Medical Distributors Key Terms

Some terms you might find when researching medical distributors

Medical distributors deliver medical supplies and products to hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The products and supplies can be highly sophisticated as well as quite simple. There are a myriad of state and federal regulations for this type of distribution that companies that do this kind of work must understand and adhere to. Employees of medical distribution companies need to be specially trained in the use and handling of this type of equipment as well as knowledgeable of the proper methods for doing medical supply distribution. There is a great deal of terms and jargon associated with this field that you will find when exploring this discipline.

 

Dialysis

Dialysis refers to the process of providing an artificial replacement for lost kidney function. It is used for patients who have temporarily lost their kidney function as well as those who have permanently lost kidney function. The treatments patients undergo removes wastes and fluids that are harmful from the kidneys. Some medical distributors provide dialysis equipment to hospitals.
Try: For a more complete explanation of this treatment go to National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse.

Defibrillation

Defibrillation is the most common form of treatment for problems with the heart such as arrhythmias (abnormal electrical activity) and tachycardia (heart rates that exceed normal rates). When a patient is defibrillated a therapeutic dose of electrical energy is delivered to the heart. Hospitals acquire defibrillators from medical distributors.
Try: The American Heart Association has an in-depth definition of defibrillation.

Computer tomography

Computer tomography (CT) is a medical device that generates a three dimensional image of the inside of the human body. Medical distributor employees should be familiar with this type of equipment.
Try: For a much more detailed description of what computer tomography is, go to MedicineNet.

Fetal monitor

A fetal monitor is an electronic device that is used during labor to monitor the heartbeat of a fetus and the contractions in the uterus. This is a common medical device that medical distributors supply to healthcare organizations.
Try: Medline Plus does a good job of discussing this in detail.

Pulse oximeter

A pulse oximeter is a medical device the measures the oxygen saturation of a patient's blood indirectly. It also measures blood volume changes in the skin. In this way medical staff are able to see a patient's oxygenation at all times. Some medical distributors can supply this piece of equipment to hospitals.
Try: The Encyclopedia of Surgery offers a good detailed description and purpose for this device.

Radiation dosimeter

A radiation dosimeter is a medical device that measures an individual's exposure to radiation usually when the hazard is cumulative over a period of time. This type of equipment supplied by medical distributors can be marketed to other organizations besides hospitals,
Try: The University of Utah has a description of the various types of dosimeters and their limitations.

Copyright © 2011 Business.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

---