Contrary to popular belief, the purpose of a weigh-in during a doctor’s visit is not to make a patient depressed; it’s because changes in a person’s weight can provide clues to health challenges he or she may be facing. Increases or decreases in weight may indicate diabetes, digestive problems, 'failure to thrive' in infants, or if someone is on a reduction plan, perhaps even an acknowledgment of success. Knowing a person’s weight is also a key factor in calculating medication dosages.

For most patients, getting weighed is a simple matter of stepping on the scale; for others with mobility issues or for infants, scales need to be designed to accommodate these challenges and differences. Here are four innovative new products from Detecto that meet the needs of a wide variety of patients.

Suitable for both the home or medical office, the Detecto Digital Eye-Level Scale gives quick, accurate readings on an eye-level LCD six-digit display that also calculates BMI (Body Mass Index). Made of painted steel, the scale supports and displays weights up to 500 pounds in .2 increments. The display is powered by six AA batteries or by an AC power adaptor, both of which must be purchased separately. A USB port provides connectivity to PCs, allowing data to be uploaded with a keystroke or two. The membrane-type keyboard has four directional arrows and five keys for easy navigation. All it takes to clean is a wipe down with a gentle detergent and a soft cloth. The Eye-Level Scale is covered by a one-year manufacturer’s warranty with a 90-day warranty on parts and service. An optional height bar is also available for quick and easy height measurements.

When babies need to be weighed, two things need to be kept in mind: they are very wiggly and they don’t like being far from Mom or Dad for any length of time. Detecto Baby Scales feature a filter to compensate for the child’s movement and read his or her weight quickly, giving an accurate weight while allowing a fast return to the parent. The weighing tray is polystyrene that’s been molded in a design that holds the baby securely while being weighed. The LCD digital display includes a locking feature that displays the last weight until it can be recorded in a paper chart or in a computer via the USB port. The Baby Scale has a weight capacity of up to 130 pounds displayed in increments of .1 pound. It comes EMR/EHR ready and is powered by six AA batteries or by an AC adaptor (neither included). A cart for easy transport is also available, making this scale mobile and simple to move from room to room.

Suitable for both manual and electric wheelchairs as well as for patients who are able to walk under their own power, the Detecto Portable Bariatric Wheelchair Scale allows them to be weighed without the hassle of transport. Patients in wheelchairs simply roll up the two-way ramps onto the non-skid rubber platform, then the healthcare professional enters the tare weight of the wheelchair. Four stainless steel load cells with self-aligning feet automatically adjust to level the weighing surface, allowing for accurate reading. It has a weight capacity of 1000 pounds displayed in .2 pound increments; a 5-digit LCD display with 5000dpi resolution; and a 19-key sealed membrane keyboard. Each scale is EMR/EHR ready, and can transfer data by USB or serial port as well as optional WiFi.

For patients who are too ill to get out of bed or who live with conditions that prevent the use of a wheelchair, the Detecto Digital Stretcher Scale is a good choice. A stretcher made of flame-retardant antibacterial fabric goes beneath the patient, then hydraulic lifts raise him or her for weighing. The Stretcher Scale smoothly rolls on locking caster wheels and the legs may be widened to enhance stability. It has a lifting capacity of up to 800 pounds and displays weight on an LCD digital display in .2 pound increments. The keyboard is sealed membrane with five keys and four directional arrows. Data transfer can be done via the USB port. It is powered by six AA batteries or an AC power adapter (not included).

Detecto's medical scales were exhibited at the 2013 IMCO Convention in Orlando and the 2013 Arab Health Show in Dubai.

The Eye-Level Scale is suitable for use at home as well as medical offices, hospitals, and residential care facilities. The other three scales are appropriate for use in residential care facilities as well as hospitals, and the Bariatric Scale may also be used for dialysis patients. Thanks to their designs, these weighing innovations from Detecto allow people with a diverse range of conditions to have their weight checked as easily as a typically-abled person can.

To see many other great scales from Detecto, please go to the Detecto page.

Fran Jablway,
Senior Medical Consumer Writer
and
Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Team Leader & CEO