Page 28 - Norco Patient Orientation Handbook e-book

FOR PATIENTS CONFINED TO A BED

Several pieces of equipment can assist patients’ confined to their bed:
1. Adjustable hospital type bed in the home allows most of the bedridden to change body position on
regular intervals. These beds can also be adjusted into the sitting position to allow the patient to sit up
straight. All hospital type beds should be set up with side rails for protection against falling out of bed.
2. Special mattresses available to help improve patient comfort and prevent sores from forming.
3. Wheeled over-the-bed tables for a variety of personal uses.
4. Trapeze bars to help the patient change positions or move out of the bed. These can be attached to the
head of the hospital-type bed.
5. Bedside commodes assist those unable to ambulate to the bathroom.
6. Patient lifters assist patient transfers from their bed to a wheelchair or commode.
Contact Norco for more information.

“Never smoke in bed and never allow anyone to

smoke while there is an oxygen system in use”

BATHROOM SAFETY

The bathroom is usually the most dangerous place in the household. Wet floors increase the danger of someone
slipping or falling. Consider the following tips to improve the accessibility and safety to the bathroom:

1. Covering floors with carpeting and/or non-slip rugs to help prevent falling or slipping on wet surfaces.
2. Keep the floor clear of all towels or clothing.
3. Grab bars allow individuals support while getting in and out of the bathtub or shower. Non-slip strips or
mats may be installed in the bottom of the tub or shower to prevent falling or slipping. The use of a bath or
shower bench further assists individuals' stability by allowing them to sit in the tub or shower. A hand-held
shower hose helps those individuals in need of more control of the shower spray.
4. Elevated toilet seats and toilet safety rails aid in the transfer to and from the toilet. The use of drop-arm
commodes are also available for those individuals who are either non-ambulatory or require the use of a
wheelchair.
5. Always read the labels of medicines before taking them and discard if out-of-date. All poisonous solutions
should be kept out of medicine cabinets.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

Hazard Precautions:

1. All electrical appliances should be at least three to four feet from any sink, tub, shower, or stove. Do not
touch any electrical device with wet hands or when standing on a wet floor. Use of such devices can cause
electrical hazards if dropped in water or used around a wet surface.
2. Do not use electrical devices with worn or frayed wires. Contact Norco for repairs or replacement on both
rented and sold equipment.
3. Most electrical home medical equipment items use a three-prong, grounded connector. If the home has
three-prong receptacles, the medical equipment may be used. Older homes may only have two-prong
outlets. Norco advises that three-prong grounded receptacles be installed for safety. "Cheater" adapters
should only be used as a temporary measure until upgraded electrical repairs can be made.