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IS YOUR FIRST AID KIT RIGHT FOR YOUR EMPLOYEES?

Keep your employees safe and OSHA-compliant with a first aid kit. OSHA does not require a specific first aid kit for general industry but does require adequate first aid supplies be readily available.  All industries are required to comply regardless of the type of work performed by the employees but the type of first aid kits vary based on risk. Offices are considered to be low risk and don’t require the same type supplies as high-risk jobs like a manufacturing facility. OSHA does not mandate the exact first aid kit, but they do require the first aid kit correspond to the hazards that can be reasonably expected to occur in the workplace.

First aid kit recommendations are:

  • Conduct a risk assessment and develop a first aid kit specific to your industry reflecting the kinds of injuries that could occur.
  • If any first aid training is needed to properly use the supplies, determine what kind and make available to all employees.
  • Although all employees should have access to the supplies and training, it is a good idea to designate a first aid leader to manage supply inventory.
  • Store the kit in an area that is readily available for emergency access.
  • No matter the risk level, all employers should consider an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Often, local fire and rescue service or emergency medical professionals will come to your workplace and offer training and/or give advice to the best first aid supplies.

ANSI (The American National Standard Institute) provides a list of non-mandatory minimum requirements for workplace first aid kits. The ANSI lists are divided into two categories—Class A and Class B. The classes are decided based on the potential severity and likelihood of occurrence, the number of first aid kits needed, the physical layout of the work environment, and the remoteness of worksites to emergency services.

Class A is recommended for common workplace injuries, such as minor cuts, abrasions and sprains. This class is usually appropriate for offices, warehouses, light assembly or packaging.

Class B is recommended for high-risk environments such as industrial manufacturing, welding, woodworking, fabrication or printers.

For more information about ANSI workplace first aid kits, classes, types, and standards, check out this blog. For all your workplace first aid kit supplies, contact Fort Smith Medical and Janitorial Supply today, 800.632.7876.

Cover Photo by Mat Napo on Unsplash

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PET OWNERS TAKE THEIR PET’S HEALTHCARE SERIOUS

The US pet industry topped out at over $123 billion in sales last year, according to a recent study conducted by APPA. Vet care and related products made up $34.3 billion of that amount.

Another survey conducted by financial website LendEDU, found that nearly half of all Americans spend the same or more on their pet’s healthcare than they do on themselves. Veterinarians serve an important role to pet owners much like a pediatrician to parents and their child. This means that pet owners don’t take selecting a pet healthcare professional lightly. In addition to knowledge, a veterinarian must have a variety of medical equipment readily available In order to treat the injuries and illnesses of pets and other animals while meeting pet owners’ high expectations and standards. Equipment and tools include surgical supplies, x-ray, and ultrasound machines. A veterinarian’s day-to-day tasks typically involve treating wounds, diagnosing illnesses, performing surgery, administering vaccines, and prescribing medicines. Having the right equipment on hand is crucial to being able to perform those day-to-day tasks and any emergencies.

To keep your veterinarian office well-equipped and ready to serve the needs of pets and their owner’s expectations, Fort Smith Medical and Janitorial Supply has all your pet supplies on hand and ready to deliver to your office. A few items ready for delivery are medical syringes, SkinStitch medical adhesive, blood collection needles, insulin needles and more. Contact Fort Smith Medical and Janitorial Supply today, 800.632.7876, to get your products and conveniently delivered to your office front door.

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MANAGING ASTHMA FOR A BETTER QUALTY LIFE

Being asthmatic is something that impacts every aspect of life. From doing housework to working out, moving air in an out of the lungs is difficult with asthma. When not controlled, it can become a potentially serious and even life-threatening disease. Unfortunately, there isn’t currently a cure for this life-altering disease, but there are ways to manage it allowing for a healthy, active life. The American Lung Association offers these six steps for managing asthma for a better quality life:

  1. Make the most of your medical visits by asking questions about asthma management and treatment.
  2. Create an asthma management plan. Work with your doctor to include key information about managing your asthma.
  3. Keep track of symptoms to help you stay in control. Keeping a journal of asthma symptoms such as coughing, chest tightness, wheezing, activity limitation, and fatigue will help you and your healthcare provider determine if your treatment plan is working or could use some adjustments.
  4. Understand your medication and how it works best to treat your asthma. It is important to take it as directed by your medical provider.
  5. Reduce asthma triggers by limiting or avoiding exposure.
  6. Learn asthma self-management skills. The American Lung Association offers an asthma basic online course to help asthma patients live a better quality life.

Although asthma is a chronic condition, it shouldn’t interfere with life. Contact Fort Smith Medical & Janitorial Supply today for at home and medical office supplies, 800.632.7876.

Cover Photo by Emma Simpson on Unsplash

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It’s National Safety Month!

National Safety Month

June is National Safety Month which is where people team up with the National Safety Council and spread the importance of safety standards in homes, workplaces, and communities. Fort Smith Medical & Janitorial Supply wants to make sure you and everyone else are using great safety standards. We feel that this blog here has all of the important information that you need to know about being prepared for safety. You can also check out the blog by clicking the image below.

National Safety Month
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Reducing Scarring With SkinStitch®

reduce scarring

Incidents that require stitches most often leave a lifelong reminder with a scar. Anytime reduced scarring can be provided for a patient will earn any medical professional bonus points. When used properly, SkinStitch® Medical Adhesive is the right tool to dramatically reduce scarring. The product is a part of the cyanoacrylate family, which hardens on contact with moisture. The controlled edge design optimizes the surgeon’s expertise, and it has a faster drying time.

surgeon

The SkinStitch® product can be used in place of sutures or staples to close wounds in conjunction with deep dermal stitches achieving the needed strength to keep the wound closed while healing. It can also be used to close wounds more than three inches in length. SkinStitch® acts as a microbial barrier to protect wounds from infection.

skinstitch
Photo Credit: SkinStitch®

The patented “hockey-stick” design allows for ultimate control during the application process optimizing the surgeon’s expertise and experience. The high-quality adhesive interacts immediately with the tissue to form a strong, painless bond and has a faster drying time than other products. be used to close wounds more than three inches in length. There is no residue or harmful toxic components.

surgery

Under the proper storage conditions, the shelf life is guaranteed for two years from the date of manufacture. No refrigeration is necessary but in extremely warm climates the interior temperatures may rise resulting in reduced shelf life.

SkinStitch® has been helping patients for more than 20 years. Contact Fort Smith Medical & Janitorial Supply to order SkinStitch® today, 800.632.7876.

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Delivery – A Pandemic Silver Lining

deliver
delivery

We’re two years into the Covid-19 pandemic and for the majority of people, just mentioning it gives an immediate sense of negativity. However, with every cloud there is a silver lining. I like to think the pandemic offered several silver linings such as curbside pick-up and home deliveries. These services became a lifeline for all sorts of businesses during the pandemic. Consumers have become accustomed to these options and still utilize them although most retailers and restaurants have returned to pre-pandemic capacity and business hours. In fact, a J.D. Power survey dated March 2021 found that consumers across all generations embrace online and mobile apps for shopping and dining needs. “…there was a noticeable increase in both curbside and home delivery across all sectors.” The survey went on to point out the three key areas that differentiate online ordering and curbside pick-up/home delivery experiences.

free delivery
  • Ease of Use Drivers Frequency of Use – The survey found that more customers use a specific service – either delivery or pick-up. Satisfaction is driven by good user-oriented application design driving adoption.
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  • Timeliness and Level of Engagement – Getting orders right and fulfilled in a timely manner along with consumers having a clear idea of how the process works and status updates are high satisfaction drivers.
delivery bag
  • Friendliness – No matter how much technology we have, courtesy and friendliness still go a long way.

Fort Smith Medical and Janitorial Supply offers a wide variety of products for just about any profession – aestheticians, chiropractic offices, eye clinics, home health, tattoo supplies, veterinarians and more. All products can easily be ordered online and delivered right to your business. Delivery options include weekly deliveries to Northwest Arkansas, Russellville, and Oklahoma. Local deliveries are made several times a week. If you have a question about a product or delivery time, give a friendly FSMJS representative a call, 800.632.7876.