Diabetic and Ostomy Supplies
Diabetic Testing Supplies
Ostomy Supplies
Ostomy Education
Diabetic Testing Supplies
We carry just about every testing product that diabetics
need on a daily basis. We make it as simple as possible
for
our members to get the care they need. We accept Medicare,
Medicaid, Private insurance and most forms of personal
payment methods. Our members never have to worry about
running out of supplies. Convenience plus great support
equal a healthy and happier diabetic.
When people with diabetes can control their blood sugar (glucose),
they are more likely to stay healthy. People with diabetes
use two kinds of management devices: glucose meters and other
diabetes management tests. Glucose meters help people with
diabetes check their blood sugar at home, school, work, and
play. Other blood and urine tests reveal trends in diabetes
management and help identify diabetes complications. Self-Monitoring
of Blood Glucose
The process of monitoring one's own blood glucose with a
glucose meter is often referred to as self-monitoring of
blood glucose
or "SMBG." Portable glucose meters are small battery-operated
devices.
Diabetic Test Strips
We offer you top quality diabetic testing supplies online.
Diabetic test strips or glucose test strips are thin, one-time
use, pieces of plastic that are placed into a meter to read
your blood glucose levels. Blood can be either dropped onto
a test strip or drawn into one, depending on the type. Diabetic
Test Strips: Accuracy
For accurate results, follow a specific routine. Remember
to code your meter with every new box of test strips. Be
sure to use control solutions. This is the only way to know
that your test strips are accurate. One test per box is usually
sufficient unless you left the remaining strips exposed for
a prolonged period of time. If you get an abnormally high
or low test reading (a number that does not match your symptoms),
check that your meter is coded properly; then do a control
test before adjusting medications. Don't reuse lancets; this
will lead to calluses, infections and increased pain.
Make sure that the test strips you purchase are compatible
with your blood glucose monitor. Strips sold by third parties
or generic diabetic test strips (only available in Europe
and Asia) are less expensive and should be used only with
the meters for which they are recommended. Many times there
are test strips being sold that have a discontinued monitor.
Make sure to always check on the compatibility between monitors
and test strips before you buy.
DIABETIC LANCETS
Lancets are used for diabetic testing. It's the device that
punctures the finger (or alternative site for most new
meters) to extract blood for testing. Diabetic lancets
are available in different gauges. The gauge of the lancet
refers width of the metal point. The higher the gauge,
the smaller the perforation the lancet makes. Usually a
higher-gauge lancet is less painful to use, but it may
be harder to get an adequate amount of blood with a higher-gauge
lancet.
Some individuals use lancets alone to get a blood sample.
This method can sometime be painful so most people prefer
to use some type of diabetic lancing device. A lancing device
uses a spring mechanism to insert the lancet into the skin.
It also allows the user to adjust the depth depending on
the thickness of the skin and sensitivity of the fingertip.
In this way, enough blood can be obtained without causing
unnecessary pain. In most cases, when you buy a blood glucose
monitor a lancing device is included.
Lancets and automatic lancing devices are frequently provided
as part of blood glucose monitoring kits. Most lancet devices
come with short and long lancet covers to provide different
degrees of penetration, and many have adjustable covers or
caps. Generally, people who are first-time users, children,
or people with delicate skin prefer a longer cover for more
shallow penetration of the lancet. People who have tougher
skin or poor circulation choose a shorter cover for deeper
penetration by the lancet. An individual may need to use
different lancet covers for different fingers or when finger
temperature affects blood flow.
Ease of resetting the lancet for the next use varies. Some
products require the cover to be removed so that the lancet
can be pushed back into position. Others have a simple push-pull
mechanism that resets the spring. The latter may be preferable
for children or people with coordination problems.
It's a good idea to keep an automatic lancing device at each
place you may test-at home, at work, at school-so you won't
have to carry one from place to place. Automatic lancing
devices are inexpensive and last a long time, so owning more
than one should be affordable. Remember that you should never
share your automatic lancing device because of the small
but real risk of transmitting disease by
contaminated blood.
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Ostomy Supplies
Mercer Health accepts Medicare assignment
for appliances and accessories!
If you have a colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy, and are on
Medicare or have major medical insurance, your ostomy supplies
may be covered! To find out if you qualify, contact Mercer
Health at 419-584-0143. We make
it easy.
Here's how our service works: 
• Ostomy supplies delivered directly to your home
• Brands you know and trust
• Discreet packaging to ensure your privacy
• No up-front, out-of-pocket expense*
• No inconvenient trips to the pharmacy or medical
supply
store
• No waiting for reimbursement from Medicare or your insurance
carrier
• 100% satisfaction guaranteed**
Here's how it works: When you sign up for our service, we
will deliver the ostomy supplies your physician has authorized
directly to your home, and if you are eligible, we will
bill Medicare or your insurance on your behalf. The only payment
you may be responsible for is a co-payment or insurance
deductible if it applies. When it's time for your next order, we will
contact you to make sure you are not without the ostomy
supplies your physician has authorized. And your satisfaction is guaranteed.
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Education:
CARING FOR YOUR STOMA
A stoma (the Greek word for mouth) is shiny, wet and red
in color, similar to the inside lining of your mouth. It
will usually have a round or oval shape, varying in size.
After surgery, the stoma will appear swollen. The swelling
will go down and gradually shrink in size after a few months.
During this time, it is necessary to continue to measure
your stoma, making sure the pouching system fits correctly.
A stoma does not have nerve endings; therefore, it doesn't
transmit pain or other sensations. It is, however, rich in
blood vessels and may bleed slightly if irritated or rubbed.
This is normal, but if bleeding is prolonged or if discharge
from the stoma is bloody, be sure to contact your doctor.
The skin surrounding the stoma, called the peristomal skin,
must be protected from direct contact with discharge, which
may irritate the skin. The peristomal skin should be gently
cleansed with plain soap that leaves no residue and then
rinsed with water during each change of the ostomy pouching
system. Water will not enter a stoma because of its gentle
outward contractions, so it is not necessary to cover the
stoma while bathing or showering.
OSTOMY POUCHING SYSTEMS
Today's pouches, made from odor-barrier material, are
lightweight and have a low profile under clothing. They come
in one-piece
and many two-piece systems, designed to give you the fit
you need, as well as the comfort, flexibility and security
you deserve. An ostomy pouching system consists of a special
adhesive skin barrier and a drainable or closed-end pouch.
GUARD AGAINST SKIN IRRITATIONS
To make sure you have the proper pouch fit you will need
to measure your stoma frequently, especially during recovery
when the stoma is in the process of shrinking to its permanent
size. To be on the safe side, measure your stoma every time
you purchase supplies.
THE HUMAN URINARY SYSTEM
The kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra make up the urinary
tract. The kidneys, two bean-shaped organs located just below
your ribs toward the back, produce urine by filtering water
and harmful waste from the blood. Urine drains from the kidneys
through two small tubes called ureters into the bladder.
When you are ready to urinate, the urethra relaxes and urine
passes out
of the body.
Ureterostomy
A ureterostomy is created when the bladder has been removed.
One or both of the ureters are redirected from the kidney
through the abdominal wall. An opening is placed on the patient's
side.
Ileal Conduit
The most common type of urinary diversion, the ileal conduit,
is created after the bladder has been removed. A small piece
of the small intestine (ileum) is surgically removed and
used as a conduit. The two ureters that carry urine from
the kidneys are attached so they will empty through this
new conduit. Then, the other end of the ileal conduit is
brought out through the abdominal wall and a stoma is created.
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