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Since 1997, April has been designated as IBS Awareness month by IFFGD (International Foundations for Gastrointestinal Disorders) and listed on the National Health Observances calendar1. This date gives the ability to impact positive outcomes such as providing additional research, increased educational opportunities, and improved patient care for the functional gastrointestinal community1.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects the digestive system, causing symptoms such as stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation. Irritations tend to come and go over time and can last for days, weeks or months at a time2. In England and Wales, the number of people consulting for IBS is estimated to be between 1.6 and 3.9 million3. Unfortunately, although it is fairly common, IBS goes relatively undiagnosed and people are unaware that their symptoms indicate a medically recognized disorder1.
Traditional investigational methods can include invasive blood tests and lengthy waiting times for bloodwork analysis and results. Despite the fact that there is no direct test for IBS, the Gastrolyzer® range by Bedfont® Scientific Ltd. offers a quick and non-invasive breath analysis tool that can help when investigating a patient’s symptoms.
Hydrogen and Methane Breath Testing (HMBT) with the Gastrolyzer® range works by measuring exhaled levels of H2 & CH4 produced when the bacteria in the gut breaks down food. Interpreting these gas levels can help determine and/or rule out gastrointestinal disorders, such as carbohydrate malabsorption and sugar intolerances.
With results promptly displayed onscreen, it reduces the time of your patient’s discomfit, making HMBT an ideal tool for doctors, dietitians, and gastroenterologists.
All the necessary information about how you can help your patients with the Gastrolyzer® range products can be found on our website, https://www.gastrolyzer.com.
References:
1. Ibs awareness month [Internet]. About IBS. 2022 [cited 2023Mar6]. Available from: https://aboutibs.org/living-with-ibs/ibs-awareness-month/
2. NHS choices. NHS; [cited 2023Mar6]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs/
3. Irritable bowel syndrome [Internet]. NICE. 2015. [Cited 10th March 2023]. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs114/documents/irritable-bowel-syndrome-in-adults-qs-briefing-paper2
Med-tech company, Bedfont®, has received the highest accolade for their workplace initiatives
In just under 6 months, Kent County Council has presented Bedfont® with the highest award possible for promoting a positive work environment, a healthy work/life balance, and showing its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.
After joining the Healthy Workplace Programme last year, in October Bedfont® announced it had received 3 awards for their efforts to create a positive workplace environment. Now in just under 6 months, Bedfont® has excelled in building new initiatives and putting the wellbeing of employees at the forefront of the business, resulting in being rewarded with the Platinum status.
The programme, funded by the KCC and Medway Council, helps to support health and wellbeing at work with relevant policies, training and guidance(1). Recent studies have shown that those with a healthy work/life balance have more motivation and are more productive at work(2).
Jason Smith, Managing Director at Bedfont®, remarks, “I’m over the moon with having achieved the Platinum award in just under 6 months! It’s really great to be recognised for the efforts we are making to make Bedfont® a great and innovative place to work. Although this might be the highest achievement, there is always more we can do to improve; I look forward to the Bedfont® Family rising to the next challenge as we continue to grow.”
The Kent and Medway awards team, comments, “This award is the highest level of achievement within the programme and highlights Bedfont® Scientific’s commitment as a responsible business in the local community. Although it can be difficult to suggest improvements and progression for a business that works at the Platinum level, Bedfont® should be very proud of their work around health and wellbeing as they have implemented many great initiatives and ensure to maintain their current culture.”
References:
1. Council M. Healthy workplace programme [Internet]. Healthy Workplace Programme | Medway Council. [cited 2023Mar16]. Available from: https://www.medway.gov.uk/healthyworkplace
2. 10 statistics on work-life balance that May surprise you (2023) [Internet]. Apollo Technical LLC. 2023 [cited 2023Mar16]. Available from: https://www.apollotechnical.com/statistics-on-work-life-balance/
National No Smoking Day is an annual awareness day that serves as a campaign for greater awareness about the health dangers associated with smoking1. Bedfont® Scientific Ltd. has been helping people stop smoking for over 35 years with their Smokerlyzer® product range, which gives users instant Carbon Monoxide (CO) readings using a motivational traffic light system to guide them towards their quit goal.
Reports from NHS Stop Smoking Services in England between April 2021 and March 2022 have shown that of 178,198 adults setting a quit date, 54.8% were successful (97,654). And of those successfully quitting, 6.8% (6,640) had their results confirmed with a CO verification2. It’s never too late for patients to benefit from stopping smoking, as being a non-smoker or at least reducing the use of cigarettes, can improve the chances of being more physically active and healthier as we get older3.
Out of the over 8 million global deaths related to tobacco each year, over 7 million of those deaths are from direct tobacco use, while 1.2 million are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke4. Establishing a patient’s smoking status is a great way in providing them with helpful analysis and guidance throughout their stop smoking journey.
Studies have shown the attitudes that smokers have towards quitting smoking when using a handheld CO monitoring device. One study noted that out of 15.5% of people that were planning on quitting in the next 30 days, 75.3% reported the CO device increased their motivation, with 73.1% reported that seeing their CO levels made them want to quit smoking. Furthermore, after 12 weeks, the number of cigarettes smoked per day decreased by 41.4%5.
The Smokerlyzer® range by Bedfont® consists of 4 handheld breath analysis monitors, Micro+™, piCObaby™, piCO™, and iCOquit® – each of which tests the level of CO in a smoker’s blood. High levels of CO in the blood can lead to smoking related diseases such as heart disease, circulation problems and high blood pressure. The onscreen instant results for each monitor, coinciding with the interpretation guide provided, makes understanding results easy and convenient when acknowledging which traffic light system bracket a patient falls underneath.
Visit https://www.bedfont.com/smokerlyzer to learn more about how you can aid patients to stop smoking, one breath at a time, with the Smokerlyzer® range.
References:
- Twinkl.co.uk. [cited 2023Feb2]. Available from: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/event/no-smoking-day-2023
- Statistics on NHS Stop Smoking Services in England- April 2021 to March 2022 [Internet]. NHS. 2022. [Cited 20th February 2023]. Available from: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/statistics-on-nhs-stop-smoking-services-in-england/april-2021-to-march-2022
- Smoking [Internet]. BHF. [cited 2023Feb2]. Available from: https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/risk-factors/smoking
- Tobacco [Internet]. World Health Organisation. 2022. [Cited 10th February 2023]. Available from: https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tobacco
- Marler JD, Fujii CA, Wong KS, Galanko JA, Balbierz DJ, and Utley DS. Assessment of a personal interactive carbon monoxide breath sensor in people who smoke cigarettes: single-arm cohort study. Journal of Medical Internet Research. 2020;22(10):1-24. DOI: 10.2196/22811.
Many types of medical gas are used every day, in hospitals, dentists, vets, and vets; with healthcare workers and patients alike at risk of being exposed, medical gas safety is paramount.
Despite strictest legislation, medical gas exposure can occur and regrettably, this was the case for staff at a maternity unit in Basildon Hospital, who were said to have been exposed to 30 times the workplace legal exposure limit for Nitrous Oxide.
The gas leak was reported after routine checks and luckily, no mortalities have been reported.
Bedfont Scientific Ltd., a medical device and gas monitor manufacturer, based in Kent, was established in 1976 because of a tragic medical gas error, whereby a patient at a London hospital was administered N2O instead of O2. Bedfont invented the TM3 Gas differentiator – a simple device which could differentiate the two gases and ensure there were no cross-connections. Since then, Bedfont has developed a wide range of portable pipeline testing devices that conform fully with the requirements of UK Government Guidance in the form of the Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 02-01 and other relevant legislation.
Jason Smith, Managing Director at Bedfont Scientific Ltd., stresses, “This incident highlights the incessant need to continuously monitor medical gases, it is lucky that there were no fatalities with this case. There are exposure limits and legal standards for a reason; quite bluntly, if anything were to go wrong with medical gas, it is a matter of life or death.”
“Safety practices in the medical gas sector are the reason Bedfont exist; we strive to have the one-stop-shop for all medical pipeline testing needs so that all safety and technical procedures concerning the verification and validation of piped medical gas can be undertaken safely and in accordance with the strictest legislation. The Medi-gas Check range not only verifies the quality and quantity of gas in medical pipelines and administration points, but specific monitors in the range act also as a personal, portable alarm, providing the user with time weighted exposure to makes sure there are no leakages.”
For more information on the Medi-Gas range, please visit https://www.bedfont.com/medigas.
Local med-tech company, Bedfont® Scientific Ltd., is recognised for its Innovation for the 2ndyear in a row at the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce (KICC) Awards
On Thursday 17th November 2022, Kent’s esteemed businesses gathered at Westenhanger Castle for the annual Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce (KICC) Awards to celebrate the achievements of Kent companies. Bedfont is delighted to share that it has been named as Innovative Business of the Year, for the 2nd year running.
Bedfont, who design and manufacture breath analysis medical devices, have been trading since 1976, and export their products across the globe thanks to their network of carefully selected distributors.
Amidst the challenges posed by COVID, Bedfont® used its innovative nature to adapt its products and services to successfully navigate the pandemic, and as a result has come out the other side stronger, now offering remote breath testing devices.
Jason Smith, Managing Director at Bedfont, explains, “We created webinars and marketing materials to educate our customers on how they could safely continue breath testing. This led to a Healthcare Professional contacting us, asking for a way to help them continue CO monitoring for smoking cessation remotely. The iCOquit® was designed as a personal CO monitor, however we adapted this and the accompanying app and literature to enable the iCOquit® to be used for remote CO testing. This was so successful, the market then asked for a version to help expectant mothers quit smoking, and we provided –these innovative moves helped us succeed during a time of economic regression The Bedfont Family worked so hard to make this happen and I couldn’t be prouder to share this Innovation award with them.”
Stoptober is an annual initiative that encourages smokers to refrain from smoking for 28 days in October to serve as a stepping stone to permanently quitting.1 Bedfont® Scientific Ltd has been helping people stop smoking for over 35 years with their Smokerlyzer® range, which gives users instant Carbon Monoxide (CO) readings using a motivational traffic light system to guide them towards their quit goal.
Statistics from the NHS show that in 2020, 506,100 hospital admissions were attributable to smoking2, which is 10% higher than 2009/10. However, thanks to stop smoking efforts and tools such as the Smokerlyzer®, in just over 10 years, UK deaths attributable to smoking have decreased by 9%2, although a figure of 74,600 deaths2 is still very alarming.
By analysing a breath sample, the Smokerlyzer® can tell how much CO is in your lungs and blood that has been inhaled from smoking. Smoking builds high levels of CO in the blood, which can lead to heart disease, circulation problems, and high blood pressure. The Smokerlyzer® is a useful tool for Stop Smoking Services to establish a smoker’s status, whilst acting as a motivational visual aid to encourage patients to quit smoking and to measure their progress whilst doing so, helping individuals kick their tobacco habit, preventing cancers and other smoking related diseases attributed to smoking tobacco.
An assessment of cigarette smokers using a CO monitor by Marler et al. (2020), found that 75.3% reported the CO monitoring increased their motivation to quit, over 90% of smokers indicated the CO monitor taught them about their CO levels and their smoking behaviour, and 73.1% reported that seeing their CO levels made them want to quit smoking.3
Visit www.https://www.bedfont.com/smokerlyzer to learn more about how you can aid patients to stop smoking, one breath at a time, with the Smokerlyzer® range this Stoptober.
References:
1. What is Stoptober? [Internet]. Thestoptober.co.uk. 2022 [cited 23 September 2022]. Available from: https://thestoptober.co.uk/what-is-stoptober/
2. Digital N, Statistics on Smoking E, Smoking S, Statistics on Smoking E, tables S, Author C. Statistics on Smoking, England 2020 – NHS Digital [Internet]. NHS Digital. 2022 [cited 19 October 2022]. Available from: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/statistics-on-smoking/statistics-on-smoking-england-2020
3. Marler JD, Fujii CA, Wong KS, Galanko JA, Balbierz DJ, and Utley DS. Assessment of a personal interactive carbon monoxide breath sensor in people who smoke cigarettes: single-arm cohort study. Journal of Medical Internet Research. 2020;22(10):1-24. PMID: 32894829 PMCID: PMC7568220 DOI: 10.2196/22811.
Kent Family Business, Bedfont® Scientific Ltd., have been awarded Bronze, Silver, and Gold Kent and Medway Healthy Workplace Awards.
In 2022, Bedfont® joined the Healthy Workplace Programme, which involves building new initiatives and putting the wellbeing of employees at the forefront of the business. Bedfont is pleased to announce it has received 3 awards for their efforts to create a positive workplace environment.
The programme funded by the KCC and Medway Council, helps to support health and wellbeing at work with relevant policies, training and guidance(1). Recent studies have shown that those with a healthy work/life balance have more motivation and are more productive at work(2).
Jason Smith, Managing Director at Bedfont®, comments, “As a second-generation family business, Bedfont® has implemented workplace policies that focus on creating a friendly and positive workplace atmosphere with the Bedfont Family at its heart. We have been working hard to achieve a healthy work/life balance for our employees for some time now, and it’s really rewarding for us as an employer to know this has been recognised with the Healthy Workplace Awards. We look forward to continuing and improving upon these efforts, and we have our sights set on the Platinum award next.”
The Kent and Medway awards team, comments, “From the great evidence submitted and interviews conducted, it is evident Bedfont Scientific has created a very social and inclusive organisation which always looks at ways to introduce new initiatives and equally cares for the wellbeing of its customers as much as its staff. Well done to you and all your hard work in making Bedfont Scientific a lovely place to work”
References:
- Council M. Kent and Medway Healthy Workplace Programme | Medway Council [Internet]. Medway.gov.uk. 2022 [cited 6 October 2022]. Available from: https://www.medway.gov.uk/healthyworkplace
- 10 Statistics on Work-Life Balance That May Surprise You (2022) [Internet]. Apollo Technical LLC. 2022 [cited 23 September 2022]. Available from: https://www.apollotechnical.com/statistics-on-work-life-balance/
When a person’s airways are not working correctly, the resulting difficulty in breathing can be detrimental to everyday activities and lead to more serious health risks. According to the World Health Organization, asthma – a chronic condition where a person’s airways are narrow and inflamed, making airflow difficult – is a health condition that affected over 260 million people worldwide in 20191. On May 3rd, 2022, asthma care advocates celebrated World Asthma Day, which is dedicated to raising awareness of asthma worldwide. A World Health Organization collaborative organization called Global Initiative for Asthma, or GINA, selected the theme ‘Closing the Gap’ to highlight many gaps in asthma care which are an issue all year-round.
There are multiple gaps in present-day asthma care that can be addressed to improve the general health of people with asthma. Through education services and user-friendly technology such as the NObreath® monitor, life sciences company Bedfont® Scientific Ltd. covers many topics that close the gaps in asthma care that GINA outlines. This blog post will highlight how FeNO monitoring with NObreath® solves some of these issues.
How the NObreath® Monitor Addresses Gaps in Asthma Care Access and Delivery
Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) levels can be used as an indicator of airway inflammation, a common sign of asthma. The NObreath® is a fractional exhaled nitric oxide test monitor that easily and non-invasively measures expired breath nitric oxide3. This monitor is useful because it helps identify if a person requires regular asthma treatment such as medication.
As NObreath® is simple to use and is non-invasive, this device closes the gap between healthcare providers prescribing inhalers and a patient’s ability to use asthma care devices. Furthermore, this technology can be programmed for a range of patients, from children to adults, also addressing gaps between care for various age groups2,3.
NObreath® also bridges gaps in equal access to asthma care, between socioeconomic groups, and in different communities with a wide range of wealth diversity. The device is available for purchase in multiple countries, has no limits on its use, and operates with low-cost mouthpieces that have a long lifetime, making NObreath® a cost-effective solution to asthma care4.
How Bedfont’s Education Portal Addresses Gaps in Asthma Care Communication, Education, and Awareness
Bedfont® Scientific Ltd. also created an online education portal around NObreath® that helps solve other challenges to asthma care outlined by GINA. The portal includes various informational and training videos surrounding the device and effective asthma care that boosts communication and awareness about asthma to both people with asthma and health care providers alike.
The website includes videos explaining FeNO and interpreting FeNO test results in the context of asthma care which connects scientific evidence and education to the actual delivery of care2,5. Other videos cover topics such as explaining how to take a test, change parts, and charge the NObreath® monitor. These bolster the machine’s usability and accessibility and the general awareness of asthma as a chronic disease for people with asthma, the general public, and health care professionals2,5.
Bedfont® Scientific Ltd. Provides Solutions to Asthma Care Challenges
World leaders in breath analysis, Bedfont® Scientific Ltd. addresses multiple gaps outlined by GINA for World Asthma Day 2022 through the userfriendly NObreath® FeNO monitor and an education portal covering scientific concepts and practical learning.
References:
1. World. (2021, May 3rd). Asthma. Who.int; World Health Organization: WHO. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/asthma
2. World Asthma Day 2022 – Global Initiative for Asthma – GINA. (2022, April 6th). Global Initiative for Asthma – GINA. https://ginasthma.org/world-asthma-day-2022/
3. Bedfont® Scientific Ltd. (2022). Bedfont.com. https://www.bedfont.com/nobreath
4. NObreath® | Bedfont® GmbH. (2021, April 15th). Bedfont® GmbH. https://eurostore.bedfont.com/product/nobreath-2nd-generation/
5. Educational Portal – NObreath. (2018). NObreath. https://www.nobreathfeno.com/educational-portal/
April is IBS Awareness month, which first began in 1997 when IFFGD (International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders) wanted to steer focus toward providing health messages about the diagnosis, treatment, and life’s difficulties that come with IBS. (1) Although there is no direct test for IBS, traditional investigational methods can include invasive blood tests and lengthy waiting times for bloodwork analysis and results, meaning a longer time for your patients’ discomfort. With the Gastrolyzer® range of hydrogen and methane breath tests, IBS can be investigated both quickly and non-invasively.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome, commonly referred to as IBS, is a condition affecting approximately 1 in 20 people in the UK, causing symptoms such as stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation. These tend to come and go over time and can last for days, weeks, or months at a time. (2)
Unfortunately, although it is fairly common, IBS goes relatively undiagnosed and people are unaware that their symptoms indicate a medically recognized disorder.
Hydrogen and Methane Breath testing (HMBT) with the Gastrolyzer® range of breath analysis monitors can help to quickly and non-invasively detect and investigate IBS as well as other gastrointestinal disorders such as lactose intolerance, sugar intolerance, and SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth).
The Gastrolyzer® range works by measuring exhaled levels of hydrogen and methane produced when the gut breaks down food. Interpreting these gas levels can help to determine gastrointestinal disorders like IBS.
Both of these devices are ideal tools for doctors, dietitians, and gastroenterologists. Please see our website https://www.gastrolyzer.com for all the necessary information on how you can help your patients with our range today.
References:
1. International IBS Awareness Month [Internet]. International IBS Awareness Month. 2022 [cited 20 April 2022]. Available from: https://www.nicswell.co.uk/events/international-ibs-awareness-month-2022
2. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) [Internet]. nhs.uk. 2022 [cited 20 April 2022]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs