January 31, 2012 in Business, Business News, Household by jferris

Travertine Tiles Are Rising as a Flooring Trending Says Champion Tile and Marble

For homeowners that want a natural and elegant look to their floors, choose travertine tiles.

“I’ve had a great many clients chose travertine tiles when they wanted to upgrade their flooring. Basically, they wanted something elegant, easy to keep and beautiful. Travertine can do all that and more, and because it is in such high demand, you will find the price is a bit higher than other choices out there,” indicated Dean Dupre, who owns Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company.

Despite that price though, travertine is a popular choice for its longevity, particularly if a homeowner foresees selling in the near future. It is also a highly favored choice for architects and interior designers, largely because it has such an interesting personality. “Travertine tiles tend to look warm and inviting and a bit on the worn side, almost like they have a story to tell,” added Dupre.

It is so interesting in fact that the demand for this style hovers around the 0.85 million ton mark in just the United States alone. What many Americans do not realize, is that travertine is not just found in Italy, but in the western U.S. region. This does tend to bring the price down somewhat since it is available domestically, but it will still be slightly more expensive than other floor tile choices.

“If you love travertine, you can get it in two finishes – natural stone and filled and polished. What’s the difference? The natural look is just that; natural with pitting and it looks worn and comfortable. The filled and polished style features a high-gloss finish, making it a breeze to maintain. This second category is the main choice of interior designers and homeowners,” Dupre said.

Interestingly, many have mistaken travertine tile for marble, as it looks like marble when it has been filled and polished. Others mistake the natural travertine for limestone. “Ultimately, the best thing is that travertine is a natural mimic that stands up to close inspection, graces a home with its natural beauty and can be called anything you like, but still remains utterly beautiful.”

To keep travertine floor tiles looking their best, just sweep the tiles with a soft bristled broom. After sweeping, wipe the floor with a damp mop. “Just how easy is that?” asked Dupre. “Travertine is really popular and if you think you might like to have it in your home, give us a call and we can discuss your project.”

To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.

January 27, 2012 in Business, Business News by jferris

Long Surgeries Necessitate Better Therapeutic Surfaces for Patient Skin Integrity

A recent study in the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) Journal shows that patients can develop pressure ulcers when a surgery lasts more than three hours. How the patient is positioned, the table surface, and skin integrity all play a part. In particular, the researchers found that a foam pad and a lower initial Braden score helped to prevent or lessen ulcer development.

“The study showed that the table surface was a key component,” said Greg Grambor, president of Vascular PRN. “A big intervention that can help the patient stay comfortable and does more to prevent pressure ulcers is the Skin IQTM. It’s the latest negative airflow technology that prevents decubitis ulcers.”

The Skin IQ is also more budget-friendly than low air loss mattresses. The FDA has approved the Skin IQ for longer use, so the Skin IQ coverlet costs about $4.15 per day whereas a Low Air Loss mattress is about $30.00 a day. Perioperative nurses that can utilize a Skin IQ for patients and reposition them during and after surgical procedures will help patients stay comfortable and healthier.

“These strategies are easy to incorporate and relieve or redistribute the patient’s weight and wick away moisture,” said Grambor.

What is so unique about the Skin IQ is that it does have a foam layer, and two more layers of antimicrobial control. It pulls moisture down, cools the patient’s contact points, and performs 30 percent better than a typical medical mattress cover.

To learn more about the Skin IQ and how it can help in hospital settings or for pressure ulcer treatment, visit http://www.vascularprn.com/ or call 800.886.4331. On the site, visitors will also find out about Vascular PRN’s other products for sale or rent such as SCD boots, lymphedema pumps, and sequential compression devices. Vascular PRN has been helping surgery centers and hospitals, nursing homes, managed care organizations, and other institutions for decades throughout the United States. The Skin IQ is a registered trademark of KCI.

January 20, 2012 in Business, Business News by jferris

Big Spike in Knee Surgeries Calls for Compression Therapy Devices to Lessen Risk of Blood Clots

New statistics show a big increase in knee replacement surgery since the late 1990s. From 1997 to 2009, knee surgery increased for women ages 45 to 64 by 157 percent and men in the same range by 144 percent. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality attributes this to advances in knee surgery, better implants, and obesity that can cause the joints to be more compromised. Right after knee surgery, patients must be mindful of preventing blood clots as they are immobile while they initially heal.

“Sequential compression devices can be great for many patients who cannot walk or get around much in the first few weeks,” said Greg Grambor, president of Vascular PRN, which helps healthcare professionals nationwide fill prescriptions for SCDs and IPCs. “Patients should talk to their doctor about their risk for a blood clot, find out if mechanical compression is good for them, and be proactive before the day of the surgery.”

The American Journal of Surgery notes that compression therapy devices can lessen the chances of DVT post-surgery by 60 percent. Many patients get mechanical compression therapy devices along with medicine to help prevent blood clots. Knee and hip surgery carry a higher risk of blood clots, so patients should be prepared when they have these types of surgeries to address any concerns ahead of time.

“Blood vessels can get damaged during surgery and when you are restricted to bed rest, SCDs can help blood flow from the superficial veins to the deep veins,” said Grambor. “The devices are comfortable and there are some choices depending on how portable you want the compression therapy system to be.”

Vascular PRN is known for its full line of sequential mechanical compression devices for the full leg, calf, and foot. To learn more about renting or buying a Sequential Compression Device, SCD boots, or Lymphedema boots visit http://www.vascularprn.com/ or call 800.886.4331.

January 17, 2012 in Business, Business News, Household by jferris

Save Bathroom and Kitchen Walls from the Effects of Moisture by Installing Tiles Says Champion Tile and Marble

If the bathroom or kitchen does not have wall tiles, there may be wall damage.
“Not a lot of people realize that if their bathroom or kitchen does not have wall tiles that they may have paint or wall paper peeling more often than they think. It’s due to the moisture in the environment and the fact that it soaks through the paint or paper, which is then is absorbed by the plaster,” explained Dean Dupre, who owns Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company.

For those that may be considering selling their home in the near future, having tiled walls makes good resale sense. Thus, for homes with kitchens and bathrooms without wall tiles, it may be a smart idea to invest in getting those walls tiled to preserve them. There is nothing worse than a damp wall that has never dried out over the years and then one day, someone goes to hang a picture or something else, and a portion of the wall crumbles. “Why leave it until it is too late to do a credible repair job on the wall,” says Dupre, “when you can be proactive and deal with it before it becomes a problem later?”

The good news is that even if the bathroom is not tiled, the tiles needed to accomplish the job are not that expensive. “Usually, you’ll find ceramic tiles in a bathroom, and they are not that pricey,” Dupre commented, “plus they have such a wide variety of colors, styles and themes, that everyone can find something they like for a reasonable price.”

Other choices on the market are natural stone tiles, which have an intrinsic beauty and durability. Stone tiles look very appealing on floors and walls, and in some cases, are a better choice for a bathroom or kitchen depending on the amount of traffic each room gets. For those families with kids and animals, stone tiles may be the better choice.

“The interesting thing about tiles is that they were used extensively in ancient Egypt to dress up the interior of various buildings and residences. Their appeal has not diminished over the centuries, and they are still a popular choice for today’s homeowners,” Dupre said. History shows that thatched roofing was eventually replaced by ceramic roof tiles. Soon, someone discovered that glazing those same tiles made them even more appealing, because they repelled moisture.

“For a little bit of ancient Egypt in your bathroom or kitchen, you might want to choose glazed ceramic tiles and have a blast figuring out what pattern suits your tastes. Home renovations are a lot of fun when you get to play with patterns, textures and colors,” added Dupre.

To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.

December 30, 2011 in Business, Business News by jferris

Vascular PRN Helps Medical Professionals Address Patient Wound and Ulcer Concerns

It takes a renewed commitment by hospital and nursing home care staff to help patients avoid pressure ulcers and wounds. Recent case studies show that best practices must be used when a patient is admitted, and monitoring of ulcers and wounds must be done frequently to ensure a patient’s moisture levels, diet, and mobility concerns are addressed.

“Medical professionals must think proactively when the patient is at risk, not just after a serious ulcer or wound has occurred,” said Greg Grambor, president of Vascular PRNSM. “There are treatment protocols to help a patient prevent or address these concerns when they are clinically avoidable.”

The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel suggests that monitoring, evaluating and revising patients’ diets, repositioning them, knowledge of their hemodynamics, and support surfaces are critical to keeping ulcers and wounds under control. A key part of the medical professional’s role is to document all the steps taken to care for the patient, communicate to the patient and his or her family, and involve them in the decision-making process. Case studies show that a minimum of 35 percent of lawsuits for nursing home or hospitals involves poor documentation that does not sit well with a jury.

“The skin is such an important organ that is sometimes forgotten,” said Grambor. “There are very efficient, affordable products out there for medical professionals to rent or buy to lessen a patient’s risk and decrease their own liability.”

For example, a Skin IQ™ is an electrically powered mattress coverlet that prevents skin breakdown and pressure ulcers as well as a LAL mattress. At $6 a day for the Skin IQ versus a LAL mattress at $30 a day, it also helps to minimize costs. For venous stasis leg ulcers that can be slow to heal, compression pump therapy products can stimulate venous blood flow and increase fibrinolytic activity.

“Everyone on the team needs to be well versed in wound and ulcer care,” said Grambor. “From a CNA to the dietician, and even new staff when turnover occurs, should be able to consult the patient’s file and the facility’s guidelines on preventing and lessening these issues.”

Best practices also include photographing a patient’s wounds or ulcers on admission, keeping accurate records of the patient’s care, and noting his or her compliance with the care given. Tracking how the issues are addressed in the patient file, along with precise staffing records and consistent use of best practices for care can dramatically decrease a facility’s liability.

“Medical professionals should be able to know their patient from head to toe,” said Grambor. “Vascular PRN is here to help you get access to the equipment you need to address ulcers and wounds proactively, and we can make a difference in your patient’s health overnight.”

Vascular PRN has decades of experience helping nursing homes, surgery centers and hospitals, managed care organizations, and other institutions with compression therapy pumps and the new Skin IQ. To learn more about a Sequential Compression Device, SCD boots, or the Skin IQ coverlet, visit http://www.vascularprn.com/ or call 800.886.4331.

December 30, 2011 in Business, Business News, Household by jferris

Laying Ceramic Tile Over Existing Tile is Possible if Done Carefully Says Champion Tile and Marble

Do-it-yourself homeowners like to save time when laying ceramic tile, and often will lay it over existing tile.

“It’s not hard to lay ceramic tile over existing tile, but you do need to take care and take your time if you want an exceptional result and look,” remarked Dean Dupre, who owns Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company.

Typically, before even trying to put down a ceramic tile floor over existing tile, the condition of what is already down must be taken into consideration. If the existing tile is in good condition, the task will be a bit easier. Ceramic tile must be able to have a good and secure bond to what material is under it. “What you need to check to see if it is in good condition is to find out if the current flooring is still stuck to the subflooring and you don’t get hollow sounds underneath it. If those two things check out, you’re pretty much good to go,” Dupre commented.

The next step is to thoroughly clean the floor to get rid of any grease or dirt before putting anything on top of it. When done, scuff up the tile and grout to help the new mortar stick to the old tile. “Remember to trim your door jams as well, as adding tile on top of an existing floor usually raises the level,” cautioned Dupre. Throw in a new threshold plate and things should work well.

If the existing floor is not in good condition, then start the removal process by getting a sturdy pair of safety glasses. “This is not a fun job and if your eyes are not protected, you’re asking for trouble when you chip the existing tile away,” said Dupre.

If the subflooring is wood, and it was installed on cement backer board, this is a bonus. It is easier to remove. However, tasks such as chipping out the old flooring are better in the hands of a qualified Tampa flooring contractor, as they will ensure the results are professional.

To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.

December 27, 2011 in Business, Business News, Household by jferris

Choose Botticino Marble for Flooring Upgrades Says Champion Tile and Marble

People are starting to talk about Botticino marble when they speak to their Tampa flooring contractor about upgrading their home flooring to something different and stunning.

“Home decor choices are important to give a house its own personality, and to reflect your tastes as well. So, if you’re looking for something different to use when you upgrade your flooring, then consider Botticino marble. You won’t be disappointed that you did,” suggested Dean Dupre, who owns Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company.

Lately, this particular marble choice has been catching the eye of architects, homeowners and interior designers for a variety of reasons. It is just about unbreakable and is easy to maintain, two really good reasons to consider it for renovation projects. A slab of Botticino marble ranks very high on strength and durability, and that is what a cost conscious and smart homeowner is looking for to make their home stand out. “Whether you want to use it on the floor or for a wall, the end result is quite striking and you will have a look that lasts a lifetime,” added Dupre.

Flooring is an integral part of any home and many people overlook it in favor of that latest hot painting or sculpture, choosing vibrant colors for the walls and accents, but neglect the floor. That one mistake can change the whole feel of a room. “Make no mistake about it, flooring is far more important than some may even imagine,” said Dupre. “In fact, I’ve had customers tell me that they regretted not having their floors upgraded before they moved in, figuring they could get around to it whenever or do it themselves.”

While many homeowners are handy do-it-yourselfers, the vast majority would not know what to do with marble and grout to make it look professional. For this reason, should Botticino marble be chosen for the kitchen or bathroom, then consult a professional Tampa flooring contractor. “This is a job that needs to go well and have good results,” commented Dupre.

Botticino is a good choice for another reason – its moisture resistance makes it the ideal choice for use in showers, bathrooms, pool areas and kitchen backsplashes. Provided the marble is sealed properly, meaning the grout, there are no concerns about mold and mildew. An added bonus with this choice of marble is its stain resilience and ability to ensure heavy objects being moved on it. “Just sweep it regularly to keep ahead of the dust and hair and if you see a small stain, you may use oxygen bleach,” Dupre suggested.

To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.

November 30, 2011 in Business, Business News, Household by jferris

Flooring Experts Recommend Measuring a Space Twice Before Taking on a DIY Project

Do it yourself kind of homeowners will find their project easier if they take their time to do it right.

“There really is no limit to the kind of things a creative homeowner can accomplish on their own,” pointed out Dean Dupre, who owns Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. “In particular, with the wide selection of various tiles on the market today, they are sure to find just exactly what they want to suit their style and personality.”

Many people do not realize that adding ceramic tiles in different areas of the home increases the value of their home later. This is because the extra style and flair make rooms with the tiles conversation pieces and add an air of elegance to what could have been something ordinary. Intricate styles often capture the attention of buyers who appreciate quality workmanship.

“So, if you do it yourself, do it right the first time, and take the care needed to make the project look stunning when it is completed,” added Dupre. “In other words, measure and work out the details of what you want at least twice before you proceed.”

One of the nice things about ceramic tiles is that they come in just about any size and shape a person could imagine. In fact, they have far more versatility than laminate or wood flooring, which is a very personal choice for a homeowner. Ceramic tiles are easy to use, and there is very little waste when a project is done, particularly if it is done the right way.

“What do you do to ensure things are done the right way?” asked Dupre. “No joke, but measure your available space at least twice before you buy any supplies. This will give you the parameters of what you need and the sizes and types of tile to use. Also, if you’re going to be working in a wet room, this limits your tile selection. So make a note of that when you go tile shopping.”

Once the project details are worked out, assess the different tile options available. What tiles will look good in the space? Get samples and take some home to try them out before buying anything. “You will have to live with your project for many years to come, so make sure you really like the tiles you choose,” Dupre suggested. If all the information for the project is available before it is started, this prevents the installer from running out of materials.

In the final analysis, if a homeowner does not want to try installing ceramic tile on their own, they can always make arrangements for a professional Clearwater tile installation.

To learn more, visit http://www.champtile.com.

November 29, 2011 in Business, Business News, Environment by jferris

Town Advisories to Boil Water and Admit Presence of Bacteria Show Homeowners They Need to Get Water Distillers

Coliform bacteria’s presence in water would likely make anyone contemplating drinking it to boil it, just in case.

“Hanover, Mass. had a situation recently where the town discovered bacterial contamination in their water supply,” explained Larry Wardell, who writes for H2olabs.com, a provider of water distiller systems that provide truly pure distilled water. “To be more precise, they found coliform and E. coli during routine water testing. Further testing showed that the town’s distribution system still tested positive for coliform bacteria the next day they sampled the water, but not for E. coli. They found this distinction encouraging.”

The distinction between the presence of coliform bacteria and E. coli may seem minimal to end users of water, but to the town administration, it meant the difference between issuing a boil water advisory and not putting out that warning. Their rationale was that coliform bacteria is always present in most animal and human feces and is not specifically harmful to humans, and that the bacteria are used to call attention to the presence of contamination in a water supply.

“I don’t know about you, but if I was told there were coliform bacteria present in my drinking water, I’d be buying a water distiller or installing water distillation systems in my home,” Wardell commented. “I would not want to take any chances with my health, or that of my family’s. To me, and to most other Americans, if their water is contaminated with coliform or E. coli, I’d boil despite what the town told me until I had a way to ensure I had safe water.”

The town was able to track down the source of the pollution and shut it off, which led to several rounds of extra chlorine being pumped into the water supply until their samples tested clean. In the meantime, people would smell and taste the after effects. In other words, their water would smell and taste like a swimming pool until the town was sure the water was safe.

“Actually, the easiest way for local residents to deal with this issue was to use water distillers. That way they would have access to clean, fresh and safe water on demand, and they wouldn’t have to worry about whether they should drink their water or not,” said Wardell.

To learn more, visit http://www.h2olabs.com.

November 29, 2011 in Business, Business News by jferris

Last Months of 2011 a Last Chance to Review Individual Retirement Account (IRA) Contributions Reports Next Exit Retirement CEO

With only a few months left in 2011, it is time to look at IRA contributions.

“This is one of the best times to start looking at your 2011 IRA contributions and one of the smartest things you can do is add mutual funds to the account,” said Evan Tunis, president and CEO of Next Exit Retirement. “If you don’t know what type of funds will work to your advantage, then just call me, and we can discuss what would work the best.”

The beauty of IRAs is that they have many advantages that will make a smart investor quite pleased with the prospects for their future. The IRA can help manage retirement plans with flexibility and allows funds to be used in the IRA to be invested in non-traditional investments. “And that means, you could choose to invest in businesses, tax liens, real estate or even loans,” added Tunis.

The bottom line is that IRAs are very good alternatives for those who wish to diversify their investment portfolio, and all of the investments can be done within the same account envelope or structure. “That means it is a very handy tool for investors wanting to look to their future retirement and who want to grow their wealth to be ready to retire,” Tunis remarked.

“LLCs are often used in situations like this,” indicated Tunis, “as LLC programs let people secure their investments. That means that IRAs, which are time sensitive, tend to be good choices for those wanting a safer investment option with total control over the investments and the retirement funds.”

IRAs are a great way to save for the future. “If this appeals to you, call me and we can review your options. The advice is free and the expertise and customer service you get is superior. This is my job and I work to ensure your money works for your retirement,” Tunis stated.