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Post by Janet Lightbown on Jun 7, 2008 14:36:40 GMT
Hi, This is my first posting as a newly qualified FHP from SMAE (May 08). I was very kindly pointed in the direction of this forum having had a traumatic experience on "That Foot Site" which almost had me packing my bags before I'd even started!! Good to know that not all pods are FHP-Eating trolls!
I am in a whirl trying to get all my kit together and sort out my business plan. I bought a 2nd hand Eschmann Little Sister which is old-fashioned but does the job. Where can I get a service contract sorted out? I e-mailed Eschmann themselves but have yet to receive a reply.
Also, what sort of stool/foot-rest set up would you recommend for home visits? Many client foot-rests are so low that the FHP would need to be kneeling on the floor which I feel is unhygienic, unprofessional and likely to knacker my already dodgy knees! Tutors at SMAE also recommended the FHP sitting on a stool with the client's foot on their lap, cushioned by a towel covered with paper roll. Hmmm? Still doesn't seem quite right. I've seen an AKRON combined stool/foot rest which looks pretty groovy apart from the price and the hassle of getting it in and out of my car! I know we've been spoilt training in a clinic with lovely hydraulic patient's chairs, foot trays and saddle operators chairs & I realise that home visits are an exercise in compromise and improvisation...................BUT!!!!!!!! Any advice based on personal experience would be very welcome.
I am based in South Warwickshire. Is there anyone else out there in my neck of the woods whom I could pay a visit when the going gets tough?
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Post by lyndabarber on Jun 7, 2008 17:08:38 GMT
Hi Janet, Welcome to the site. I have the Akron stool combi -it's great to use but: Heavy to carry Some people live in very small or cluttered rooms so it's awkward to set up. Some houses are difficult to access and you need to carry as little as possible. I have a small telescopic footrest and a camping stool which fit in a carry bag and is very light for those occasions. If you rent a room for a clinic the akron stool is ideal -it puts you in a very good working position which spares your back. Re.Autoclave servicing contact Canonbury. I qualified the week before you and still not got everything but you will find if you have the basics and the autoclave you can at least get started while you add other equipment.Good luck in your business. Lynda
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Post by judith Bentham on Jun 8, 2008 17:52:01 GMT
Hi Janet,
I qualified 18 months ago from another school and work abroad. The best advice I can give you is to buy the best equipment you can afford. It's frightening when you see just how much you need to spend, but it will work out much better for you in the long run, as poor quality equipment will breakdown easily, and will need to be replaced regularly. Some of the suppliers will give easy payment terms to allow you to stock good quality equipment with a monthly payment scheme. As to Dom equipment I cannot advise as I have only about 20 Dom clients as I work mainly from my clinic I wish you every success in your new profession. ;D regards Judith
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Post by steinhart on Jun 12, 2008 9:00:44 GMT
Hi Janet, Welcome. Footstools, I got a two piece one from Mobilis, check out their catalogue.Dont buy the bag for it, way too expensive and a waste of money. Putting a foot in your lap? er, couldnt do it myself, too close. I use what ever the client has. You will always find some bit of furnishing which you can alter its height with cushions or something. Might sound a bit outrageous, but, you can then cover it with something, (a hemmed bit of material) but its not essential, and put you debris tray on this. The advantage is that you will reduce the risk of damaging the ligaments in the knee as it will remain supported, especially in pts. with existing knee probs and the older client. It doesnt take long and its one less bit of heavy kit to carry. Each to their own, it works for me. Best of luck with your endeavour.
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ians
New Member
Posts: 21
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Post by ians on Jun 22, 2008 8:17:11 GMT
Hi everybody I to am new to this forum. I hope i can help a few people out and look to folks to help me out now and again. Janet i have not come across anything in 8 years of dom to beat a drummers stool. It cost £30 and is creaking a bit now but is built to last. If you think about it their are some big old units that play drums! I would check out your music shop.Its telescopic and collapseable. If you can do a bit of basic DIY you can buy a little drum stand off one of the drum sets. This can be adopted for a leg/footrest. I used one of the foot tripods in from a supplier but its a bit unstable and feeble. Good luck Ian
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Post by robertisaacs on Jun 22, 2008 16:40:03 GMT
Welcome, ian.
You'll find plenty of both here.
I look forward to your posts.
Regards Robert
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beryl
New Member
Posts: 1
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Post by beryl on Aug 5, 2008 8:22:42 GMT
Hi
I am in south leicestershire so not too far from you. i have gone through 2 stools and currently use a blue plastic folding stool i got from a cash and carry, it has been the best as it is very stable (I'm not the lightest of the bunch!) and folds flat, although i would prefer it a little higher, and can be a bit hard, especially treating three pts on the trot!. I use the telescopic foot rest, but you need to check it all the time especailly if the pt is restless as it can tip, its better to have 2 legs towards you and one back as they tend to put forward pressure on it.
regards
Beryl
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Post by davidsmith on Aug 6, 2008 18:56:38 GMT
Dear Ms Janet Lightbown Autoclave servicing £170/annum 2 x service + 1 certification (non vacuum) June Ford Sales Coordinator Medical Equipment Supplies Ltd. Office: 01255 422283 MES Group PO BOX 111 Portslade BN41 9AZ Regarding Stools I have a variety Ms Lightbrown, Mr Jobby Dr rice crispy, Sir black and tarry, Right Rev Post vindaloo flock of starlings ring burner. Come on! who could resist, Its a PUPPEEET! Seriuosly tho - I never carry a stool (stop it now) I sit on my box, really I sit on my DoM box, with a customers cushion on top and use the customers own foot stool or pouffe, or occasional table or anything low that they can rest their legs on. Many of the tougher pensioners are made of harder stuff and now have Comfy Chairs with extending foot rest but have never encountered the Spanish inquisition.. OMG someone's making wise cracks again (none of the funny stuff Smiffy, there you are I've told myself off first) I blame Bel. This post has been passed by the DTT board of censors for general distribution and rated D (discretion)LoL Dave
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Post by dtt on Aug 6, 2008 20:09:45 GMT
Smiffy ;D ;D ;D Ok I deserve that ;D ;D Public apology to Mr David Smith hereby posted . This is a lesson in making sure you READ and UNDERSTAND a post before jumping in with both feet Never too old to learn . Don't EVER stop posting Smiffy ;D cheers Buddy D
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Post by blinda on Aug 6, 2008 21:29:01 GMT
Now I`m not going to make any jokes about going through the motions.....
But, I find getting the right angle of the patient`s foot difficult to achieve in dom visits, without REALLY hurting my back. I now sit on a childs camping chair, £4.00 at Millets (Other camping shops are available) and use the Canonbury height and angle adjustable foot stool. Works better than anything else I`ve tried.
Cheers, Bel
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Post by davidsmith on Aug 7, 2008 12:11:29 GMT
Bel Since having the stiff rod removed from my back ( that was Dels doing) I find it now has auto height and angle adjustments built in. Maybe tho that's why I now have a stenosis mind you that may have been caused over many years of tending my shrubery. www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UbtcmjfKa8All the best Dave
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Post by davidsmith on Aug 7, 2008 12:27:34 GMT
Janet
Putting my serious hat on
See my first post.
Really you should just get out there and do it. You'll soon get the hang of squating and bending and finding just the right position for the person you are working on. Some have low chairs and so you can't get their leg up high, but if they have heel fissures you still need to get to that, you find the way that works for you. You might be 6'6" tall or only 4'11"so that will make a great difference to your seating position. Some patients have cellulitis, ulcers, arthritis, dementia and poo on the bottom of their feet, its not like school but you just have to get on with it the best way you can. Its not rocket science just common sense and a bendy back. (plus a poor sense of smell will help otherwise get you dust mask on tout suite)
Carry as little as possible cos it becomes a drag after a while of carting around unneccesssary equipment. Like I say I never carry a stool and I have NEVER been to a customer who didn't have something to rest their feet on.
All the best Dave
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Post by Tracey on Oct 13, 2008 21:05:21 GMT
Welcome, ian. You'll find plenty of both here. I look forward to your posts. Regards Robert
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Post by blinda on Oct 14, 2008 15:09:11 GMT
Hi Tracey? Are you new to the forum? Looks like you are having problems with yer quotes Don`t worry, took me a while too, eh Del? You`ll soon get the hang of it. Cheers, Bel
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Post by steinhart on Dec 3, 2008 18:33:14 GMT
I have a Mobilis 2 piece seat as well, with some camping mat folded and secured on top as its hard on the butt! And as for having the pts. foot in your lap! madness How will you ever to the calcaneum? Use the patients furniture, their own footstool, a dining chair, and put your debris tray and heel rest on that. Works for me, horses for courses etc.
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