Understanding Behavioral Health

Posted February 26, 2021 by Brennan Carey

Behavioral Health is frequently assumed to be synonymous with Mental Health, but there is a subtle yet key difference. The World Health Organization defines Mental Health as “a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.”

Behavioral Health is defined as “the connection between behaviors and the health and well-being of the body, mind, and spirit.” Mental Health plays a part in Behavioral Health, but so do our physical habits and behaviors.

According to the Maine Health Access Foundation, for every 10 people in a doctor’s office, seven are there seeking care for reasons related to behavioral health. As a result, many healthcare providers have started to integrate Behavioral Health care into their Primary Care practices. Behavioral Health patients generally require various levels of support for a wide variety of needs. Integrating Behavioral Health care comes with new and unique challenges for the healthcare facilities and the employees.

Whether a hospital, a rehabilitation center, or any other number of facilities that may treat a Behavioral Health patient, having the proper equipment and furniture will make a huge difference in the level of care that can be provided. Using the right equipment will allow the employee to provide ultimate care while ensuring the comfort and safety of the patient.

Nouvm’s Behavioral Health line is made to order for the comfort and security of the patients who need it most. Caregivers can be assured knowing that we will manufacture casework that will help eliminate pinch points, reduce access to assembly points and has no hooks.

We use steel cam and dowels for assembly, steel-on-steel construction for the best security available. This assembly is not only strong and secure but in the event of serious abuse or damage allows you to easily have parts replaced. We also offer rounded edges and sloped tops to reduce the risk of ligature and garroting.

All of our Behavioral Health Beds, Wardrobes, Bedside Cabinets and Work Desks ship fully assembled which assures accurate alignment of the cabinets as well as reduced installation costs. Keep your patients safe and comfortable with Novum!

If you would like to learn more about Behavioral Health and how our Behavioral Health Furniture can help you better treat patients just give us a call! Our team is here to answer your questions and find the perfect equipment for your facility: (800) 274-2472

What Biden’s “Buy American” Executive Order Means for Healthcare Facilities

Posted February 5, 2021 by Brennan Carey

President Biden recently signed an Executive Order to support American manufacturers, businesses, and workers to “ensure that our future is made in all of America by all of America’s workers.”

The “Buy American” plan ensures that when the federal government spends taxpayer dollars, they will be spent on American made goods by American workers, with American-made components manufactured at companies that are based in America.

This Executive Order fulfills President Biden’s promise to make “Buy American” real, and close loopholes that allow companies to offshore production and jobs while still qualifying for domestic preferences. Making sure you are buying 100% American Made products.

Here at Novum Medical Products, we are proud to be a leading manufacturer and provider of Healthcare Equipment and Furnishing for a wide range of medical facilities across North America. Through our manufacturing and assembling facility in Buffalo, NY as well as our United States based partner manufacturers, we are proud to say our core Pediatric, Furnishing and Specialty Stainless Steel equipment and products are made right here in the USA.

Novum Medical Products provides seamless solutions for all types of healthcare facilities, healthcare designers and equipment planners. Our competitive product warranties double down on our commitment to quality and our primary goal of providing solutions for our customers. We are also known for our custom fabricating capabilities and partnerships with other medical equipment manufacturers for OEM and fulfillment services.

We know how important quality and durability is in the medical field so you can use our products with confidence. We were recently ISO 9001:2015 Quality Certified, showing once again that quality is the foundation of our corporate structure.

If you have any questions about what the “Buy American” Executive Order means for American manufacturers and buyers in the healthcare industry, give us a call! Our team is happy to answer any questions you may have. 1 (800) 274-2742

Are COVID-19 Precautions Leading to Less Cases This Flu Season? Yes, for now.

Posted January 26, 2021 by Brennan Carey

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, it is important for public health experts to keep an eye on other respiratory illnesses – including the seasonal flu. Coming into flu season, many health experts feared an overlap of the seasonal flu and corona virus, or a “twindemic”.

Fortunately, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that “Seasonal influenza activity in the United States remains lower than usual for this time of year.” While many healthcare systems are strained with COVID-19 patient surges, most states are reporting low levels of the flu.

In fact, just one — Oklahoma — is reporting “moderate” levels of flulike illness as of Dec. 12, according to the CDC.

In an interview with AARP William Schaffner, M.D., medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases says that “Our colleagues in Australia and New Zealand attribute their very low influenza season to the combination of both lots of flu vaccine but also being quite compliant with the recommendation to stay at home, [avoid] large groups, and wear a mask.”

The CDC concludes their report on low flu cases so far by leaving us with some Key Points:

Flu activity is unusually low at this time but may increase in the coming months.
An annual flu vaccine is the best way to protect against flu and its potentially serious complications.
If you haven’t gotten your flu vaccine yet, get vaccinated now.
There are also flu antiviral drugs that can be used to treat flu illness.

Dr. Schaffner added that COVID-19 precautions here in the United States are contributing to our low flu rates so far. He cautioned, however, that low flu cases so far shouldn’t be taken as a guarantee that the rest of the season will be light as winter tends to drive people to gather more indoors. Schaffner says it isn’t too late to get your flu vaccine if you haven’t already!

Meet Novum’s Popular Stainless Steel Bassinet Line

Posted January 19, 2021 by Brennan Carey

Our heavy-gauge, polished stainless steel bassinets are a client favorite because of their durability and functionality. They’re built to withstand the beating a bassinet will inevitably take, and come with a Lifetime Warranty so your facility is always prepared.

Each bassinet is equipped with four 3” casters. 2 of the casters are swivel casters, and the other 2 are brake casters which securely lock the bassinet in place.

The deep and secure basket well holds the basket perfectly in place, ensuring your newborn can rest safely. Even if big brother or sister runs up to see their new sibling and tugs on the basket, it isn’t going anywhere.

Several Configurations are available which include bassinets with a drawer and bottom shelf, a drawer and a 12” closed cabinet, just a closed cabinet, an open cabinet, an end drawer, and a bassinet with an open bin. All bassinets come with quiet, self-closing cabinets and drawers that allow you to access the generous storage spaces without waking the baby.

If you’re looking for a warmer aesthetic, we also offer our stainless steel bassinets with wood facing 3D Laminate fronts! These bassinets come with the same safety and durability as our standard stainless steel bassinets and have the same great features, and are available in several different configurations.

If you’d like to learn more about our stainless steel bassinet line, or if you’d like to place an order just give us a call! (800) 274-2742.

How to Clean and Disinfect Your Medical Office

Posted December 14, 2020 by Brennan Carey

Keeping your medical office clean and disinfected keeps you and your patients safe. This is true any time of the year, but especially so now. With the coronavirus still spreading across the country and flu season upon us, eradicating germs is more important now than ever before.

Here’s how you can get started with cleaning and disinfecting your medical office:

Cleaning vs. Disinfecting vs. Sanitizing

In the age of COVID-19, you’ve likely heard a lot of different terms thrown around. Cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing have all become commonplace in our vocabulary. But what exactly is the difference between these three?

Cleaning removes all dust, dirt, and debris
Sanitizing removes some of the bacteria on an item’s surface
Disinfecting removes or inactivates almost all of the bacteria and viruses on an item’s surface

As such, while many of us use the term “sanitizing,” it is better to disinfect rather than sanitize. Disinfecting removes more bacteria and viruses than sanitizing. However, you must first clean the surface before disinfecting, as a disinfectant is more effective once all of the dirt and debris has been removed (learn more below).

Wear the appropriate gear

Cleaning potentially contaminated areas can put your employees at risk. Make sure that they’re wearing the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep them safe from germs. Additionally, employees should be wearing disposable cleaning gloves while they’re cleaning and disinfecting services.

Clean and then disinfect

As we said before, you need to clean a surface before you can disinfect it. This is because disinfectant cannot work to its full potential if the surface is still covered in dirt, dust, or debris. To get started, then, clean your surface with soap and warm water. Dry it off, and then spray it with the appropriate disinfectant (finding the right disinfectant is crucial, as not all disinfectants work on the same bacteria).

It is vital that you let the disinfectant sit on the surface for at least 10 minutes. Many people spray a surface with disinfectant and then immediately wipe it. However, this doesn’t give the disinfectant enough time to kill all of the bacteria and germs that may exist. Only after ten minutes have passed should you wipe down your surface.

Clean and disinfect immediately after a patient has been in the room

Bacteria can linger on surfaces for hours, even days. To reduce the risk of infection, clean a room immediately after a patient has left. Here is a step-by-step of what you should do:

Put on all appropriate PPE and cleaning gear (see above)
Replace all linens, towels, and gowns, even if a patient didn’t use them
Throw out the trash
Gather and sterilize any used instruments or equipment, replacing them with a new set
Clean all surfaces with soap and warm water
Disinfect all surfaces with an appropriate disinfectant

Don’t forget soft surfaces

While high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, electronic devices, pens, and tables need to be frequently cleaned, don’t forget about soft surfaces. These include chairs, couches, beds, carpet, and other furniture in a waiting room or patient room. Since many of these surfaces are made of fabric, microfiber, or leather, you’ll want to read their labels carefully to learn the proper cleaning methods. You can also read over our guides on cleaning mattresses and iSeries Recliners.

To learn more about cleaning and disinfecting your medical office, read through our blog or contact Novum Medical Products today at 1-800-274-2742.

Preparing Your Practice for Flu Season During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Posted December 1, 2020 by Brennan Carey

Flu season is always a challenging time for medical practitioners, but it is even more so this year. The COVID-19 Pandemic is still raging across the country. As such, we will be dealing with the spread of both the coronavirus and the flu. Since individuals can contract these illnesses at the same time, it is imperative to protect your patients and staff. Here are a few ways to get you started:

Limit how many people are in your clinic at the same time

Preparing Your Practice for Flu Season During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The best way to limit the spread of the coronavirus and the flu is to limit public gatherings. This is especially important for medical practices. Individuals suffering from either illness may come in for treatment, exposing vulnerable patients. While in-person visits are still necessary, you can limit how many patients arrive at one time.

Telehealth

Virtual care can treat healthy patients or patients with easily diagnosable issues. It can also help your staff determine if a patient needs an in-person visit or not. Nevertheless, it is not without drawbacks. Be open to constant feedback from patients and staff to ensure a seamless experience.

Scale by specialty

During the spring, many medical practices scaled back their elective procedures. Now that cases of COVID-19 and the flu are rising, medical practitioners should scale back these procedures once more. This will reduce the number of patients and ensure everyone receives the care they need.

Provide clear guidance to patients

By instituting the above changes, some confusion may arise. Thankfully, you have many ways to keep your patients informed. Your website, social media, and emails should be up-to-date with the latest information. You can also post signs throughout your practice reminding visitors to wear a mask and stay 6 feet apart.

Prepare your waiting rooms

There will be instances where patients will have to come into the office. As such, limit the potential spread with a clean, socially distanced waiting room. While not easy, you can make it work by following these steps:

Keep chairs 6 feet apart
Provide the option for patients to wait in their cars until their allotted time
Schedule sick patients during one block of time and healthy patients during another
Clean and sanitize the waiting room multiple times throughout the day
Get rid of high-touch items such as magazines or pens

Encourage patients to get their flu shot

While there is currently no vaccine for the coronavirus, there is one for the flu. As a medical practitioner, you know the importance of getting a flu shot, but your patients may not. Lecturing them will only do so much. Instead, remind them how easy it is to get a flu shot this year. Provide a list of flu shot locations and remind them that flu shots are almost always free.

Protect your staff

From nurses to receptionists, your staff is at a high risk of contracting the coronavirus or the flu. Plus, if they catch one of these illnesses, they could spread it to your patients. Protect your staff by using PPE, sanitizing surfaces frequently, and enforcing social distancing. They should also check themselves for symptoms frequently, getting tested if they portray any signs of COVID-19.

The coronavirus isn’t going away, and neither is the flu. Contact Novum Medical Products to see how our medical products and equipment can help your practice during the 2020 flu season.

NOVUM MEDICAL PRODUCTS CELEBRATES ISO 9001:2015 QUALITY CERTIFICATION

Posted November 4, 2020 by Brennan Carey

Official Press Release

Contact: Jack Manzella, Marketing Coordinator

Company: Novum Medical Products, LLC

Phone: (800)274-2742

Email: jackmanzella@novummed.com

Website: www.novummed.com

NOVUM MEDICAL PRODUCTS CELEBRATES ISO 9001:2015 QUALITY CERTIFICATION

Novum Medical Products, a manufacturer and provider of medical equipment and furnishings, is proud to announce that this past September, the company was certified by the NSF accreditation body with ISO 9001:2015 Certification – showing once again that quality is the foundation of our corporate structure.

ISO 9001 provides a set of uniform requirements for a quality management system. The standard is based on several quality management principles, including a strong customer focus, support of top management, the process approach, and continual improvement.

Our core values, values Novum’s management and its employees adhere to each day, are to Commit to and Own the daily and individual responsibilities required to operate a business where quality is at its foundation.

“This is just one more step in the evolution for our company whose sole purpose is to provide quality healthcare solutions to the marketplace.” – Joe Manzella, President & Managing Partner. “Novum Medical Products is proud of this achievement and this certification and fully appreciates the long-term commitment to our continuous improvement.”

Novum Medical’s products are used in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and Surgical Centers throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the Middle East.

Novum’s all-encompassing product line provides facilities with all the necessary equipment and furniture to properly take care of their patients and maximize the staff’s ability to do their jobs. Our product line includes Pediatric Products, Complete Room Furnishing Solutions, and Steel Based Medical Equipment including IV Poles and Instrument Tables. Novum is also known for its custom fabricating capabilities and its partnerships with other medical equipment manufacturers for OEM and fulfillment services.

Novum will continue to provide its customers and partners with quality products and services that they can count on. To learn more about our ISO 9001:2015 Certification, click here and view our official certificate.

If you have any questions about our quality assurance or would simply like to learn more, give the Novum team a call. We would be glad to talk to you about what makes Novum stand out and rise above the competition – Quality. (800) 274-2742.

Novum Medical ISO9001 Certification Press Release Download

Is My Hand Sanitizer Safe? FDA Hand Sanitizer Updates

Posted July 28, 2020 by Brennan Carey

When the Coronavirus Pandemic began, hand sanitizer was selling out in stores throughout the country. Name brand sanitizers like Purell could not keep up with the newly increased demand, leaving stores empty shelved and customers empty handed. Some people even purchased excessive amounts of hand sanitizer, only to sell it at marked up prices and make a profit.

The increased demand resulted in companies scrambling to create their own sanitizer, or partner with a company that could produce sanitizer. A boom of new hand sanitizer brands ensued; each made a little bit differently. The demand rushed production of these new sanitizers without allowing for proper testing and FDA approval.

Some were liquid sanitizers with higher alcohol percentages, and some were gel and had lower alcohol percentage, making it is less effective. Some sanitizers smelled like alcohol and even came in plastic liquor bottles as hand sanitizer bottles were in short supply too.

The FDA is now warning consumers to avoid several questionable brands of hand sanitizer, some even sold by major retailers like Walmart. Wood alcohol, better known as methanol, was found in some samples of sanitizers. Methanol can be fatal when ingested and can lead to methanol poisoning when applied to the skin. The FDA recently reported cases in which children and adults have been blinded, hospitalized, or even died after ingesting methanol-based sanitizers.

To make sure the hand sanitizer you are using is safe, the CDC recommends alcohol-based hand sanitizer as a means of preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses. These new warnings are sure to increase the demand on alcohol-based sanitizers so be sure to stock up while you can.

Novum’s Instant Erase Liquid Hand Sanitizer is an alcohol-based (80%) sanitizer and is FDA approved! Give us a call today to order your sanitizer and ensure your staff and your patients stay safe and healthy. (800) 274-2742.

Count on Us for Complete Room Furnishing Solutions

Posted July 10, 2020 by Brennan Carey

At Novum Medical Products, we understand that hospitals and other healthcare facilities require a diverse selection of furnishings to provide patients and their family members with compassionate, comfortable care. That’s why we strive to provide a wide variety of medical furnishings that can be valuable additions to every space from the Waiting Room to the Operating Room. You can learn a little more about the many different types of furniture we offer below!

Pediatric and Acute Care

These furnishings—which include Hospital Beds, Hospital Cribs & Hospital Bassinets, Overbed Tables and more—are designed to guarantee the comfort and safety of patients of all ages. Whether your patients are recuperating from surgery or being welcomed into the world in the Maternity Ward or Labor and Delivery Room, our Pediatric and Acute Care Furnishings include everything hospitals need to provide quality short-term care to their patients.

Long-Term Care

In contrast to Acute Care Centers, Long-Term Care Facilities require additional furnishings to make patients feel a little more at home during their stays. We offer Waiting Room Furniture and Dining Room Furniture which includes chairs and tables in various styles. For Patient Rooms our line ranges from Casegoods and Long Term Care Beds to Walkers and other mobility tools. You can find everything you need to furnish a Long-Term Care Facility on our site, all available at highly-competitive prices.

Specialty Medical Equipment

Our Specialty Stainless Steel Furnishings include durable stainless steel products and made to measure Hospital Mattresses for Stretchers, OR Tables, Cribs and Bassinets. We also have full custom stainless steel capabilities. Just tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll create a product that’s tailor-made to suit the needs of your facility. To learn more about all the furnishings we offer at Novum Medical Products, give us a call! 1.800.274.2742

iSeries Medical Recliners Offer Superior Style and Comfort

Posted June 18, 2020 by Brennan Carey

Our iSeries Hospital Recliners are designed to offer ergonomic seating options that are both comfortable and stylish. With their contoured backs, wide shoulder areas and added lumbar support, these recliners might look quite different than the stiff old medical furnishings you’re used to. They also come in seven distinct models that each include unique design features such as push-arm recliner mechanisms and caster bases. Our wall-saver recliner even shifts forward as it reclines to prevent damage to nearby walls.

Each Medical Recliner in our iSeries line also comes with a limited 7-year warranty that covers any defects in material and workmanship.

With their innovative designs and competitive price points, the iSeries Medical Recliner Chairs are some of the most popular furnishings we offer at Novum Medical Products. If these aren’t quite what you’re looking for, we offer several other models of medical recliners as well. You can also use our configurator tool to customize our iSeries Recliners to your desired specifications.

Interested in learning more about these or any of the other medical furnishings and equipment you can find on our site? Feel free to give us a call at (800) 274-2742 or contact us online to speak with a representative today!