The 4 Medical Devices You Should Keep at Home

The last couple of years have instilled an all-new appreciation of good health in all of our minds. Self-care is more important than ever in times like these, and being well-equipped for it within the confines of our homes is essential.

Besides having items to take care of a medical emergency at home, you should also have medical tools that can perform regular checks on your health to see if you need help.

In this article, we’ll discuss what medical devices you should keep at home to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. Let’s begin!

1. First Aid Kit

Let’s start with the most obvious item of them all — a first aid kit. Every household needs to have one to be able to stabilize someone in the state of an emergency before professional help arrives.

A first aid kit should have all the basic medical supplies such as a thermometer, CPR mask, cold packs, burn gels, pain killers, bandages, antibiotics, sanitizers, etc.

House members should also educate themselves at a basic level to know what to use in different situations. Believe it or not, knowing the right stuff and having the right medical tools at hand can potentially save lives!

2. Medical Thermometer

Our body temperature is a great indicator of how the body is doing in case of many potential illnesses. Common health issues like flu, cold, or cough might be associated with a fever or a minor rise in temperature.

Whenever you feel a bit off, having a medical thermometer to check if your temperature is a game-changer. It can help you determine whether or not you want to take an OTC pill or simply get some rest.

These days, virtual appointments and online consultations with doctors are pretty common — and having a thermometer at home can provide the doctor with much more insight into your condition.

3. Blood Oxygen Saturation Sensors (SPO2 Sensors)

SPO2 sensors (or pulse oximeters) might not have been an essential medical device to keep at home a couple of years ago, especially if none of the family members have lung disease or respiratory disorders, but they’re more relevant than ever at present.

That’s because of the COVID-19 pandemic, as your blood oxygen saturation level is one of the biggest indicators of whether or not your lungs are working fine, and if you need help.

Keeping a close check on your SPO2 levels can help you detect COVID-19 symptoms quicker. According to a New York Times opinion piece, earlier detection of silent hypoxia could give doctors more options to keep patients off ventilators. Consider investing in some Nellcor products to be prepared.

4. Eyewash

An eyewash is one of the most important (yet, often overlooked) medical supplies out there. Lots of chemical products can accidentally go into your eyes — such as liquid food items, hair spray, soap — and can lead to eye injuries and irritation. For those situations, make sure you have something at home to wash out eye’s ocular surface well.