Doctor’s advice: The best medical devices to keep at home

What does a regular first aid box contain? 

Usually, it contains medical tape, gauze pads, first aid band aid and antiseptics. 

However, with time the concept of first aid box has widened. Now medical instruments like stethoscope, thermometer, oximeter, blood pressure machine and glucometer have become an integral part of first aid boxes.

Especially after the pandemic came and restricted our visits to the doctor's chambers, we should be re-considering expanding the first aid boxes. 

According to doctors, the prices of medical gears start from Tk 1500 and can go up to Tk 15,000. The range varies depending on the purpose and quality.

But for using at home, one does not necessarily purchase the high-end brands.

As not everyone has a doctor at home, doctors suggest concentrating on user friendliness when choosing a device for home. Also, one should focus on

availability, longevity and affordability. 

The Business Standard highlights a few brands of these devices.

Thermometer 
Recommended: Walgreens 30 second digital thermometer
Price: Within Tk 150 to Tk 500

The first aid box is almost incomplete without a thermometer. There was a time when people used manual thermometer to check body temperature. 

In the digital era, digital and infrared thermometers have come to existence. Md. Asfak Hossain, an ENT specialist, thinks either analogue or digital would do fine as an infrared thermometer isn't necessary for a household.

For digital thermometer some popular brands are Omron Digital Thermometer, Instant Thermometer FT, Rossmax TG 100 Digital thermometer. 

However, Dr. Md. Jahangir Alam Sarker, departmental head of Hepatology, Shaheed Suhrawardi Medical College Hospital, recommends Walgreens 30 second digital thermometer. The price range starts from Tk 150 and can go up to Tk 500.

Blood Pressure Machine
Recommended: ALPK2
Price: Starts from Tk 1,700

Blood pressure machine or BP machine is another must have item at home, especially if you have older people at home. 

There are digital BP machine brands like Nippon Bo machine, Jumper JPD-HA200, Omron Hem-7120 Automatic digital Bp machine. There is also digital wrist blood pressure monitor. Digital bp machines are life saving for those who cannot operate manual bp machine. 

However, the doctors seem to prefer ALPK2 over anything. 

According to a medical officer Jahin Atiq, this brand has the best kind of fabric on cuff. The reading it provides is accurate and does not create extra noise. 

On the other hand, another medical officer Sanjina Tabassum Sejuti thinks that despite being handy it has some drawbacks like the tendency of providing fluctuating reading after a few months. 

But she admits it being more reasonable than other brands for the price range. 

Price of ALP K2 starts from Tk 1700.

Stethoscope 
Recommended: MDF Acoustica Deluxe lightweight
Price: Within Tk 1,800 to Tk 2,500

Those who have a BP machine also have to purchase a stethoscope. 

Popular brands for stethoscope are BSMI light Wight Stethoscope, ALPK2 original dual head stethoscope, MDF Acoustica Deluxe lightweight and Littman Classic 3. 

Among them Litman Classic 3 is one of doctors' most favourite brand. 

Where doctor Jahin Atiq uses his Littman at home, doctor Asfak Hossain thinks MDF Acoustica to be handier to use at home. 

"There is no doubt that Littmann Classic 3 is the best stethoscope, but not affordable due to high price. Also, it is designed for professional use," he said. 

The most attractive part of using MDF is its longevity. It usually comes with a 5 years warranty and provides a sound performance. 

Price of MDF Acoustica Deluxe Lightweight Dual head stethoscope starts from Tk 1,800. It may go up to Tk 2,500. 

He added that it is a decent quality stethoscope at a reasonable price.

Glucometer 
Recommended: Quick Check blood glucose monitor
Price: Starts from Tk 750

Those who have diabetic people at home should have a glucometer for checking up on patients regularly. 

Biotech match blood glucose meter, Glucoleader enhance blueblood sugar tester, Bestcheck basic blood sugar are a few of the popular brands for glucometer. 

Rokshana Begum an assistant professor of Hepatology Department, Shaheed Suhrawardi Medical College said she prefers Quick Check blood glucose monitor. The fact that it provides accurate result within 5 seconds inspired her to go for the brand. 

It stores each test result in the memory so you can compare your results if needed. It can hold up to 200 test results from memory. 

It comes with a clear display and contains 10 quality needles and 10 test strips. You can buy the strips individually as well, when the existing ones are all used. 

She suggests Glucoleader as well. Though it takes a little longer, a high 8 seconds to show the results, it is accurate as well. It stores 150 test results and

has an abundant supply of test strips. 

The price range for this device starts from Tk 750. 

Accu-check is also a good choice as it gives near accurate results.  Though it is pricey, it is worth the price as the strips are available all over the country.

Pulse Oximeter 
Recommended: Beurer P0 30 fingertip
Price: Tk 3,500

In this era of coronavirus, the pulse oximeter has become a must-have device. 

At the start of the pandemic, there were a lot of debates over which brand to use. Also, there was confusion over the fluctuating price range of the device. 

After researching a while, Dr. Md. Jahangir Alam Sarker, chose to buy Beurer P0 30 fingertip pulse oximeter, which is made in Germany. It cost Tk 3,500 and has a one-year guaranty. 

"So far, I am happy with its service. The reading it provides is almost accurate and also affordable for common people" he said. 

He also suggested rechargeable BoxyM osport fingertip and Jumper pulse oximeter as reliable brands.