GelO News May 2014
A Call to Arms
What could be simpler than choosing an arm pad for your client's chair?
Check the width, check the length... presto, you're done'? Sometimes you need
to go a little farther.
The client has pressure issues - he needs GEL.
Sometimes the client leans against the inner aspect of the arm rest - she needs
a waterfall protective surface.
When we started 15 years ago, you had your choice of 3.5" x 12" with 2 rows of 4
"t"-nuts. It might not have been what your client really needed, yet it was all
we had 'off the shelf'. Today's increased choices means the right arm pad (new
or replacement) requires a little more thought.
The variation just based on length and width - with lengths between 8" and 16",
and widths from 2" to 5" offers quite a number of choices. The right length is
a blend of arm length, size and client behavior.
Lots of choices: the G Series (our traditional "t"-nut GEL Arm Pads), Waterfall,
LaBac style GEL arm pads, Permobil Arm pad covers, and Universal Fit Track Mount
(TMS) before mentioning troughs, trough liners and modular solutions.
Are you replacing an existing pad? It's not always a matter of a newer duplicate.
You need to ask "has the client's status changed since this chair was first ordered?"
A gain of 50 pounds or a progression of an illness may require a fresh look.
And don't forget to think of the part of the arm rest you don't see? Will 'drilling
a hole to make it fit' be a problem? When you modify any product, you need to remember
that you may be voiding the warranty. Are you possibly altering the function or
the safety?
There are times when you have no choice in this area, but using our protective track
pads that offer universal fit: TMS, GT, or GWT can minimize how often you have to
make that call.
Don't forget to consider the plastic guard. Does it cause any issues? If only on
the inside is a concern, GWT. If more than just the inside is a concern, use the
GT.
Do you need elbow, side arm, or hand support?
We can help there as well.
Choosing the right arm rest doesn't have to be a problem. Just start with Gel Ovations.
Between your clinical judgment and our many variations, the right choice is just
a phone call away.
Now That is State of the Art 2014
You ASKED for it -- Picture Guides
The Gel Ovations Picture Guide
An intentionally different view of our Products.
Gel Ovations(TM) Picture Guide
When designing a CREATIVE solution, seeing the "parts" may inspire you.
April spotlight: Sta-Rite (TM)
Guide: clamps, brackets, & items that work with our main products.
Need help with a creative solution?
Just email or call Chris at 302-494-9070
HOT Flicks
The Power of Community
ARMED with one of these - AND in under 3 minutes, individual EMT Volunteers saved
40,000 lives last year.
Why should I care?
Our American heritage is threatened as much by our own indifference as it is by
the most unscrupulous office or by the most powerful foreign threat. The future
of this republic is in the hands of the American voter.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
As a manager, you may think that you need to find people with the right knowledge,
with the right skills, to do the job that you need them to do, in the manner you
need them to do it.
And you do.
But more importantly you need to find people with the right attitude and then you
need to make sure that everything about the work environment (or at least the things
you can control) stays as positive and supportive as possible.
Why? Because your employees attitude about the work, about the clients, about the
company (or hospital) they represent will pretty much determine whether or not you
will be successful.
And the news from the work world is not all that good. The research firm of Gang
& Gang, found that more than half of the 1,100 North American workers they surveyed
had "negative" emotions about their work, while nearly a third had "intensely negative"
emotions about their work.
So what can YOU do about this?
Choose wisely. When you're interviewing look for clues about attitude.
How do prospective employees describe handling difficult situations in the past?
How do they feel about life in general? If someone in a probationary period "just
can't deal with things" until a second cup of coffee in the morning, this nay not
be a good fit.
Listen well. Learn to go beyond just accurate listening. Try to understand what
the subtext or meta messages are when you talk to employees. Ask more questions
and make sure you're getting to core issues and not just dealing with the superficial.
Reinforce the positive. There is a reason that advertising works. The deliberate
creation and reinforcement of the attitudes you want can spread to those with a
need to improve. Reward those on the team who exemplify the behaviors you like.
And don't ignore "bad" attitude when you see it. Stop it in its tracks and let
everyone know it's not acceptable.
Start with you. Attitude, like chocolate syrup on your ice cream Sundae flows from
the top down. Be very aware of the signals you are sending, knowingly or not, to
others. The team will take its lead from you, so be the leader you want them to
have.
As a manager, what you do will impact the performance and profitability of your
organization.
The Ambucycle
We're "nuts" about our Universal TMS Track
Short TMS Track - fits 210, 212, 310 & 312 arm pads
STMST
Long TMS Track - fits 214, 314 & 316 arm pads
LTMST
3.5" x 10" GEL Pad - Universal Fit - Track Mount System
310TMS
3.5" x 12" GEL Pad - Universal Fit - Track Mount System
312TMS
3.5" x 14" GEL Pad - Universal Fit - Track Mount System
314TMS
3.5" x 16" GEL Pad - Universal Fit - Track Mount System
316TMS
2" x 10" GEL Pad - Universal Fit - Track Mount System
210TMS
2" x 12" GEL Pad - Universal Fit - Track Mount System
212TMS
2" x 14" GEL Pad - Universal Fit - Track Mount System
214TMS
All items listed above come with "t" nuts and screws - ready for installation.
WARNING: Do not eat "t"-nuts; also pls keep them away from children.
If we can make something easier for you - give us a call.
We'll be happy to see what we can do.