Respiratory diseases cover a wide range of conditions relating to lung health and breathing. Some conditions like lung cancer and COPD can be brought on by lifestyle factors such as heavy smoking, whereas others like asthma are mostly hereditary.
Respiratory diseases are a major factor in rising hospital admissions during winter months. Admissions for respiratory problems double during the winter months, putting great strain on NHS resources during these months often referred to as ‘winter pressures’.
A large proportion of these admissions are elderly and frail people who are more vulnerable to respiratory infections triggered by the colder weather.
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Some Common Respiratory Conditions and Their Symptoms
The below table lists some of the common respiratory conditions found in hospital wards and the symptoms that characterise them.
A lot of these conditions are characterised by shortness of breath and fatigue. Long Covid, which has had much coverage since the pandemic, is now a recognised condition by healthcare professionals and has long-lasting symptoms such as pneumonia, fatigue and other respiratory problems.
How the Right Seating can Help With Respiratory Symptoms
From the list of symptoms above, we’ve amalgamated these and explain which seating features can help address them.
Seating Features: Lento Mobile Riser Recliner
The Lento Mobile riser recliner has high levels of adjustability and postural support, with electric tilt in space, an adjustable backrest angle and vertical rise. Complete with enhanced pressure relief and breathable fabric, it provides the level of comfort and support required for respiratory issues.
When moving patients about the ward, particularly during the peak winter season, medical staff and carers need seating that is easy to operate and move around.
The Lento Mobile has braked castors and an ergonomic push handle for easy manoeuvrability about the ward.
Nebulised medicine breathed in through a mask may be used in severe cases of COPD, or oxygen treatment through nasal tubes. The Lento Mobile can be adjusted to the right seating position to accommodate this equipment.
Riser Function for Tiredness and Fatigue
Patients may have breathing difficulties or get tired easily, due to respiratory weakness if they are bariatric or have ICU-acquired weakness. This is where the rise function in hospital riser recliner chairs is invaluable, helping them to their feet with minimum exertion.
The Comfort Rise and Recline chair is a functional, affordable solution for hospital wards, offering all the benefits of a riser recliner chair fully compliant with infection control standards.
Comfort Rise and Recline chair
Summary
When looking for suitable hospital seating to meet capacity during the busy winter months, we need to consider the needs of the patient, hospital ward, and provisions of the treatment itself.
Adjustable riser recliners designed for acute care environments provide support for proper lung expansion, improving breathing, reducing strain, and promoting relaxation for patients with respiratory problems.
Ralph has many years' experience in the healthcare sector. In a previous life he worked in finance, and his spreadsheet skills come in handy for all the analysis and research he does as he investigates topics and solutions for some of the world's most complex healthcare conditions and challenges. Aside from writing in-depth articles and organising webinars and interviews with top healthcare professionals, Ralph also administrates Vivid's "Healthcare Pioneers Board", a large group of healthcare specialists with multiple disciplines, who are working together to improve care for years to come.
