Vital Details on Vital Signs What does someone's body temperature really tell you? Or their pulse? Which results are considered normal? Let's take a look at the four primary vital signs: temperature, blood pressure, pulse and respiratory rate. Body temperature Body temperature is a measure of the body's ability to generate and get rid of heat. An elevated body temperature can indicate a fever, which in turn is indicative of a systemic infection, severe trauma or injury, inflammation or a medical condition such as arthritis, hyperthyroidism and even some cancers. Body temperature can be measured in the mouth, ear, armpit, forehead and rectum. Normal range: The average body temperature is 98.6° F, but temperatures within 1 degree above or below this reading are still considered normal. Blood pressure Blood pressure involves recording two readings: the systolic pressure, which is the maximal contraction of the heart, and diastolic pressure, which represents resting pressure. This measurement is usually taken from the left arm, unless there is some damage to that arm. Elevated blood pressure, when the systolic number is consistently over 140-160 mmHg, is known as hypertension. Low blood pressure is referred to as hypotension. Normal range: 120 (systolic) over 80 (diastolic) Pulse The physical expansion of an artery creates a pulse. This measurement is recorded as beats per minute and is usually taken at the wrist or ankle. It can also be taken at the elbow, against the carotid artery in the neck, behind in the knee or in the foot. While a lower pulse is generally preferable, a very low pulse, or bradycardia, can be dangerous and lead to weakness, loss of energy and fainting. Normal range: For adults, the normal pulse rate is 50-80 beats per minute Respiratory rate Respiratory rate, or the numbers of breaths taken in a minute, can indicate potential respiratory dysfunction. The rate is obtained by counting how many times the chest rises during a minute. The rate can increase with fever, illness or other medical conditions. When obtaining a respiratory rate, it's also important to see whether the person is having difficulty breathing. Normal range: 12-20 breaths per minute Equipment for monitoring vital signs has grown much more sophisticated over the years. New devices can obtain readings in seconds, freeing staff members to spend their time on other areas of care and reducing resident inconvenience to a minimum. To learn more about which vital signs solutions best fit your needs, contact your ProMed territory manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at www.promedsupply.com.

Study: Cynicism is Top Predictor of Nursing Home Administrator Turnover Research from Indiana University of Pennsylvania has found that nursing home administrators who have high levels of cynicism are more likely to leave their jobs. The researcher noted that this cynicism is related to a feeling of professional burnout. To obtain these findings, the researcher distributed a survey to all Pennsylvania nursing home administrators. She received 98 responses, which she analyzed to determine the administrators' level of burnout and intention of leaving their jobs. She defined burnout as having three elements: emotional exhaustion, cynicism and professional inefficacy.

While cynicism stood out as the main predictor of administrators leaving their jobs, the researcher noted that the importance of emotional exhaustion should not be overlooked. To learn more, click here.

Buy 1 Get 1 at No Charge* The Genius™ 2 thermometer uses proprietary Peak Select System technology to determine the body's accurate temperature directly from the tympanic membrane. You can count on the Genius 2 to deliver an accurate temperature while saving staff time and minimizing infection control concerns. Additional Features: 1-2 second measurement response time Durable tip-based sensor technology Tapered probe design Rapid response time Real-time temperatures Programmable display Single-use disposable probe covers Powered by 3 AAA batteries (included) WARRANTY: Three years

*When you buy 1 Genius 2 thermometer, you'll receive a complimentary thermometer at no charge. Limit 25 per customer. Offer ends 5/31/2014. 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.