What is a Pigg-O-Stat and is it Safe?
A pigg-o-stat, also known as the ‘Pediatric Immobilizer’ is an important tool for several pediatric procedures, most commonly x-rays.
It’s essentially an ‘all-in-one-immobilizer’ that keeps children protected and secure in their position during the pediatric procedures. The Pigg-O-Stat is effective alongside providing comfort and security.
This implies that X-rays and other similar procedures can be carried out in a smooth, quick and a stress-free manner. Beside allowing the staff to take accurate x-rays, it also provides protection to the patients and other technicians against the risk of radiation.
In addition to this, the Pigg-O-Stat has greater uses for the staff. In the past, the staff or the technicians would have to immobilize infants and children themselves, which led to a great deal of overexposure to radiation. With the Pigg-O-Stat, that concern has effectively been mitigated.
How to use a Pigg-O-Stat Pediatric Immobilizer?
Here’s a simple 6 step guide on setting up the Pigg-O-Stat immobilizer and using it.
Step 1: Preparing the Pigg-O-Stat immobilizer
It is important to prepare the immobilizer keeping in mind the age and weight of the child before starting the procedure. This can be done using the small and the large supports. Infants can take the small supports while patients out of infancy can take the larger ones for support.
Step 2: Seating the Patient
Ensure that the child’s feet are on either side of the seat. This will ensure less movement of the patient.
Step 3: Raise the Patient’s arms above their head:
Raising the patient’s arms vertically above his or head is essential as it prevents their hands from being X-rayed. This also ensures that the patient stays still in the seat without any movement.
Step 4: Secure the Supports
Having seated the patient, it is required to close the supports around the patient and secure them into place. Without physically harming the patient, lock the supports into place and wrap them as close as possible. This step also reduces mobility while keeping the patient comfortable and pain-free.
Step 5: Immobilize the patient’s head:
The next step is to secure the patient’s head in place. This is done by using the leather on the Pigg-O-Stat’s supports. This will not cause any physical harm and will prevent the patient from any accidental self while the X-ray is in process.
Step 6: The Final Check
The last check for the patient’s hands in the air, vertically above their head and should not have any room within the Pigg-O-Stat to escape or move around. This restraint is important as it ensures better radiographic imagery.
The Digital Pigg-O-Stat Immobilizer
Its table top and shelf are made of high density polyethylene in child pleasing primary colors that requires little to no-maintenance. Other moving parts are made of heavy plexi-glass.
Designed for positioning infants and young children alike for x-rays, the Pigg-O-Stat ensures that the child is secured safely, allowing the x-ray technician to complete their work efficiently without any complications.
This means that the amount of time that the child is exposed to radiation is significantly reduced as technicians are able to capture a great picture on their first try.
Without the Pigg-O-Stat, the medical professionals and/or parents would also risk spending a lot of time exposed to the radiation due to having to keep the child as still as possible for the x-ray. We can thereby say that the Pigg-O-Stat serves very beneficial and buying one makes all the difference.
Understandably so, some parents may be hesitant to expose their children to x-rays. But their importance cannot be undermined. Pediatric imaging helps doctors in getting a much closer idea of the development and growth of a child.
It also provides them with the knowledge of potential risk factors, which could be treated way before they become major health issues.
These procedures can now be relied upon for a safer and a less anxious experience. Thanks to the development of products like the Pigg-O-Stat, children and infants can have a hassle-free experience.
