tests or procedures.

While we hope that regular maintenance will reduce the need for significant repairs, we are confident that our highly-trained team is equipped to deal with any and all repair issues.

Paragon Care — your partner across everything

Purchasing equipment and surgical supplies in Australia is a significant investment. Fortunately, Paragon Care is here to help.

Our team of trained and experienced customer service team can assist with everything from providing equipment recommendations to talking you through your warranty options. Our comprehensive product portfolio covers everything from orthopaedics to veterinary equipment. In addition to offering high-quality capital and consumable products, our qualified engineers are on hand to offer efficient service and maintenance.

Take the stress out of purchasing medical equipment and organising maintenance by contacting Paragon Care today.

LabGear Australia strategically partners with class leading suppliers of laboratory equipment and consumables of a complementary nature. Covering a wide cross section of laboratories, predominantly in the life sciences arena, medical diagnostics, research, industry, veterinary, food and beverage. Working with our customers to provide laboratory supplies ensuring best practice and user applicable solutions wherever possible. 

Highly recognisable brands delivering unsurpassed performance include Hettich Centrifuges, Snijders Labs -80 Freezers, IKA laboratory equipment and SSI Bio Plasticware to name a few.

As part of our commitment to delivering the highest standards in customer care, the LabGear Australia team provides the below on all laboratory equipment and consumables it supplies:

• Some of the key laboratory equipment expertise LabGear Australia offers, includes small benchtop instruments from labelling solutions to small vortexes and centrifuges. Cryogenic freezers, -80°C ULT freezers, -20°C and 4°C degree solutions to specialised products for plant growth chambers and climate control environments are all part of our extensive experience. 
• As part of the broader Paragon Care Speciality Diagnostics Division, expertise and solutions for Pathology, Molecular Diagnostics and Blood Grouping demonstrates the extensive yet specialised resources available.
• If your laboratory, workflow or process requires a solution, do not hesitate in talking with the Team to optimise your outcomes with these or other products from our range.
• Next-day dispatch of consumables in stock
• Wide range and volume of stock holdings for customer convenience
• Provision of samples, subject to availability, ensuring items are fit for purpose
• Site inspection process to ensure a smooth delivery of larger items.
• Delivery to the laboratory or onto the workplace bench where required (rite-onsite)
• Installation and user training including ongoing user training, as required
• Full workshop facilities in each state. LabGear has its own team of  fully trained service engineers supported by the Paragon Care’s Technical Services Group and an extensive inventory of spare parts to ensure quick and efficient completion of repairs, when required.

In such a competitive industry how does LabGear Australia stand out? 
Customers come first. LabGear Australia was founded in 2012, is Australian owned and operated with a strong Customer Service and Technical Support focus. ISO 9001:2008 accredited with all equipment conforming to all Australian electrical requirements and Australian “RCM” legislation (“C” tick) ensure consistency in delivery of our products and services to the highest standard.

They may connect you with a specialist who can provide you with product information, an equipment service booking or logistical information by drawing on extensive resources within this talented group of solution providers regardless of your laboratory’s speciality. Whatever the inquiry, we have a LabGear team member ready to assist, with a network of representatives Nationally at the ready to visit you at your site.

The LabGear Australia team are both professional and attentive to your needs and can be reached on 1800 LABGEAR.

Visit the LabGear Australia website

Infusion pumps have not always been as safe as they are now. Even in their current form, it’s important that clinicians are aware of the proper processes to follow to ensure no harm comes to the patient.

Here at Paragon Care, we understand the important role a medical equipment supplier plays in prioritising patient safety and wellbeing. Our equipment is high-quality, and our Service and Technology team is on hand to deal with any maintenance issues, no matter how seemingly small.

What is an infusion pump?

An infusion pump is a medical device used to deliver fluids to a patient in a controlled manner. These fluids can include nutrients, hydrating substances, or medication. Infusion therapy is usually used in situations where a patient cannot take in fluids normally, ie. orally. This can be for a range of reasons, including damage to the mouth or gastrointestinal tract.

Infusion therapy can also be used in situations where a patient is not responding to oral medication. Some particularly severe or persistent infections may need to be treated intravenously as a matter of urgency. The same also applies to patients who are severely dehydrated and need fluids delivered in concentrated amounts as soon as possible.

An infusion pump facilitates these types of treatments. There are many different types of infusion pumps, each designed to administer fluids at a different rate. Broadly speaking, infusion pumps can be broken up into two categories: stationary and ambulatory. As the name suggests, stationary pumps are those used at a patient’s bedside, while ambulatory can be used on the go.

Potential risks

Even the most advanced infusion pumps must be set up in the correct manner to avoid the risk of patient injury occurring. These risks can include:

Software defects: Infusion pumps are quite high-tech these days and tend to come equipped with alarms that are designed to alert nurses if something is wrong. However, these alarms have been known to malfunction, failing to sound when the infusion pump needs attention or ringing when there is no problem.

Safety risks in this category can also include errors that occur when pre-programming the amount of fluid that is required or the rate at which it should be administered.

User error: Like any type of medical device, there is always the chance of user error occurring when setting up an infusion pump. This can happen if a nurse is using a particular type of infusion pump for the first time or the interface makes it particularly unclear what is required from the human user.

Mechanical failure: Some infusion pumps are battery operated while others require a wall socket. Either way, mechanical failure is a common safety concern. Batteries can run out and poorly maintained cords have the potential to start a fire.

Mitigating all of these risks is doable and important. Generally speaking, it requires making sure that all of your clinicians are trained in the particular equipment you are using (as there are many different makes and models of infusion pumps) and scheduling equipment maintenance on a regular basis.

Any potential risks should be regularly discussed and employees should feel comfortable asking questions about how equipment works.

Paragon Care — prioritising patient wellbeing

At Paragon Care, our many years in the medical equipment industry have taught us how best to prioritise patient wellbeing and safety.

We are proud to supply high-quality equipment to hospitals, clinics, and a variety of other healthcare providers. We understand that clinicians need to trust in the accuracy and performance of medical equipment and make quality one of our top priorities.

We understand that medical equipment, like any other type of equipment, requires regular servicing to maintain peak performance. Our Service and Technology team is made up of trained professionals who can conduct maintenance and repairs in a timely and efficient manner. Our friendly and experienced customer service team is on hand to answer any questions you might have about an infusion pump or any other type of equipment.

Contact Paragon Care today to find out more about our product portfolio and the steps we take to prioritise patient wellbeing.

We have some very exciting news.

In the 2019 Honour Roles for Queen's Birthday Honours (Australia), Dr Kirsty Gardiner-Berry was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service to audiology.

Kirsty has been with Paragon Care for over 15 years (as a part of Scanmedics) as our Clinical Consultant for the New Born Hearing Screening therapeutic area.

The award was presented at Government house in a special ceremony from NSW Governor, Margaret Beazley AC.

Like many other types of industries, medical equipment providers have a fairly significant online presence. While these companies might not necessarily sell their equipment and products via any type of online portal, most will have a website and potentially even a social media presence.

A quick Google of the term ‘medical equipment Australia’ will bring up countless companies, each offering similar products and services. So, how can you be sure that you’re working with the right supplier for your needs?

Continue reading to discover what you should be looking out for when researching medical equipment companies online.

Comprehensive product portfolio

Right now, you might be looking for a very specific product, like a point-of-care ultrasound machine, for example. But a few months down the track, who knows what other pieces of equipment your clinic might require?

For this reason, it’s well worth considering the long-term when researching medical equipment providers. This is particularly the case for clinics and hospitals that offer treatment across multiple specialities. If you can use the same provider to purchase your urology equipment and neonatal devices, it will make things a lot simpler from a logistical perspective.

Location

Usually, one of the main advantages of researching and shopping online is that you can do business with suppliers all across the world. This doesn’t really apply when it comes to medical equipment.

Medical equipment in Australia is regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, or TGA. The TGA monitors the manufacturing, advertising, and selling of all medical devices throughout Australia. All equipment and devices must be approved by them before it can be used in a clinical environment.

Each country throughout the world has their own version of the TGA, but not all of these organisations follow the same standards. To ensure you are meeting all regulatory requirements, it’s important that you purchase medical equipment from companies approved by the TGA.

Great customer service

It goes without saying that any company you are working with in a professional capacity needs to have great customer service. This is particularly true of medical equipment suppliers. Even the most experienced healthcare managers are likely to have more than a few questions about equipment cost and capabilities. The last thing you want is to be left hanging for answers.

The company should be accessible, responsive, and professional. Check their website to see what kind of customer service they offer and what channels you are able to contact them via.

Service and technology

People love buying items online because of the convenience. They have limited interaction with the supplier and transactions tend to be very efficient and one-sided.

This is not particularly the experience you want to have with a medical equipment supplier. In fact, some would say the more contact you can have with your supplier, the better. After all, you are purchasing equipment that will be used to diagnose and treat sick patients. You need to trust in the accuracy and functionality of this equipment.

Before making a purchase or choosing to do business with a company, make sure that they offer full maintenance and repair. Often a particular supplier may look like the more attractive option because their prices are lower. Check carefully to see what they are offering as part of the sale — it’s unlikely to be an appropriate level of technical support.

Paragon Care is an established provider of medical equipment in Australia with an industry reputation for supplying quality equipment and offering excellent customer service. While our website contains comprehensive information regarding our products and service offerings, we encourage all interested customers to contact our friendly customer service team, who can provide you with in-depth advice tailored to your unique situation.