Jobskin Measuring System

Two Jobskin paper tapes are used for the lower limb. The grey Jobskin paper tape is used for any garments below the knee (ie knee high, anklet) and the teal Jobskin paper tape is used for all waist-high and thigh-high garments (which may or may not include below the knee). The coloured spine of the tape is placed along the length of the limb. One of the circumferential tapes is a solid colour (grey or teal) which is the first tape to be wrapped around the limb, and must be placed at the ankle. It is essential that the foot is at 90⁰ to the leg otherwise the ankle measurement will be too tight.

Moving both distally and proximally from the ankle tape, each tape is wrapped around the limb as a ‘skin measure’ (ie not pulled tight, and not loose) and adhered. If the final distal tape extends beyond the metatarsals on the foot, or if the final proximal tape is either too distal or too proximal to the gluteal fold, the spine of the tape can be pleated to correct the length – this will be independently recorded on the measuring form. When all circumferential tapes have been adhered, each can be torn (away from the spine) in order to remove the tape measure from the limb. The measurements can then be read from the tape and transferred to the Knee-high Anklet Toe Glove OR Thigh-high Waist-high OR Bodysuit measuring forms.

In addition, for all garments incorporating the foot, a foot trace is required which is included in the measuring forms. If toe measurements are required, they can be taken using the Jobskin Hand and Finger tape.

Routinely, the foot measurements are incorporated into the Below-knee (grey) and Full-length Lower Limb (teal) tapes. However, if the patient requires a Toe Piece, additional measurements are required. A foot circumference will need to be taken using the Jobskin retractable tape measure, and toe measurements are taken using the Jobskin Hand and Finger tape. The pointed end of the tape is inserted through the slit on the tab to create a loop. This is then placed over each measuring point of each toe (base of toe, circumference at point of finished length) and pulled to skin tension to obtain the measurement which is read at the ‘slit’. An outline trace of the foot is required using the measuring form, and linear measures of the digits and hand can be either taken with a ruler on the trace (recommended) or with a retractable tape measure between the toes. All measurements are to be recorded on the Jobskin Knee-high, Anklet and Toe measuring form.

The upper limb is measured using the Jobskin moss tape. The coloured spine of the tape is placed along the length of the limb. One of the circumferential tapes is also coloured ‘moss’ which is the first tape to be wrapped around the limb, and must be placed at the elbow. Moving both distally and proximally from the elbow tape, each tape is wrapped around the limb as a ‘skin measure’ (ie not pulled tight, and not loose) and adhered. If the final distal and proximal tapes extend beyond the limb, the spine of the tape can be pleated to shorten the distance – this will be independently recorded on the measuring form. When all circumferential tapes have been adhered, each can be torn (away from the spine) in order to remove the tape measure from the limb. The measurements can then be read from the tape and transferred to the Jobskin Armsleeve/Vest/Bodysuit/Glove Gauntlet measuring forms.

The hand is measured using the Jobskin Hand and Finger tape. The pointed end of the tape is inserted through the slit on the tab to create a loop. This is then placed over each measuring point of each digit (base of digit, PIP joint and DIP joint) and pulled to skin tension to obtain the measurement which is read at the ‘slit’. Circumferential measurements of the palm and wrist may be taken with this tape, or with a retractable tape measure. An outline trace of the hand is required using the measuring form, and linear measures of the digits and hand can be either taken with a ruler on the trace (recommended) or with a retractable tape measure on the hand. All measurements are to be recorded on the Jobskin Glove Gauntlet measuring form. NOTE: the Jobskin Hand and Finger tape can also be used to measure toes.

All measurements for garments for the head and neck are taken with the Jobskin retractable tape measure. The measuring guide is included on the Head, Neck and Face Mask form. It is essential that the specific garment is selected prior to measuring, as the measurements required for each garment differ. The required measurements are clearly indicated in the measuring rubric on the Head Neck and Face Mask form. Each measurement is skin tension (ie the tape is not pulled tight, nor left loose – rather it ‘hugs’ the surface) and are recorded directly into the rubric at the time of measuring.

All measurements for the torso are taken with the Jobskin retractable tape measure. If either upper or lower limbs are to be included in the prescribed garment, these measurements are taken with the appropriate paper tapes (see Upper Limb or Lower Limb measuring instructions). Torso measurements are clearly illustrated on the relevant measuring forms. Circumferential measurements are skin tension ie the tape is not pulled tight, nor left loose – rather they ‘hug’ the surface. Linear measurements are not contoured – rather they are taken as a ‘plumb line’. You may find it helpful to mark the patient’s back at the height of each circumferential measurements as you go, which will assist you in taking the linear measurements.