ConvaTec (Princeton, NJ) announced its Flexi-Seal® Fecal Management System, a temporary containment device for immobilized and incontinent patients with liquid or semi-liquid stool, has been redesigned for easier use and storage.
The system’s upgrades include a recyclable and re-closeable molded plastic packaging that is 25% smaller than the original package size, allowing for storage of collection bags and syringes; a new blue irrigation port that allows for immediate identification; a re-labeled syringe precisely marked to 45 mL that measures the exact amount of water or saline necessary; and a smaller pocket-size package insert. The upgraded product will be available to medical professionals at no increased cost.
The management of fecal incontinence, a significant risk factor in the development of pressure ulcers and the transmission of nosocomial infections, is a priority in both acute and critical care hospital settings. Results based on a model incorporating retrospective data indicated that the odds of having a pressure ulcer were 22 times greater for hospitalized adult patients with fecal incontinence compared to continent patients.
Pressure ulcers were reported in approximately 10% to 18% of acute-care settings in the US and can increase both patient mortality rates and the cost of patient care. In October 2008, the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will institute reimbursement reforms for hospital-acquired pressure ulcers, prompting many US hospitals to implement pressure ulcer prevention guidelines and utilize systems and devices that prevent pressure ulcer development.
For more information, visit www.convatec.com.