Last week, it was announced Valley View Home will pay $161,516 for 120 electric beds from Earthwind Medical Co., doing business as Healthy Alternatives, a local business owned and operated by Chuck and Cindee Banas of Tyrone.
Valley View Director Jack Spayd told The Daily Herald the beds will replace ones bought in the 1970s.
“The beds we have are primarily the original beds from that era, said Spayd. “They’re actually in good shape. They’re crank-operated and have side rails. However, what’s transpired over the last several years is there’s been a tremendous focus on injuries caused by side rails and entrapment. We’ve been very fortunate to not have these injuries.”
He added, “Side rails have become a very intensely scrutinized issue.”
He explained that approximately one year ago, studies showed the beds should not have more than one-and-a-half inches between the mattress and side rails. Since then, Valley View began research to replace the older beds to eliminate any chances for injury.
Spayd said the staff wanted the new beds to meet state regulations and other independent research group regulations. Also, the new beds would have to be electric to provide greater empowerment for residents to be able to work the beds themselves.
“The beds will cut down the use of side rails. The fewer side rails, the safer,” said Spayd.
For the older beds, the staff at Valley View is trying to determine if other county institutions can use them. If not, the beds will most likely be advertised for sale.
“The staff’s excited about it, and we’re looking forward to adding them,” added Spayd about the arrival of the new beds.
“We’re very, very happy to have been awarded the bid,” added Chuck Banas of Healthy Alternatives. “It’s good to be able to deal with the local county here.”
Banas said that Healthy Alternatives is working closely with Valley View Home administration and that within six to eight weeks the new beds should arrive at the home.
Located near the Bald Eagle Intersection, the local business of Healthy Alternatives has quietly grown since it was first founded in June of 2000. Owned and operated by Chuck and Cindee Banas, Healthy Alternatives has had continuous growth that in turn has provided employment to nine Tyrone and Snyder Township residents.
Healthy Alternatives provides medical equipment for purchase or rental, medical and surgical supplies, medical gloves, janitorial products and capital equipment.
The market for Healthy Alternatives is very wide-spread. Currently, the facility is providing products to long term care centers, personal and assisted living centers, physician offices, dental clinics, and individuals requiring any sort of medical equipment and supplies. Healthy Alternatives has also expanded its line to work with hotels, daycares, janitorial supplies, restaurants, kitchen equipment, carpeting, linen and furniture.
In the immediate area, Healthy Alternatives supplies a wide variety of supplies to area residents. This includes such items as oxygen, hospital beds, wheelchairs, sports medicine products, diabetic supplies and equipment, ostomy supplies, safety aides and wound care equipment and supplies.
Chuck Banas has been in this business for 27 years and Cindee Banas for 22 years.
