All healthcare facilities — hospitals, laboratories and allied health centres — depend on medical equipment supplies to diagnose, treat and care for their patients. Medical equipment complements the knowledge and expertise of clinicians and the procurement of this equipment is an important operational consideration for those working in health related fields.

As industry leaders in medical equipment, devices and consumables, Paragon Care possess an unparalleled ability to source clinically innovative products and solutions. Our Capital and Consumables businesses are experts in their field and their comprehensive knowledge enables them to provide tailored advice based upon the requirements of your facility.

What are medical capital and consumables?

Capital medical equipment and medical consumables are two entities that fall under the broad term of medical equipment; both being equally important to a clinician in diagnosing and treating their patients.

Medical capital equipment: Capital equipment describes devices that are expected to have a long life, as opposed to consumables which are disposable products. This type of equipment is often quite expensive (usually in excess of $5000) and operates in a standalone capacity.

Medical consumables: Medical consumables are the types of products that are used on a day-to-day basis, are non-reusable and disposable in nature. Consumables are used across a host of medical environments and can include procedural kits, products used for the purpose of infection control, infusion therapy and enteral feeding products as well as personal protective equipment.

Why are capital and consumable products important in a medical environment?

Capital and consumable equipment complement each other and are used in tangent by clinicians to care for patients. Healthcare professionals depend on these products to make informed treatment decisions that are in the best interests of their patients.

For example, an ultrasound machine — which would be considered a capital product — can be used to produce images of internal body structures. An ultrasound is a vital tool in monitoring, diagnosing and treating a variety of medical conditions.

In order to maintain appropriately high levels of cleanliness and meet infection control standards, a clinician uses a probe cover for each new patient undergoing an ultrasound procedure. A probe cover — a medical consumable — provides protection against cross contamination and maintains a sterile diagnostic environment.

The relationship between an ultrasound machine and probe cover is just one example of the ways in which capital and consumable products interact to provide accurate and safe medical services.

What types of capital and consumable products does Paragon Care provide?

Paragon Care’s Capital and Consumables brands — including Meditron, REM SYSTEMS, Scanmedics and Western Biomedical — are experienced and knowledgeable, providing innovative products and solutions for all your clinical needs.

Our product range is comprehensive, extending across all specialties, including:

• Critical care
• Diagnostics
• Eye care
• Neonatal
• Orthopaedics
• Surgical
• Urology
• Veterinary.

Our full product catalogue is available to health professionals and can be accessed by submitting a product information request form on our website.

Paragon Care — leading provider of medical equipment supplies

Paragon Care’s extensive range of medical capital equipment and medical consumables enables us to meet the complex and tailored needs of our customers. The combined scale of the Paragon Care owned brands enables us to provide comprehensive yet agile assistance and is complemented through our service offerings.

Our customers are supported with product, system and application related services throughout the entire lifecycle of an asset and our customer service team are available for both technical and product related issues.

If you are looking to purchase medical equipment supplies, including capital devices and consumable products, contact Paragon Care today.

Orthopaedics is the branch of medicine that focuses on the musculoskeletal system — our muscles, bones, joints, ligaments and tendons. Orthopedists use a range of approaches, of both a surgical and non-surgical nature, to treat conditions relating to the musculoskeletal system.

Given the high prevalence of orthopaedic diseases and injuries, medical scientists and practitioners are always looking for innovative forms of treatment and new types of orthopaedics equipment to reduce patient pain and increase the rate of recovery.

One such approach is biologics. A biologic is a genetically engineered drug made from blood, protein, viruses and living organisms and can be a powerful treatment tool, particularly for those suffering from joint and ligament issues.

Paragon Care is passionate about delivering innovative solutions to help their customers achieve the best possible patient outcomes. Our biologics portfolio, in partnership with REM SYSTEMS, provides non-surgical treatment for patients suffering from arthritis, and is an exciting, cutting-edge service offering for orthopedists and clinicians.

What is a biologic and how is it used in orthopaedic care?

A biologic is a drug produced from living organisms and is designed to mimic the actions of other substances naturally produced by the body. One of the most common forms of biologic is a vaccine.

Within orthopaedics, biologics are used in order to fight rheumatoid arthritis by targeting the different causes of joint inflammation. Biologics differ from other forms of medication that simply block pain, instead blocking the production of specific substances found in the immune system.

This is important for arthritis sufferers. Whilst our immune systems usually fight to keep us healthy and safe, the immune system of someone diagnosed with arthritis will mistakenly attack itself. The body reacts by producing high levels of natural substances and proteins that stimulate the movement of cells towards sites of inflammation.

There are a number of different types of biologics that target the production of different substances and proteins, all with the goal of easing inflammation and improving patient care.

What are the categories of biologics?

There are different types of biologics that target the multiple elements of the immune system that cause joint inflammation

Categories of biologics include:

• B-cell inhibitors
• Interleukin inhibitors
• Selective costimulation modulator
• TNF inhibitors

What types of biologic orthopaedic solutions does Paragon Care provide?

In partnership with their businesses, Paragon Care provides a broad range of orthopaedic solutions for clinicians and healthcare professionals. Our portfolio of biologic products provides non-surgical treatments for patients with early to moderate stage osteoarthritis of all joints.

REM SYSTEMS is just one of our brands that are able to provide expert advice and support in the area of biologics (as well as other forms of orthopaedic solutions). If you are a clinician or healthcare provider and require additional assistance in the area of biologics, reach out to us today.

What other types of orthopaedic solutions does Paragon Care specialise in?

Beyond biologics, Paragon Care and their owned brands provide an extensive range of orthopaedic solutions. Our businesses provide a combined scale that allows for comprehensive support without sacrificing all-important focus and expertise.

The combined orthopaedics group provides high quality surgical products, equipment and consumables for a range of fields, including:

Hip and knee arthroplasty: We offer a range of materials and equipment to deliver strong clinical outcomes for patients undergoing hip and knee replacement therapies.

Spinal solutions and instrumentation: An intricate and technically challenging speciality, Paragon Care provides a range of cutting edge spinal solutions to facilitate our unique approach to the spinal market.

Shoulder replacement therapies and treatment options: A common operation for those suffering from long-term degeneration of the shoulder socket (often as a result of arthritis), Paragon Care’s shoulder replacement therapies and treatment options are long-established clinical treatment options.

Paediatrics: As with all paediatric specialties, orthopaedic paediatric care requires specialist knowledge, tools and equipment to promote patient care and reduce recovery time for young patients. Paragon Care has a strong and proven understanding of this field and works to facilitate paediatric solutions in the areas of trauma, deformity and spinal injury.

Operating room products: Orthopaedic solutions often require surgery and Paragon Care understands the importance of providing sterile, high-quality and dependable operating room products to support healthcare professionals. Our range includes surgical helmet systems, skin adhesives, sterile tourniquets, patient support systems, cold compression therapy and sterile drapes for C-Arm’s.

Pain management: Pain management is used across all healthcare settings in order to facilitate patient care and reduce recovery times. Our pain relief management tools and therapies are offered throughout our product portfolio, including orthopaedics, to provide much needed pain relief.

Infection control: Never before has infection control been so important in a healthcare setting. Our hospital grade disinfection products and consumables are of the highest quality standards and use the latest in UV-C technology to lower pathogen bioburden levels. Infection control is a critical element of ensuring safe patient care in an orthopaedic setting.

Why should you choose Paragon Care for orthopaedic solutions?

With over 70 people delivering orthopaedics support throughout Australia and New Zealand, Paragon Care provides well-rounded, high-quality orthopaedics solutions for their clients.

Our orthopaedic brands — MediTron, REM SYSTEMS and Surgical Specialties — have extensive understanding of the orthopaedics market, current and emerging forms of technology, and the expectations of healthcare providers regarding quality of equipment and medical products. Our knowledge of orthopaedics equipment is second-to-none and our commitment to our clients is unparalleled.

Beyond the extensive range of equipment, products and treatment options, Paragon Care pride ourself on the outstanding level of customer support that we provide, both during and after the sales process. With a dedicated call centre, nationwide service support and multiple orthopaedic brands, Paragon Care is driven to help our customers achieve the best possible patient outcomes. Contact us today should you require more information regarding biologics or any other type of orthopaedic solution.

Never before has infection control in healthcare settings been so important. The highly contagious nature of the Covid-19 virus has sparked much discussion around methods of infection control, the standards of disinfection products and methods through which healthcare workers and patients can be protected against disease transmission.

Infection control is crucial across all healthcare specialities, including medical surgical supplies. Patients undergoing surgery often are more susceptible to pathogens due to their weakened immune system and depend on systematic use of hospital grade disinfectant products to protect themselves. Infection control also plays a valuable role in protecting clinicians, nurses and hospital workers from microbes they may come into contact with whilst treating patients.

Infection control in a surgical setting can refer to many processes; from something as simple as washing your hands to the use of advanced robotic decontamination systems. Disinfection to a hospital-grade standard is a complex process that requires the interplay of many tools and systematic processes.

Paragon Care grants peace of mind for clinicians and patients with innovative hospital disinfection products and consumables of the highest standard. Our disinfection products are used across all healthcare settings and we understand the particular importance they play within a surgical environment.

What kinds of products are used in infection control?

Infection control in a healthcare environment is often undertaken through a risk-management approach to minimise or prevent the risk of transmission.

Broadly, infection control can refer to:

• Hand hygiene: Includes hand washing (with soap and water) and hand rubbing (with an alcohol based rub. The World Health Organisation suggests that hand hygiene should be practised at five crucial moments within a healthcare setting: before touching a client, before performing a procedure, after performing a procedure or exposure to body fluids, after touching a client and after touching the environment around a client.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): PPE refers to products designed to protect a healthcare worker from exposure to blood and body fluids. It can include gloves, gowns and aprons, masks, eye protection and face shields.
• Environmental control: The proper disinfection of environmental surfaces, equipment and other frequently touched surfaces is essential to reduce the chance of infection.

Why is infection control important within a surgical environment?

The surgical setting presents many opportunities for cross-contamination and infection. The type of procedure, the individual characteristics of the patient (age, condition, immune status) and the clinical environment are all factors that act to determine the likelihood of infection occurring.

Infection control in a surgical environment is a crucial element of patient care. Patients who come into contact with pathogens, in their weakened-immune state, often suffer serious complications arising from treatment which can significantly increase the length of their hospital stay.

What infection control products does Paragon Care offer for surgical workers?

Our hospital grade disinfectant products are designed to provide peace of mind and reduce the risk of pathogen bioburden levels endangering patients.

Partnering with several of our brands — including REM SYSTEMS, Surgical Specialties and MediTron — we strive to provide products and consumables of the highest industry standard to aid in the prevention of healthcare associated infection.

Surgical Specialties, one of Australia’s largest independent distributors of contemporary medical devices, offer a wide range of advanced disinfectant products that work to innovatively and effectively reduce pathogen levels. Several of their products harness advanced technology to provide remote disinfection and reduce the risk posed to healthcare workers.

The THOR UVCⓇ is a UV-C emitting robot that harnesses room mapping and shadow reduction technology to deliver rapid and effective doses of constant wave of UV-C. 360 degree room scanning technology delivers a measured output of UV-C from multiple angles to maximise treatment coverage. With automatic decontamination reporting and a tested 99.9% bacterial kill time, the THOR UVCⓇ is unparalleled in its ability to efficiently decontaminate surface and air-borne infections.

Alongside the THOR UVCⓇ, Surgical Specialities offers the IlluviaⓇ HUAIRS which provides portable, low-noise and in-room UV-C and HEPA air decontamination. The IlluviaⓇ HUAIRS patented UV photolytic chamber decontaminates harmful pathogens at high air volumes to reduce airborne bacteria, odours and volatile organic compounds. .

The ability of THOR UVCⓇ and IlluviaⓇ HUAIRS to decontaminate both surface and airborne sources of infection is a critical component of healthcare disinfection processes. Paragon Care are committed to remaining at the forefront of advancements in this area and understand the absolute importance of infection control in medical surgical supplies.

What other medical specialities does Paragon Care offer infection control products for?

As a leading provider of medical equipment, devices, diagnostic products and consumables, Paragon Care offers products for the use of infection control across a wide array of specialties. Critical care, orthopaedics and urology are just a few examples of the areas through which we work to provide advanced, hospital-grade disinfectant equipment and products.

Why should you choose Paragon Care for medical surgical supplies?

Beyond infection control, Paragon Care offers a wide range of supplies, consumables and devices to be used in a surgical setting. The term surgery often prompts an image of complex equipment and devices, and whilst Paragon Care does provide advanced surgical equipment — including high powered BK Medical lasers and ultrasound equipment — we also understand the importance of comprehensive care for all surgical patients.

Our surgical portfolio also includes tools to be used in pain management, infusion therapy, temperature management and enteral feeding. Our experience has led us to develop procedure-specific procedural kits for all areas including surgery, ophthalmology, gynecology, heart and lung therapies and theatre.

Beyond the equipment, supplies and consumables that we offer, Paragon Care strives to provide all-inclusive services for our clients. Our business is based around our four strategic pillars (Specialty Diagnostics, Specialty Devices, Capital and Consumables and Service and Technology) to comprehensively service the needs of our customers. Our expert team of engineers are on hand to support the performance of your equipment through repair, maintenance and total equipment management. Should you require medical surgical supplies, particularly in the area of infection control, be sure to contact us today.

Few medical facilities operate without an infusion pump. This versatile piece of equipment delivers fluids into a patient’s body in a controlled manner and can be found in various settings, from hospitals to the home.

Despite their necessity, infusion pumps do not come without risks. It is paramount for healthcare providers to understand how to best use this equipment, the type of maintenance that is required, and strategies that should be implemented to mitigate harm occurring to the patient.

Paragon Care’s comprehensive product portfolio includes all the equipment necessary to provide infusion therapy, complemented by extensive medical equipment services. We are proud of the role we play in helping protect the health and wellbeing of your patients.

IV therapy explained

Infusion therapy enables medication and nutrients to be delivered to a patient in a consistent, controlled fashion.

In certain situations, a patient may not be able to receive liquid orally — perhaps they have sustained an injury to their mouth or have been placed in an induced coma. Infusion therapy is the next best option.

Alternatively, some medications are more effective when delivered intravenously. IV therapy is also often used to help patients rehydrate.

One of the most significant advantages of infusion therapy is that it allows for controlled dosing. Controlled dosing may be critical in relation to the effectiveness of the medication or alternatively permits the swift delivery of life-saving drugs.

The role of the infusion pump

There are many different types of infusion pumps. Pumps should only be used for their intended purpose; failure to adhere to manufacturer’s advice can put a patient at significant risk.

Infusion pumps can be divided into two broad categories: stationary, which sit at a patient’s bedside, and ambulatory, which can move with the patient. The latter is often used by patients who require infused medication on a regular basis and do not necessarily need to be monitored by a clinician. Patients receiving chemotherapy or treatment for diabetes, for example, may use an ambulatory infusion pump.

Within these categories there are numerous different types of infusion pumps, including large volume pumps, patient-controlled pumps, elastomeric pumps, syringe pumps, enteral pumps, and insulin pumps.

Safety issues

Infusion pumps may suffer from performance issues that put a patient’s wellbeing at risk. There is no one reason why performance issues occur. Sometimes, user error may be a contributing factor. Other times, hardware and software problems may be to blame. Regardless of the cause, any issue that affects the performance of an infusion pump may lead to under or over infusion.

Common infusion pump issues include:

• Electrical breakdowns
• Design faults
• Human error (providing the wrong dose, administering the wrong medication, incorrectly programming the pump)

Mitigating risk

Fortunately, there are a range of strategies that can be employed to reduce the risk of harm occurring to the patient.

As is the case with all types of equipment, proper training of all clinicians will help to reduce user error. If your medical facility utilises multiple types of infusion pumps, training should be implemented on each device.

NSW Health recommends a number of strategies to help protect patients being treated using an infusion pump, including:

• Positioning pumps away from potential sources of spillage.
• Never leaving a pump unattended until the desired flow has been established.
• Limiting the number of different types of infusion pumps your facility uses to avoid confusion and user error.
• Training staff appropriately.
• Removing all air from infusion pumps and lines before connecting them to patients.
• Monitoring fluid lines.
• Avoiding reconnecting partially emptied fluid bags.

Paragon Care — supplying high-quality equipment for all your healthcare needs

Infusion pumps are just one of the very many products available to healthcare providers through Paragon Care. Our goal to deliver the ultimate in healthcare today and tomorrow means we are constantly striving for ways to better serve the needs of our clients.

For more information about our product portfolio, range of medical equipment services, or to discuss how we can meet your infusion therapy needs, contact Paragon Care today.

The Covid-19 pandemic certainly impressed the importance of having resilient medical supply chains. Prior to the initial coronavirus outbreak, medical facilities may have had plans in place for an emergency situation. However, it’s unlikely that they could have imagined the specifics or the scale of Covid-19.

Supplies used for the purposes of infection control suddenly experienced unprecedented demand. In addition, breakdowns to global supply chains meant that the accessibility of consumable and capital products, unrelated to the fight against Covid-19, was also reduced.

In short, the availability of medical supplies in Australia has been a frequently discussed topic over the past eighteen months. Medical facilities that had resilient supply chains certainly fared better than those that did not. So, how do you go about ensuring that your medical facility is appropriately stocked, regardless of what else might be happening around the globe? It’s not an easy conundrum, but given recent events, one that is certainly worth considering and discussing.

What is a resilient supply chain?

Regardless of how experienced and well-trained your clinicians are, without appropriate medical supplies, they will simply struggle to provide patients with the assistance they need. The term ‘medical supplies’ often refers to consumable products — items that are disposed of after use, such as ultrasound probe covers. However, capital equipment can also fall under the general definition of medical supplies.

Having timely access to both capital and consumable products can be the difference between providing high-quality medical care and a patient experiencing a lengthy waiting and recovery period. A resilient supply chain can be defined as the ability to access such equipment and supplies in the face of changing circumstances.

It is not always easy to estimate the levels of stock you will require, particularly in an unforeseen and unprecedented medical emergency — such as the Covid-19 pandemic. However, market trends and statistical information can be used to help a healthcare manager make informed decisions about what medical supplies in Australia they are likely to need on a day-to-day and emergency basis.

Setting up a resilient supply chain for your facility

There are several key strategies that you can implement to ensure that your medical facility is well-equipped to provide high-quality patient care.

To start with, it’s recommended that you have a thorough digital system in place to track the use of supplies. Some consumable products — like procedural kits — will be used on a daily basis, meaning stock levels can quickly run low. Having an automated system in place to track supply levels will reduce the amount of manual work required as well as the risk that you will unexpectedly be left with limited stock.

Where possible, it’s also a good idea to use one provider for all your medical supply needs. This strategy can significantly reduce the amount of administration that is required when ordering supplies. It will also help to develop a strong and positive relationship with your provider, meaning they will be able to offer more tailored advice and recommendations.

Finally, consider partnering with a local provider of medical supplies in Australia. Here at Paragon Care, we have been providing top-quality supplies for medical facilities across the Australian and New Zealand regions for many years now. This has led us to develop a unique understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing metropolitan and regional facilities. Our experience means we can provide tailored advice that takes into account emerging trends across the local medical industry.

Paragon Care — your partner in medical supplies

Here at Paragon Care, we are proud of our extensive medical equipment portfolio. Having been established in 2008, we have grown to be a leading provider of medical supplies in Australia and are constantly looking for opportunities to further cement this reputation.

Our equipment portfolio is comprehensive and led by our many industry-specific brands. Whether you are in need of innovative ophthalmology devices or leading neonatal products, we are certain that we will be able to assist.

To learn more about our product portfolio, contact the friendly and experienced team at Paragon Care today. We are passionate about helping our clients to build resilient supply chains that support high-quality patient care.

Diagnostic medical devices help clinicians tailor timely and effective treatment plans. Without access to this healthcare equipment, it would be extremely difficult for doctors and nurses to provide an appropriate level of patient care.

Diagnostic equipment can be found in all types of healthcare facilities, from a general practitioner’s office to a laboratory. These medical devices also vary in terms of size and complexity.

The Paragon Care Diagnostics division includes a wide variety of products and services, designed to facilitate the needs of all clinicians. Continue reading to learn more about the products we have available and how to access more information.

Immunohaematology

Immunohaematology is the branch of medicine that studies the reactions between antigens that are found in blood cells and antibodies found in plasma. This information can be used to ascertain a broad range of clinical information, including whether blood is safe for transfusion.

The equipment required for this type of work is varied and comprehensive. Immulab, one of Paragon Care’s businesses, specialises in the design, manufacture, and distribution of a complete range of reagents and ancillary products used by immunohematologists. Immulab has been involved in the manufacture of these products since the 1930s and has an extensive history of providing customers with high-quality diagnostic equipment.

Laboratory

A laboratory simply couldn’t run without equipment. Pathologists working in this environment depend on a range of capital and consumable products to accurately perform tests and monitor results.

The quality of your laboratory equipment can have a direct impact on the accuracy of test results. A product like a pipette tip may seem small but that doesn’t mean you should be looking to cut corners on price or quality.

LabGear, another of Paragon Care’s businesses, is an experienced distribution partner for a broad range of laboratory equipment and consumables. From beakers to spectrophotometers, LabGear has everything you need to provide an accurate diagnosis.

In addition, working with LabGear as a supplier means you have timely access to our inventory of spare parts and trained technical engineers. In a laboratory setting, equipment that malfunctions or breaks down completely can have a significant impact on how quickly a clinician is able to confirm a diagnosis and commence treatment. LabGear and Paragon Care are committed to providing high-quality medical equipment services, meaning you don’t have to fret if repairs are required.

Pathology

Clinicians working in a range of medical specialities depend on pathologists to help arrive at a diagnosis. At Paragon Care, our product portfolio includes extensive equipment suitable for those in the autoimmune, microbiology, molecular, urinalysis, diabetes, and fertility fields.

We provide automated equipment, reagents, and services to support the valuable work performed by clinicians in these areas.

Paragon Care — more than just a supplier

We recognise that purchasing diagnostic equipment is a significant investment for most healthcare facilities. As such, we offer comprehensive customer support throughout the entire lifecycle of your asset.

Our friendly and knowledgeable customer service team are on hand to answer any questions you might have prior to purchase. With a dedicated support call centre, we can provide tailored technical and product-related assistance.

By working with Paragon Care, you will also benefit from access to our team of highly trained technicians. We offer nationwide service support via a team of over 50 engineers who can engage in preventative maintenance programs, repairs, and upgrades. We understand that any downtime to your equipment can have a significant impact on your ability to return test results in a timely manner. We strive to deliver the highest levels of service in a timely manner to cause minimal disruption.

Our technicians perform maintenance and repair procedures in full accordance with Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) standards, providing you with confidence that your diagnostic healthcare equipment is in safe hands.

For further information about our portfolio of diagnostic medical devices, contact the friendly team at Paragon Care today.

There are a broad variety of reasons as to why a patient may not be able to consume food and medication on their own. They may have sustained an injury that has reduced their ability to chew and break down food. They may have experienced a stroke, rendering part of their face paralysed. Infants often require enteral feeding if they are failing to gain weight or show a strong disinterest in their food.

Enteral feeding is a common medical process that requires an extensive variety of medical surgical supplies. Fortunately, Paragon Care’s experience in this area, combined with our commitment to providing our clients with the finest quality products, devices, and equipment, makes stocking your healthcare clinic simple.

What is enteral feeding?

Enteral feeding is the process of ingesting food or drugs via the gastrointestinal tract. In a healthcare context, enteral feeding often refers to the placement of a tube that goes directly to the small intestine.

Patients who require enteral feeding often have some sort of injury or illness that prevents them from consuming food in a regular fashion; however, their gastrointestinal tract still functions correctly. Enteral feeding, therefore, differs from infusion therapy in that the food or medication is not delivered directly to the bloodstream.

Broadly speaking, there are three different types of enteral feeding:

• Orogastric, in which a tube is passed through the mouth, the oropharynx, the oesophagus, and down into the stomach.
• Nasogastric, in which a tube is passed through the nose, the back of the throat, through the oesophagus, and down into the stomach.
• Gastronomy (also known as jejunostomy), in which a tube is inserted through the abdominal wall, directly into the stomach.

While enteral feeding is a relatively common procedure, there is risk for potential complications. These include aspiration — where food travels into the lungs — infection of the tube, tube dislodgement, and tube blockage.

Products required for enteral feeding

A range of products are needed to ensure enteral feeding is conducted in a safe and effective manner.

The types of products required depend on the type of enteral feeding being administered to the patient (orgastric, nasogastric, or gastronomy). Typically these products can include feeding pumps, feeding tubes, tube extension sets, syringes, and additional accessories.

Enteral feeding can be used on both a short and long term basis, depending on the patient’s needs. Many patients with chronic conditions require enteral feeding for years at a time. As such, the products need to be accessible, and easily cleaned and replaced, to reduce the risk of infection or misuse.

Paragon Care — your partner for medical surgical supplies

When it comes to medical surgical supplies, Paragon Care has got your healthcare facility covered.

Not only do we provide all of the equipment and accessories required by patients undergoing enteral feeding, our product portfolio extends across all facets of medical care. Whether you are looking for capital equipment or consumable supplies, we pride ourselves on providing our clients with the highest quality products.

Our portfolio is complemented by our service and maintenance offerings. Our team of service technicians are trained and knowledgeable and understand the importance of keeping your equipment up and running if you are to best serve the needs of your patients.

If you are looking to purchase medical surgical supplies, including enteral feeding products, contact Paragon Care today.

Urologists make use of a range of tests when diagnosing conditions affecting the kidneys, bladder, ureter, and other parts of the urological system. The intricate nature of the urological system means that common symptoms, including frequent and painful urination, lower abdominal pain, and pelvic discomfort, could have many potential causes. It is not uncommon for doctors to perform several tests before discovering what is really going on.

To perform these tests, clinicians naturally rely on equipment. Diagnosing an issue may involve taking blood and urine samples, conducting imaging tests, or monitoring urine flow.

Urology solutions make up just one of Paragon Care’s many product portfolios. As a leading provider of surgical equipment in Australia, we are proud to supply our customers with a number of high-quality devices to aid in the detection and diagnosis of urological conditions.

Diagnostic equipment

The function of the urological system is to remove waste from your blood, a process from which urine is created. The kidneys, pelvis, ureters, bladder, and urethra all contribute to this process.

A variety of things may cause urological disease. Old age is a common factor — for both men and women — and bacteria that enter the urinary tract can cause several different short-term and chronic problems.

Typically, when patients report symptoms of urological disease, clinicians will start by conducting blood and urine tests. The visual, chemical and microscopic aspects of urine can reveal a significant amount about the health of your urinary system. The equipment required to perform these tests includes everything from personal protective equipment (gloves and goggles) to reagents and centrifuges.

Another diagnostic approach is to use imaging tests, including a pyelogram, cystogram, sonogram, CT scan, or ultrasound of the kidneys, ureter, and prostate. These tests are designed to reveal any blockages that may be preventing organs from performing their essential functions. These blockages may be relatively harmless — as is the case with kidney stones — or could signal something more serious is afoot, like a tumour.

Imaging tests tend to require a combination of consumable devices and capital equipment. In the case of ultrasound, for example, a clinician will require access to both the ultrasound machine and a needle guide and probe cover to reduce the risk of infection occurring.

Traditional vs. point-of-care devices

Traditionally, clinicians performing these types of tests had to take the sample, send it away to a laboratory for testing and wait a few days to receive the result. This process ultimately delays the ability of the clinician to arrive at a diagnosis and recommend an appropriate treatment option.

While some tests still need to be performed in this manner, an increasing number of blood, urine, and imaging screenings can be conducted using point-of-care devices. These machines can travel with doctors — be it to a patient’s bedside or a regional clinic — and drastically reduce the period between when a patient reports their symptoms and when treatment can begin.

There are obvious advantages to this, including a quicker diagnosis, more appropriate treatment options, and improved treatment outcomes. Urology is just one of the many medical specialties exploring this type of diagnostic screening with point-of-care ultrasound machines and point-of-care blood chemistry analysers.

Paragon Care — your one-stop shop for urology solutions

Of course, the role of a urologist does not stop at diagnostics. Treating urological conditions requires equipment, devices, and consumable products. As a leading provider of surgical equipment in Australia, Paragon Care is proud to support our customers with an extensive portfolio of urological equipment.

Our range of consumable products include needle guides, covers, biopsy grids, and closed system transfer devices to support the safe delivery of hazardous drugs. The risk of infection remains high for urological conditions, as it does for any type of disease, and Paragon Care’s line of hospital grade disinfection products aid in the prevention of healthcare associated infection.

Laser and shockwave therapy devices can be used to great effect to treat everything from kidney stones to bladder cancer. Acknowledging that diseases and disorders affecting the urological system are often quite painful, our range of anaesthesia delivery systems, needle guides and specialty covers will help clinicians provide comprehensive patient care.

For more information about our range of urology solutions, contact the friendly and experienced team at Paragon Care today.

In simple terms, an infection occurs when a foreign organism enters your body, resulting in disease. These organisms can include both viruses and bacteria, as well as fungi and parasites.

The symptoms arising from an infection typically range in severity from causing mild discomfort to being life-threatening.

Common infections include:

• Flu
• Chickenpox
• Strep throat
• Ringworm
• Malaria

While these tend to be easily treated, more complex infections including HIV and polio are very serious.

Infections can be acquired in all sorts of ways, presenting a unique and on-going challenge for healthcare professionals. In fact, infection occurring in a healthcare setting — whether that be through contact from other patients or from equipment and instruments themselves, is a significant problem.

Paragon Care understands the challenges faced by clinicians and are committed to providing quality products to aid in infection control.

Consumables, equipment, and supplies used in infection control

Infection can occur at any stage of the treatment process, making it a complex issue. Approaching the problem with a risk-management mindset can protect healthcare workers, patients, and visitors alike. Professional healthcare bodies, such as the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services, recommend using a two-tiered approach to infection management.

This approach is made up of ‘standard precautions’ — built around the assumption that all people potentially carry diseased microorganisms — and ‘transmission-based precautions’ , which are used in addition to standard precautions when it is believed that a patient may be suffering from a particularly severe form of infection, such as scabies.

A range of consumables, healthcare equipment, and supplies facilitate these precautions. Paragon Care has an extensive portfolio of capital and consumable products that can be used to prevent infection transmission across the following key areas:

Urology

The urological system is prone to infection, which is why many patients end up requiring treatment in the first place. Equipment used in urology-related diagnosis and treatment — such as ultrasounds — require unique consumables to reduce the risk of patient-to-patient transmission. These consumables, which include non latex ultrasound probe covers prevent cross-contamination to ensure a safer, more hygienic patient experience.

Oncology

Patients undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatments often suffer from a weakened immune system, making them far more susceptible to infection.

Paragon Care and their associated brand, REM SYSTEMS, understand the unique difficulties experienced by cancer patients. Equashield — a closed system transfer device — is favoured by many of our customers working in urology, as it protects both clinicians and patients alike from the risks associated with hazardous drug leaks, sprays, and aerosol that can be leaked during chemotherapy drug preparation, administration, and disposal.

Surgery

Surgical site infection (SSI) is a significant problem that can lead to prolonged recovery times and further health complications. There are a range of consumables on offer that can reduce the risk of SSI infection, including procedure specific surgical kits that can be disposed of after use.

Pain management is also an essential aspect of surgical treatment. Paragon Care offers a range of anaesthesia delivery systems, needle guides, and speciality covers to reduce the risk of infection transmission in a recovery environment.

Now more so than ever, infection control is a foremost concern for healthcare workers and patients. Fortunately, Paragon Care’s extensive range of consumables, equipment, and supplies can be used to effectively manage the risk of infection, contributing to improved patient care. Contact us today to discuss our full portfolio of products.

It’s no secret that all industries need to be looking at ways they can reduce their environmental footprint and operate in a more sustainable capacity. Suppliers of medical equipment in Australia are not exempt from this.

It’s an unfortunate fact that many medical equipment supplies are single-use items. Reusability is often not an option if crucial infection control principles are to be followed. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t steps that medical equipment suppliers and their customers can take to help contribute to sustainability efforts.

Sustainability across the lifecycle of an asset

When we talk about sustainability, often what first pops to mind is waste. This attitude is fair enough — the most recent statistics from the ABS state that Australia generated 76 million tons of waste across the 2018-2019 financial year, a 10 percent increase on previous figures.

While attention needs to go into how we dispose of products, there are many other phases across the entire lifecycle of a medical device where manufacturers, suppliers, and customers can improve sustainability efforts.

Material selection: When it comes to recycling, not all materials are created equal. While glass and aluminium can be 100 percent recycled, there are many different types of plastic that are non-biodegradable. The choice of manufacturing material can also have a significant impact on the longevity and durability of a device.

Investing in eco-friendly materials (that don’t interfere with the functionality of a device) is a simple step that manufacturers can take to reduce their environmental impact.

Power source: Many medical devices require a power source to function. In a world where energy is an increasingly valuable commodity, manufacturers are always looking for opportunities to reduce their reliance on greenhouse gases.

Opting to use eco-friendly rechargeable batteries, for example, is a step that may help achieve this goal. Devices that can be set to low-energy or power-saving mode when not in use also contribute in the fight towards a more sustainable industry.

Disposal: The nature of healthcare means that some products — like gloves, for example — must be single-use only to protect the health and safety of both patients and clinicians. The risk of healthcare acquired infection (complications that result due to medical treatment) is relatively high and is mitigated only through strict infection control protocols.

However, many in the industry believe that there are still plenty of opportunities to cut back on disposable, single-use items or at the very least, ensure they are made from biodegradable materials.

Reusable items are not necessarily environmentally friendly either. Any product that is designed to be used on multiple occasions will need to undergo extensive sterilisation between patients. The chemicals used in this process often aren’t particularly sustainable.

There is no easy answer to the question of disposable vs reusable. However, the more attention we pay to the problem, the more likely we are to come up with a solution.

Packaging: Finally, packaging. It’s no secret that both capital equipment and consumable supplies are often delivered in a fair amount of packaging. Some of this is necessary and serves an important protective function. Other times it’s excessive.

Minimising packaging waste and harnessing eco-friendly packaging materials are two strategies that can be implemented to great effect to reduce your environmental footprint.

There is no quick fix to issues surrounding sustainability. This is particularly true for companies involved in the production and distribution of medical equipment in Australia, where decisions need to be made in the best interests of patients. However, being aware of a problem is the first step towards finding a solution so engaging in conversations around sustainability and the environmental impact of our chosen medical equipment supplies and devices should be a priority for all.