Common Medical Supply Terms Every Caregiver Should Know

Quick Summary:

This blog is a quick guide to common medical terms you may encounter while being a caregiver for a loved one.

Introduction

Becoming a caregiver for the first time can include an overload of new terms you have never heard before. Being a caregiver can be overwhelming on its own, and understanding the most common home care terms is the first step to properly caring for your loved one.

 

Mobility, Transfers, and Positioning

Wheelchairs

  • Manual:
    A standard wheelchair that can be operated by the user or a companion pushing the chair.
  • Transport:
    A lightweight wheelchair with a smaller frame than a standard wheelchair and four small wheels for navigation.
  • Electric:
    A battery-powered wheelchair often operated with a joystick.

Walkers and Rollators

  • Walker:
    A metal frame with four legs that may or may not have two wheels on the front.
  • Rollator:
    A wheeled version of a walker with handlebars, brakes, and often has a seat.
Man pushing woman in a wheelchairMan pushing woman in a wheelchair

 

Transferring Aids

  • Gait Belts:
    A sturdy belt worn around the waist or torso, allowing the caregiver to assist individuals with walking, standing, and balancing. It should NOT be used for lifting or carrying a person's entire body weight.
  • Transfer Boards:
    A long board (usually made from wood, plastic, or composite materials) that is placed between two surfaces so the user can slide from one surface to another.
  • Transfer Bench:
    A bench (or a chair) that helps the user transfer from a seated surface to a shower or tub. Some have commode openings and can be placed over the toilet.
  • Sit-to-Stand Lifts:
    A transfer device that helps a user who can bear some weight move from a seated to standing position.
  • Full-Body Lifts:
    A lift that can lift a user from the floor to another surface, usually a bed.
  • Lift Slings:
    A hammock-style fabric that is used with lifts to transfer patients.

 

Oxygen Equipment and Delivery

Oxygen Concentrators

An oxygen concentrator is a medical device that separates nitrogen from the surrounding air so the user can breathe up to 95% pure oxygen. There are two main types of concentrators:

  • Stationary:
    The more "traditional" version of an oxygen concentrator. Stationary concentrators have a higher oxygen output but are heavy, weighing around 20 pounds or more. Since they are heavy and require an electrical outlet to run, that's why they're usually referred to as "stationary" because they can't be moved easily.
  • Portable:
    A portable oxygen concentrator (also known as a POC) is very lightweight and usually runs on rechargeable batteries. Many models can also connect to household or vehicle power. Its compact size makes it easy to take on the go, but the drawback is lower oxygen output compared to stationary concentrators.

 

Oxygen Delivery:

  • Flow Rate:
    The rate at which a concentrator dispenses oxygen. This rate is measured in LPM.
  • Liters Per Minute (LPM):
    This refers to the number of oxygen liters delivered per minute.
  • Continuous Flow:
    A continuous flow oxygen concentrator provides a steady stream of oxygen with a prescribed flow rate (LPM).
  • Pulse Dose:
    A pulse dose concentrator dispenses "pulses" of air when the user breathes. This type of concentrator doesn't have a set flow rate, as pulse dose oxygen is only dispensed upon inhalation.

 

Enteral Feeding and Equipment

 

Common Enteral Feeding Terms:

  • Feeding Bag:
    A plastic container that holds liquid formula.
  • Feeding Tube:
    The tube that delivers the formula to the user.
  • Pump Set:
    Includes the feeding bag, feeding tube, and connectors.
  • Extension Set:
    Helps extend the length of feeding tubes.
  • Enteral Syringe:
    An oral syringe that can be used to push formula through a feeding tube or to flush a feeding tube.
  • Flushing:
    The process of cleaning a feeding tube with water (sterile or non-sterile depending on your doctor's recommendations).
  • Priming:
    The process of preparing a tube for tube feeding - this means pushing formula through the tubing (before connecting the tubing) to remove any air.
  • Venting:
    The process of letting the air out of the stomach through the end of the tube.
  • ENFit:
    The design that ensures enteral devices can only be connected to matching enteral devices, including extension sets, tubes, syringes, and feeding sets.

 

 

Feeding Types:

  • Intermittent:
    Intermittent feedings (also known as bolus feeding) happen multiple times throughout the day, usually around mealtimes. This type of feeding is usually used by individuals with feeding tubes in the stomach.
  • Continuous:
    Formula is delivered slowly at a set rate throughout the day, usually with a pump. It can be used with gastric or small-bowel feeding tubes as prescribed.
  • Gravity:
    The feeding tube is connected to a raised pole or hook, and gravity sends the liquid down through the tube when it's time for a feeding. A roller clamp on the tube helps set the flow rate.
  • Pump:
    An electric pump sends the formula through the feeding tube.

Wound Dressings and Drainage

Primary vs. Secondary:

  • Primary:
    The main dressing that comes into contact with the wound bed.
  • Secondary:
    An additional dressing that supports the primary dressing.

 

Wound Exudate

Exudate is the fluid or drainage from an open wound and is a normal part of the wound healing process. Exudate helps prevent the wound bed from drying out, allowing tissue-repairing cells to migrate, encouraging healing.

 

Wound Types:

  • Acute:
    A recent injury that can range from mild scrapes to deep wounds.
  • Chronic:
    A wound that doesn't progress through a normal healing trajectory, often due to underlying conditions.
  • Open:
    Skin is broken, exposing underlying tissues.
  • Closed:
    The skin remains intact.

 

 

Dressing Types:

  • Alginate:
    Derived from seaweed and creates a gel-like substance when it comes into contact with exudate; highly conformable and absorbent.
  • Foam:
    Soft dressings that help retain wound moisture without sticking to the wound area.
  • Gauze:
    A woven dressing that allows the wound to breathe.
  • Hydrocolloid:
    A dressing with an agent that converts exudate into gel.
  • Hydrogel:
    A water- or glycerin-based dressing that helps provide moisture to dry wounds.
  • Occlusive:
    Non-permeable dressing that fully seals out external air and moisture to help maintain a moist wound bed.
  • Semi-Occlusive:
    Semi-permeable dressing that partially seals out air and moisture, allowing some air to pass while maintaining a moist wound bed.
  • Transparent Film:
    A thin, waterproof membrane that adheres to the skin, providing a protective barrier while allowing for visual inspection of the wound.
  • Silver:
    A dressing that helps provide local antimicrobial activity. They may be used for wound infections under clinical guidance.

Common Terms:

  • Wound Bed:
    The base of the wound; the area between the wound edges.
  • Packing:
    Placing an appropriate dressing into a deep wound to help manage drainage, fill dead space, and support healing.
  • Maceration:
    Skin damage that occurs when the skin has been exposed to moisture for an extended period of time. Maceration looks like white, wrinkled skin around the wound edges.

 

Incontinence Products and Moisture Control

Common Incontinence Terms

  • Absorbency:
    The amount of liquid the product can hold before it needs a change.
  • Acquisition Layer:
    The layer that is responsible for evenly distributing liquid to help maintain dryness.
  • Core:
    A storage layer that is responsible for soaking and retaining fluid.
  • Leg Cuffs:
    Elasticized barriers around the leg openings. They help prevent leaks and may also be referred to as "leak guards".
  • Backsheet:
    The outer layer of the diaper, usually made with waterproof or water-resistant materials. It usually helps prevent leakage and keeps the user dry. Manufacturers may describe the backsheet as "cloth-like", which means it is less noisy or "plasticky".
  • Topsheet:
    The inner layer that is closest to the skin, usually a breathable layer that is designed to wick away moisture.
  • Wetness Indicator:
    An external, visual indicator that shows when it is the right time to change a soiled incontinence product.

 

Incontinence Products

  • Briefs:
    Some may assume adult briefs look more like regular underwear. However, adult briefs look and function like a traditional diaper. Adult briefs have tab closures and are usually recommended for those who are less active or less independent.
  • Pull-Up Diapers:
    Pull-up diapers can be pulled on and off like underwear, and are usually recommended for individuals with active lifestyles.
  • Pads:
    Absorbent pads worn inside the underwear, ranging from light to heavy absorbency.
  • Liners:
    A thin pad with light absorbency, generally recommended for light, infrequent leaks.
  • Booster Pads:
    A flow-through pad worn inside a compatible diaper or a brief that adds extra absorbency.
  • Underpads:
    A large, heavy-duty external pad that helps protect bedding and furniture from leaks.

 

Conclusion

Caregiving involves hands-on care that requires understanding of the process and how it applies to your loved one's quality of life. Understanding common medical supply terms can help you better understand and carry out instructions from your or your loved one's doctor or care team.

Vitality Medical has a wide variety of medical supplies from trusted manufacturers, including mobility aids, oxygen equipment, enteral feeding supplies, incontinence products, and more.

References