Functional incontinence results from a person's inability to safely and efficiently evacuate their urine. This is often the result of general debility which precludes their ability to either handle a urinal effectively or travel to the nearest toilet in a timely manner. The Incontovac provides a safe and effective alternative for the disabled individual through controlled urinal placement and stabilization.
It has long been recognized that one of the hazards of closed urinary transfer secondary to catheterization is the urinary tract infection, resulting from bacteria invading the body through the urethra and transversing the various organelles of the urinary tract. Urinary tract infections can cause pain, tissue destruction, compromise a normal functioning kidney and resultant death. These risks can be diminished by reducing the bacteria present at the entrance to the urinary tract, by using a open elimination system.
See Results of the newest reported study on Hospital Aquired Urinary Tract Infections below:
| Preventing Hospital-Acquired Urinary Tract Infection in the United States: A National Study - Abstract |
| Friday, 17 October 2008 | |
Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. Although urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common hospital-acquired infection in the United States, to our knowledge, no national data exist describing what hospitals in the United States are doing to prevent this patient safety problem. We conducted a national study to examine the current practices used by hospitals to prevent hospital-acquired UTI. We mailed written surveys to infection control coordinators at a national random sample of nonfederal US hospitals with an intensive care unit and >or=50 hospital beds (n=600) and to all Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals (n=119). The survey asked about practices to prevent hospital-acquired UTI and other device-associated infections. The response rate was 72%. Overall, 56% of hospitals did not have a system for monitoring which patients had urinary catheters placed, and 74% did not monitor catheter duration. Thirty percent of hospitals reported regularly using antimicrobial urinary catheters and portable bladder scanners; 14% used condom catheters, and 9% used catheter reminders. VA hospitals were more likely than non-VA hospitals to use portable bladder scanners (49% vs. 29%; P=.001), condom catheters (46% vs. 12%; P=.001), and suprapubic catheters (22% vs. 9%; P=.001); non-VA hospitals were more likely to use antimicrobial urinary catheters (30% vs. 14%; P=.001). Despite the strong link between urinary catheters and subsequent UTI, we found no strategy that appeared to be widely used to prevent hospital-acquired UTI. The most commonly used practices--bladder ultrasound and antimicrobial catheters--were each used in fewer than one-third of hospitals, and urinary catheter reminders, which have proven benefits, were used in <10% of US hospitals. Reference: PubMed Abstract PMID: 18171256 |
Payment Change Puts Spotlight on Preventing Hospital Errors
By Carolyn M. Clancy, M.D. October 21, 2008
Patients don't go into the hospital thinking they might get sicker because of the care they've received. But medical errors or lapses in care that harm patients happen. They occur despite the hard work many doctors, nurses, and hospitals have done to develop better ways of delivering care.
Medical errors take a big toll and can happen anywhere. One study found that mistakes cost insurers $9.3 billion in extra charges and caused 32,600 patient deaths each year. Medical errors happen in small hospitals and in big ones, including some of the best-known medical centers in the United States.
To address this problem, the Federal Government created a new rule. Starting October 1, it will no longer pay hospitals for the extra costs they charge when patients who are covered by Medicare (the Government health plan for people 65 years and older) develop some conditions as a result of the hospital's care. Patients cannot be billed for the costs of these conditions, either.
This first-ever list of "hospital-acquired conditions" includes events that can be sharply reduced or even eliminated, according to research by my Agency, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. They are:
- Infection following certain kinds of surgery, including some orthopedic surgeries and surgery for obesity.
- Blood clots or embolism that develop after knee and hip replacement procedures.
- Mixing up blood types.
- Air embolism (an air bubble in the blood stream).
- Serious pressure ulcers (or bed sores caused by infrequent changes of position for bed-ridden patients).
- Some falls and traumas.
- Signs of poor blood glucose sugar control.
- Urinary tract infections caused by catheters.
This new rule follows a trend that many private insurers are also putting into place. In 2007, for example, hospitals and insurers in Minnesota agreed that patients and health plans should not pay for any care described as a "never event" by a major health group. Two examples of these events are surgery performed on the wrong patient or on the wrong body part. Soon after, the national Blue Cross and Blue Shield group said that its 39 health plans will work to end payments for these serious patient events.
Because medical errors still occur, you may wonder if we know enough about how to prevent them from happening. I believe we do.
Let me give an example. About 1 million cases of urinary tract infections that are due to catheters (often used during and after surgery) occur each year in U.S. hospitals. These infections can cause longer hospital stays, more serious infections, and even death. Research my Agency supported has shown that limiting the use of catheters to 3 days can sharply reduce the risk of these infections. Computer-based reminders about the 3-day timeframe are an effective way to help doctors and nurses follow this practice.
Another example is preventing a type of blood clot that forms in deep veins in the body, called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A DVT can be deadly if it breaks off and blocks blood flow. Hospitals and clinicians can prevent many DVTs by taking specific steps.
A new guide from AHRQ helps hospitals and clinicians put procedures in place that can prevent dangerous blood clots. It explains how to start, evaluate, and maintain a prevention program and offers examples of successful ones that are already in place.
A new booklet for patients on how to prevent and treat blood clots is also available. In clear, easy-to-read language, the guide explains the symptoms of blood clots, offers tips on how to prevent them, and describes what to expect during treatment.
For many years, I have argued that following scientifically tested procedures can reduce or even eliminate many medical errors or lapses in care. It's time that we put our knowledge into our day-to-day care for patients.
I'm Dr. Carolyn Clancy, and that's my advice on how to navigate the health care system.
Director Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) U. S. Department of Health and Human Services |