Reminder: ProMed Thanksgiving Closure Notice Professional Medical will be closed this Thursday, November 22 and Friday, November 23 in honor of Thanksgiving. If you placed an order with us after noon on November 16, it will be delivered to your facility the week of November 26. We invite you to call our Customer Care team at (800) 648-5190 with any questions or concerns. From our team to yours, have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Are You Ready for Flu Season? If the flu hasn't crept into your facility yet this season, you can rest assured that it’s on its way. According to the CDC, although peak flu activity is usually seen in January or later, the flu season typically kicks off with outbreaks in October.1 Flu viruses are spread mainly by droplets created when people who have the flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can be inhaled into the lungs of people who are nearby, even from as far as six feet away. The virus can also be spread by touching a surface that has flu virus on it and then touching your mouth or nose.

The CDC recommends taking the following steps to help prevent flu and other respiratory infections from spreading throughout your facility2: Post signs around the facility to instruct residents and visitors to alert staff members if they have any symptoms of a respiratory infection. Ensure that hand hygiene and other necessary items are within easy reach. Place alcohol-based hand-rub dispensers in convenient locations throughout your building. Provide tissues and no-touch receptacles for disposing of used tissues. Make sure that supplies for handwashing (i.e., soap and disposable towels) are readily available at all sinks. Encourage residents, staff and visitors to perform proper respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette. This entails: Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (to download a handy "Cover Your Cough" poster from the CDC, click here). Placing used tissues in the closest waste receptacle after use. Performing hand hygiene (with alcohol-based hand rub, antiseptic handwash or non-antimicrobial soap and water) after having contact with respiratory secretions or contaminated objects or surfaces. Offer masks to residents who are coughing to contain respiratory secretions. Advise your staff to observe Droplet Precautions (i.e., wearing a mask during close contact) in addition to Standard Precautions when they are with residents who have symptoms of a respiratory infection, particularly if a fever is present. Professional Medical has everything you need to develop a comprehensive flu prevention strategy for your facility! To learn more, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at www.promedsupply.com. Reference 1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Flu Season. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season.htm. Accessed November 14, 2012. 2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Respiratory Hygiene/Cough Etiquette in Healthcare Settings. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/infectioncontrol/resphygiene.htm. Accessed November 14, 2012.

Now it's easy to place Purell®, America's #1 instant hand sanitizer, wherever it's needed. This free-standing unit offers the combination of a Purell TFX™ or LTX 12 TouchFree Dispenser and a sturdy, moveable stand for use in high-traffic locations. Through December 31, you can purchase the Purell floor stand for just $59.95! As an added bonus, when you install 25 LTX dispensers at your facility, we’ll give you a stand for free!

Product pricing is only visible to registered promedsupply.com customers. If you are not yet registered, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 and our Customer Care Professionals will be happy to get you set up.