Beware: Not All Fall Protection Products Are Equal

According to the Center for Disease Control, 1 in 3 seniors over the age of 65 will fall this year and 20-30% of those who fall suffer moderate to serious injuries. These falls cost roughly $30 billion annually.

Finally, 95% of hip injuries are due to a fall. Among health care professionals it is often said that a hip fracture is the beginning of an elderly loved ones rapid demise.

So, how can we protect our elderly loved ones from the inevitable?

The answer lies with fall protection mats and flooring. There are a variety of fall protection products available to the everyday consumer but not all fall protection products are created equal.

SmartCells fall protection products can be used under vinyl and carpet to reduce tripping hazards.

For instance, there are several manufacturers that produce fall protection mats made from foam.  Not only do these mats create an unstable surface for our loved ones to walk on, increasing the chances of a fall, but they also can soak up liquids, which can increase the likelihood of infections.

Unlike foam-based fall protection products, that may be haphazardly designed and lack research support, SmartCells fall protection products have been scientifically designed, and have been the center of several key studies at universities and senior care facilities.

Dr. Frank Knoefel recently conducted a retrospective study in which he and his associates compared the frequency of hip fractures that resulted from residents living in rooms with regular hard surface flooring to residents living in rooms equipped with SmartCells fall protection flooring.

The study found a 2.4% fracture rate among residents living in rooms with regular flooring, while the SmartCells fall protection floor resulted in a 0% fracture rate among its residents.  Research continues to gain statistical confidence in these findings.

The unique SmartCells technology incorporates a dual-stiffness design that provides the stability of a hard surface while also retaining the capability to compress and cushion the impact of a fall.

SATECH, Inc. SmartCells fall protection products include bedside mats, which have a low profile and beveled edges, enabling wheel chairs to easily roll over them.  In addition to bedside mats, SATECH, Inc. also offers custom fall protection flooring to fill any space or partial room when a single bedside mat is not large enough.

SmartCells Fall Protection products will be there for your loved ones when you can’t.

The Back Pain Epidemic: Reduce Your Back Pain By Changing What You Stand On

A recent study by the American Chiropractic Association found that 50 percent of all working Americans admit to having back pain each year and as many as 80 percent of the population will experience back pain at some point in their life.

The ACA also found that back pain is one of the most common reasons for missed work and the second leading cause of visits to the doctor’s office.

SmartCells Anti-fatigue runners reduce back pain and are perfect for users who are too mobile for an anti-fatigue mat.

Back pain is not only a leading cause of bodily pain but it is also a cause of significant monetary pain and loss of productivity on the job. It has been estimated that Americans spend upwards of $50 billion each year on back pain not including the cost of lost productivity.

There is no doubt that back pain is a prevalent issue in the modern work place. Whether it’s sitting in an office setting or standing and walking in a retail or warehouse setting, each work place has its own factors that contribute to back pain on the job.

While it is important to take advice from healthcare specialists, it is also important to note that a recent study conducted by Dr. Bruce E Landon, a professor of health care policy at Harvard, found a rising trend in over diagnosis and over treatment of back problems. It is not uncommon for a doctor to prescribe and recommend a variety of expensive tests, narcotics and referrals for surgery.

Landon also states that “a majority of common back pain will improve on its own with conservative therapy and time.”

There are many simple and cost-efficient ways to reduce back pain including daily exercise, stretching, icing/heating sore body parts, over-the-counter pain relievers and rest.

Another easy way to reduce and/or prevent back pain and reduce the costs associated with back pain is to use SmartCells anti-fatigue mats, flooring, runners, or insoles.

SmartCells anti-fatigue products are ergonomically designed and engineered to prevent and reduce pain, including back pain, associated with standing for extended periods of time. The unique SmartCells act like springs that cushion as weight is applied and then rebound when the weight shifts, which returns energy and reduces fatigue.

SATECH’s anti-fatigue products are built with industrial quality and combine features such as beveled edges and stability with style and elegance that blends perfectly in any room in the house. The SmartCells line anti-fatigue rubber mats come with an industry-leading 8-year warranty and are available in three different surface options (smooth, basket weave and carpet top) as well as three colors (Black, gray and light brown) and three sizes (2X3, 3X5 and 24X68).

What is the difference between Fall Prevention and Injury Prevention?

Throughout the winter months, while temperatures drop and ice and snow accumulation increases, it is common to also see an increase in conversations regarding slip and fall prevention. The ice tends to remind people about how easy and dangerous a slip or fall could be.

While slip and fall prevention is often a seasonal topic for younger generations, the unfortunate fact of the matter is that for our elderly loved ones, they face the potential dangers of slips and falls on a daily basis.

There are many great tips that can be found regarding fall prevention for our elderly loved ones but the reality is that in spite of all our precautions, falls still occur.  The conversation needs to broaden to include not just fall prevention, but injury prevention.

The statistics regarding senior citizen falls are staggering. According to the National Council on Aging, every 15 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall; every 29 minutes, an older adult dies following a fall. Falls are the number one cause of fatal injuries amongst our elderly loved ones.

So, what is the difference between fall prevention and injury prevention?

The difference is SmartCells.

SmartCells build-your-own-fall protection mat

SATECH Inc.’s line of SmartCells Fall Protection products helps prevent falls, as well as injuries from falls.  The unique structure of SmartCells, also known as dual-stiffness flooring, provides users with a stable standing surface that will not cause a balance impaired person to lose their balance, while at the same time provide significant cushioning if a fall does occur.

Comparative studies and research indicate substantial reduction in fall-related injuries such as contusions and skin tears when using SmartCells fall injury prevention products.

SmartCells Fall Protection products are available to be used as an underlayment or in a variety of colors (Black, Light Brown, and Grey) and additional configurations ranging from build-your-own mats and custom flooring to pre-sized mats (2×3, 3×5 and 24×68).

SmartCells will be there for your loved one when you can’t be.

What is the difference between Anti-fatigue foam, gel, and rubber mats?

Shopping for an anti-fatigue mat can often be a daunting task. Consumers are faced with a variety of companies offering a multitude of so-called “anti-fatigue” products. Anti-fatigue products are generally made from three different material choices: foam, gel and rubber mats.

“Ultimately, it comes down to whether consumers want to invest in a piece of foam, a piece of gel or anti-fatigue technology,” says Al Shelley, Marketing Director at SATECH, Inc.

Foam mats compress and become harder, and gel is so soft that it squishes out of the way. Consumers find that SmartCells anti-fatigue rubber mats provide the perfect combination of ample cushioning, stability and density.

SmartCells Anti-Fatigue mats are an elegant upgrade for your home and office.

The unique SmartCells® cushioning technology consists of a rubber surface layer integrated with an underlying array of cylindrical rubber cells that soften in response to surface pressure to provide maximum fatigue relief. The SmartCells act like springs that cushion as weight is applied and then rebound when the weight shifts, which returns energy and reduces fatigue associated with standing.

SATECH’s renowned line of SmartCells Anti-fatigue products includes a large variety of rubber mats, custom flooring, and runners and is trusted by leading companies who take employee safety and comfort seriously such as: Disney, Amazon and Boeing.

SATECH’s anti-fatigue rubber mats are built with industrial quality and combine features such as beveled edges and stability with style and elegance that blends perfectly in any room in the house. The SmartCells line anti-fatigue rubber mats come with an industry-leading 8-year warranty and are available in three different surface options (smooth, basket weave and carpet top) as well as three colors (Black, gray and light brown) and three sizes (2X3, 3X5 and 24X68).

It’s not how the mat feels, it’s how you feel.

SmartCells Fall Protection Products Featured in European Showcase

SmartCells Fall Protection: We’ll Be There When You Can’t

SATECH, Inc. is pleased to announce that the full line of SmartCells Fall Protection products are being featured in Europe’s Healthy Aging and Public Procurement of Innovation (HAPPI) Showcase.

The HAPPI Project, funded by the European Commission and DG Enterprise, was designed to connect European health procurers with innovative and sustainable solutions and products that improve and promote aging well.

Aging-in-place is the current term that best characterizes the trend by aging individuals and their families toward living and being cared for at home, rather than in retirement communities or care facilities.  This increase in desire to age-in-place has brought to light many concerns senior care professionals have for an at-risk population choosing to remain at home. By far, the most highlighted concern is that of safety and fall prevention.

In 2010, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported that 65% of senior citizens who fell were treated in emergency rooms for fall-related injuries. That’s an astonishing 2.3 million senior citizens.

Fall-related injuries pose a serious risk for the senior population and at times can turn fatal. In fact, the CDC also found that “approximately 20% of older adults hospitalized for a hip fracture die within a year and about 50% will suffer a major decline in independence.”

“It’s appropriate that resources and discussions are directed to fall prevention,” says Al Shelley, Marketing Director at SATECH, Inc., “but the reality is that in spite of all our precautions, fall still occur.  The conversation needs to broaden to include not just fall prevention, but injury prevention.

SATECH Inc.’s line of SmartCells Fall Protection products helps prevent falls, as well as injuries from falls.  The unique structure of SmartCells, also known as dual-stiffness flooring, provides users with a stable standing surface that will not cause a balance impaired person to lose their balance, while at the same time provide significant cushioning if a fall does occur.

Comparative studies and research indicate substantial reduction in fall-related injuries such as contusions and skin tears when using SmartCells fall injury prevention mats and flooring.

SmartCells Fall Protection mats combine effectiveness with style and quality, including features like a low profile height (1/2”) and molded-in beveled edges which reduce tripping hazards and allow most wheeled objects to roll over the mat, without needing to move it out of the way.

SmartCells Fall Protection products are made of latex-free rubber that will not absorb liquids, which reduces the risk of contamination and infection and allows them to be easily cleaned.  Independent testing, using widely accepted protocols (ATSM F355 – 10a) indicates that SmartCells cushioning technology is 2 – 4 times more effective at attenuating impact forces than other products that are nearly twice as thick.

SmartCells Fall Protection products are available in a variety of colors (Black, Light Brown, and Grey) and configurations ranging from build-your-own mats and custom flooring to pre-sized mats (2×3, 3×5 and 24×68).

As is illustrated by the HAPPI Project, injury prevention is a worldwide issue where SmartCells has become an important solution provider.

In celebration of the Holiday Season, SATECH is offering a 10 percent discount on all SmartCells Fall Protection and Anti-fatigue products through their online retail store.

SATECH Inc. is a technology company that specializes in the development and marketing of SmartCells cushioning solutions that enhance performance, reduce fatigue and help prevent fall-related injuries. SmartCells mats and flooring have broad application in the industrial workplace, healthcare markets, and everyday consumer households. For more information, please call (360) 748-8711, visit www.smartcellsusa.com or view the following video: http://dev.smartcellsusa.com/about/videos/ .

###

View Original Press Release

Experience the Holiday Season in Comfort

SATECH, Inc. Releases All-New SmartCells Anti-Fatigue Basket Weave Mat

The holidays are a time to relax but between braving crowds to finish holiday shopping and long hours on your feet in the kitchen baking holiday treats, relaxation and comfort seems like the last thing you experience.

“The SmartCells Anti-Fatigue basket weave mat adds comfort and relief in any area of your home where you are standing or kneeling on hard surfaces for prolonged periods of time,” said Bryce Betteridge, President of SATECH, Inc.

Available in three different colors (Black, Light Brown, and Grey) as well as three different sizes (2X3, 3X5 and  24X68), the all new SmartCells Anti-Fatigue Basket Weave mat is built with the renowned industrial quality and combines features such as beveled edges and stability with style and elegance that blends perfectly in any room in the house.  SmartCells mats are also available with a smooth surface or with a replaceable carpet-top insert to dress up any room.

The unique SmartCells cushioning technology will provide comfort for anyone who stands for extended periods of time. The SmartCells® cushioning technology consists of a rubber surface layer integrated with an underlying array of cylindrical rubber cells that soften in response to surface pressure to provide maximum fatigue relief. The SmartCells act like springs that cushion as weight is applied and then rebound when the weight shifts, which returns energy and reduces fatigue associated with standing.

SATECH’s SmartCells Basket Weave anti-fatigue mat adds comfort and style to any room in your house.

Shopping for quality anti-fatigue mats can often be difficult and confusing, but through SATECH’s website consumers can compare SmartCells anti-fatigue technology to foam and gel mats, read consumer testimonials, watch informative SmartCells videos and view the several variations of SmartCells Anti-fatigue and fall protection products.

For those who are simply too mobile to enjoy the benefits of the all-new SmartCells basket weave anti-fatigue mat, SATECH, Inc. recently launched a new line of SmartCells Anti-fatigue insoles that provide SmartCells cushioning relief anywhere they go.

SmartCells® Insoles are available in three styles that easily slip into most shoes:  a Standard flat style, for use with or without orthotics, as well as Therapeutic and Active Orthotic styles that offer additional arch and heel support, personalized for size and tuned to the nature of the users’ activities

In celebration of the holiday season, SATECH is proud to offer a 5 percent discount on all SmartCells Anti-Fatigue and Fall Protection products ordered through SATECH’s online retail store.

SATECH Inc. is a technology company that specializes in the development and marketing of SmartCells cushioning solutions that enhance performance, reduce fatigue and help prevent fall-related injuries. SmartCells mats and flooring have broad application in the industrial workplace, healthcare markets, and everyday consumer households. For more information, please call (360) 748-8711, visit www.smartcellsusa.com , or view the following video: https://www.smartcellsusa.com/technology/videos/ .

###

SmartCells Anti-fatigue Mats and Flooring Can Help Reduce Fatigue-Related Prescription Errors

According to the Federal Drug Administration approximately 1.3 million people are injured each year due to preventable medication mistakes. These preventable medication-mistakes cost the healthcare system $2 billion each year.

Statistically, a pharmacist fills a prescription every 7.5 minutes.  8 every hour.  64 every day.  321 every week.  16,667 every year.

According to a recent study, nearly 4 billion prescriptions are filled each year and there are only about 240,000 pharmacists nationwide.  With these kinds of numbers it should be no surprise that over 51.5 million prescription mistakes occur every year, and any reasonable step than can be taken to avoid mistakes is worth considering.  Most pharmacists concur that distractions and fatigue can significantly contribute to these numbers.

Pharmacists can spend a great deal of time on their feet walking between storage isles, compounding areas, computer terminals, customer service counters.  This extended time standing and walking can contributes to fatigue and pain that leads directly to nagging distractions that can in-turn manifest themselves in mistakes.  This is corroborated in a recent study by the Journal of the American Medical Association that found that 13% of all workers experience pain at the workplace that contributes lost productive time.

SmartCells Anti-Fatigue Flooring – Rx

SmartCells anti-fatigue flooring and matting is one solution applied by leading pharmacy groups, including the US Military and leading care providers throughout the country.

SmartCells Anti-fatigue custom flooring, mats, and runners provide a potent contribution towards reducing fatigue-related pain that can lead to mistakes caused by pharmacists who are distracted by pain from standing and moving daily. The unique SmartCells® cushioning technology consists of a rubber surface layer integrated with an underlying array of cylindrical rubber cells that soften in response to surface pressure to provide maximum fatigue relief. The SmartCells act like springs that cushion as weight is applied and then rebound when the weight shifts, which returns energy and reduces fatigue associated with standing.

SmartCells anti-fatigue products provide an optimized compressibility that is stable and responds dynamically to subtle and overt movements of the body.  Typical soft and squishy mats do not provide the right compressibility, are often unstable, and frequently bottom-out aggravating the very problems the users are seeking to solve with a floor mat.

Pharmacists who have already adopted the SmartCells Anti-Fatigue technology typically have this to say about it:

“The SmartCells® Anti-fatigue floor Mat is the best mat I’ve used in over 30 years as a pharmacist. It looks and performs as well as the day it was installed over 7 years ago (2006). The mat stays in place and doesn’t shift around on the floor. What I like best is going home after a long (or 12 hour) shift with no foot, leg or back discomfort. The SmartCells Mat is a champ!”

The renowned SmartCells cushioning technology by SATECH, Inc. is trusted by leading companies that take employee safety, comfort and productivity seriously.

The SmartCells anti-fatigue technology is especially important where infection control is critical.  SmartCells are made of non-porous rubber that will not absorb liquid, unlike typical foam mats.

With the addition of SATECH’s new online retail store, acquiring SmartCells anti-fatigue products for your pharmacy or lab has never been easier. On SATECH’s website consumers can view different variations of SmartCells products, learn about the technology and determine which solution is best for you.

SmartCells Anti-Fatigue Mats Receive Top Rating in Standing Desk Review

Since switching to a standing desk over the summer, I’ve experimented with standing on my soft carpet, in running shoes and on a foam mat. None of these experiments made much of a difference in how I felt at the end of the day. I typically stand for three to five hours per day, and I usually feel a little stiffness in my knees and lower back and some tenderness in my feet by the time I’m ready to knock off for the evening.

When I started using a SmartCells mat, I noticed that I was able to stand longer and felt more energetic at the end of the day. I took fewer breaks with my trusty barstool, and my average daily standing time increased to five to seven hours. There have been a few days where I didn’t really take any breaks at all.

The stiffness in my knees and back is also greatly lessened, and my feet don’t feel any worse for the extra wear and tear.

While I was hoping that SmartCells mats would help, I was surprised by to see what a big difference they made.

Highly recommended

If you’re serious about using a standing desk, you owe it to yourself to try a SmartCells mat. It’ll help you stand longer and feel more energized than whatever you’re using now.

And the high-quality construction means you’ll enjoy the benefits for years to come.

 

Read the whole review at DeskHacks.com

 

Reviewed By: Josh Earl, Deskhacks.com

SmartCells Fall Protection Products Featured at LeadingAge — Idea House, Interface, Best Bath

Chehalis, Wash.,

SATECH, Inc. is pleased to announce that its renowned line of SmartCells Fall Protection products will be featured in the Idea House, Interface and Best Bath exhibits at the 2013 Leading Age Annual Meeting and Expo taking place on Oct. 27-30 in Dallas, Texas.

The Annual LeadingAge expo provides thousands of senior living professionals the ability to network while attending educational sessions about aging-in-place solutions and showcasing products that help the elderly remain independent and age-in-place safely.

The Idea House, demonstrating technological advancements and new design concepts, will showcase SmartCells Fall Protection flooring in a fully furnished home environment.  Interface will exhibit the SmartCells cushioning system with a wide assortment of Interface floor coverings, as well as provide an introduction to the new, modular SmartCells build-your-own fall protection area mats. Best Bath will highlight SmartCells Fall Protection matting as an integrated safety solution in their walk-in showers.

“With no recorded hip fractures on any SmartCells Fall protection surface, our products will be there to cushion the falls of your loved ones when you can’t be,” says SATECH, Inc. President, Bryce Betteridge.

A recent study conducted by the American Association of Retired Persons found that nearly 90 percent of seniors prefer to age-in-place and that even if it meant day-to-day assistance, 82 percent of seniors still wish to live independently in their own home.

Nearly 35 percent of people over the age of 65 fall each year and each fall can be potentially fatal for this vulnerable population. Simply preventing a fall isn’t enough; we need to prevent injuries from falls.

Sadly, we can’t always be there for our elderly loved ones so it is important to establish the necessary safety precautions to keep these loved ones safe and protected while honoring their wishes to age-in-place and remain independent.

SmartCells Fall Protection products help prevent falls as well as prevent serious injury. The unique SmartCells dual –stiffness technology provides stability for balance impaired persons and care givers, while at the same time providing life-saving cushioning to protect our loved ones when they fall.

SmartCells Fall Protection mats combine effectiveness with style and quality, including features like a low profile height (1/2”) and molded-in beveled edges which reduce tripping hazards and allow most wheeled objects to roll over the mat, without needing to move it out of the way.

SmartCells Fall Protection products are made of latex-free rubber that will not absorb liquids, which reduces the risk of contamination and infection and allows them to be easily cleaned.  Independent testing, using widely accepted protocols (ATSM F355 – 10a) indicates that SmartCells cushioning technology is 2 – 4 times more effective at attenuating impact forces than other products that are nearly twice as thick.

Making sure elderly loved ones are protected even when you can’t be there for them has never been easier. With the recent introduction of SATECH Inc.’s new online retail store, consumers can view different variations of SmartCells products, learn about the technology, determine which solution is best for them and order SmartCells fall protection products from the comfort and convenience of their home.

SATECH Inc. is a technology company that specializes in the development and marketing of SmartCells cushioning solutions that enhance performance, reduce fatigue and help prevent fall-related injuries. SmartCells mats and flooring have broad application in the industrial workplace, healthcare markets, and everyday consumer households. For more information, please call (360) 748-8711, visit www.smartcellsusa.com or view the following video: https://www.smartcellsusa.com/technology/videos/ .

###

View Original Press Release

SATECH, Inc. Proudly Launches SmartCells® Anti-Fatigue Insoles

Chehalis, Wash.

After years of research and development, SATECH, Inc. is proud to announce the launch of a new generation of anti-fatigue insoles for industrial and consumer use.  Based on the same renowned technology as their anti-fatigue mats, runners and flooring, the SmartCells® anti-fatigue insoles provide relief on-the-go for individuals who spend extended time on their feet and are too mobile for mats or runners.

“For years our clients and ergonomic experts have been urging us to adapt our unique SmartCells®  anti-fatigue technology to footwear, and we are proud to finally make this goal a reality,” says Bryce Betteridge, President of SATECH, Inc. “There’s a new footprint in town; it’s not gel, it’s not foam.  It’s SmartCells®!”

SmartCells® Anti-fatigue Insoles are available in three styles that easily slip into most shoes:  a Standard flat style, for use with or without orthotics, as well as Therapeutic and Active Orthotic styles that offer additional arch and heel support, personalized for size and tuned to the nature of the users’ activities.

SmartCells® cushioning technology is distinguished by the array of “Smart” cells that cushion and absorb force like miniature springs, and are highly responsive to changes in pressure, so that when an individual’s weight is shifted they return their stored energy.

The SmartCells® anti-fatigue technology is significantly different than typical foam or gel insoles, which can break down quickly and lack some critical features to optimize fatigue relief.  SmartCells® become softer as they are compressed, just the opposite of foam, and are highly responsive, unlike gel.  The result is an extraordinarily comfortable cushion that actively adjusts to body movements and is unique to any insole on the market.

Throughout the extensive product development effort, SATECH, Inc. received valuable input from researchers and users to enhance comfort and fatigue relief.  A corporate ergonomic study evaluating workers using SmartCells® Insoles found a 22 percent decrease in discomfort that interfered with their ability to work. Feedback from users has been overwhelmingly positive with typical comments from early adopters such as:

  • “My leg muscles were aching on a normal basis after a day at work. Now they feel good…no aches. Back muscles seem to not ache, as well.”
  • “I want to put my shoes on and just go anywhere. I look forward to wearing them.”
  • “[I feel] better and able to move easier. I have noticed I move faster and with less knee/leg discomfort.”

The product launch of SmartCells® Anti-fatigue Insoles is perfectly timed to provide customers with plenty of opportunity to order them as Holiday gifts for anyone on their shopping list who is frequently standing or on-the-go.

SATECH Inc. is a technology company that specializes in the development and marketing of SmartCells® cushioning solutions that enhance performance, reduce fatigue and help prevent fall-related injuries. SmartCells® mats and flooring have broad application in the industrial workplace, healthcare markets, and everyday consumer households. For more information, please call (360) 748-8711, visit www.smartcellsusa.com , or view the following video: http://dev.smartcellsusa.com/about/videos/ .

###

View Original Press Release