New Products and Industry News

Fecal management systems saves money

  ConvaTec (Skillman, NJ) announced new study results that demonstrate hospitals could realize substantial savings by substituting Flexi-Seal^® FMS for traditional fecal management methods. The product is indicated for patients with little or no bowel control and liquid or semi-liquid stool and can be used for up to 29 consecutive days. Key features of the product include a soft, low-pressure balloon designed to aid easy insertion and removal and to minimize the chance of tissue necrosis; a closed-end collection bag which may help reduce the spread of infection; and an entirely latex-free design.

  According to a study presented in April at the 23rd Annual Symposium on Advanced Wound Care and Wound Healing Society (SAWC/WHS) in Orlando, FL, the cost savings are mainly due to a reduction in time required for nursing staff to manage fecal incontinence. A budget impact model was developed to calculate the annual financial implications of using the product versus traditional fecal management methods in a hospital ICU. Results found the average total fecal management costs per patient, per 5-day course of diarrhea, including consumables and nursing time, were $423 for the product and $763 for traditional fecal management. The annualized burden of ICU fecal incontinence in this hospital (223 patients) was $169,896 using traditional fecal management methods and $94,224 using the product, an annual savings of $75,763.

  For more information, visit www.convatec.com.

Foam wound dressing absorbs more

  Derma Sciences, Inc (Princeton, NJ) recently launched Xtrasorb^™Foam dressing, an advancement to standard polyurethane foam dressings. The difference is on the outer facing portion of the dressing. Bonded to this side is a patented super-absorbent polymer (SAP) sheet. The SAP sheet not only allows the foam to absorb significantly more fluid than market-leading foam dressings, but the technology also allows the fluid to be locked into the dressing. This reduces the chances of wound deterioration due to constant exposure to large amounts of wound fluid and also minimizes the exposure to harmful components such as bacteria within wound fluid. These benefits are aimed to enhance the clinical and cost-effectiveness of the foam versus current market leading offerings.

  The dressings can be used on an assortment of moderately to heavily exuding chronic and acute wounds, including pressure ulcers, venous leg ulcers, arterial ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, postoperative wounds, traumatic wounds, and donor sites.

  For more information, visit www.dermasciences.com.

Larger total contact cast system available

  MedEfficiency (Wheat Ridge, CO) announced the availability of a new Large Boot designedfor use with the TCC-EZ^™Total Contact Cast System (TCC). The boot features a wider and longer sole than the Regular TCC-EZ Boot to accommodate bigger and taller patients. The large boot also is designed to support patients that weigh up to 400 lb depending on their activity level; whereas, the standard boot can support up to 275 lb for an active patient. Additional features of the boot include specially designed Velcro^® straps for ease of adjustment and pronged side strut paddles that lock the cast and boot together for optimal offloading when the larger, heavier patient ambulates. The TCC used in conjunction with comprehensive wound care protocols provides a dynamic approach to complete immobilization, which allows tissue to heal without being disturbed or traumatized by repetitive injury or shear forces. The TCC is changed on a periodic basis to address the dynamic nature of the patient’s lower extremity and for wound inspection/debridement.

  For more information, visit www.MedEfficiency.com.

Medical design award given for continence control device

  ConvaTec (Skillman, NJ) received a 2010 Medical Design Excellence Award for its Vitala^™ Continence Control Device (CCD). The nonintrusive device provides temporary continence to individuals with an end colostomy, allowing individuals to manage their colostomy without a pouch, belt, or irrigation. Indicated for use up to 8 hours, the device is a single-use, disposable disc that is worn together with the ConvaTec Natura^® skin barrier (13/4" or 21/4"). It functions by sealing against the stoma to prevent the release of stool while permitting gasses to vent through an integrated, deodorizing filter. When in use, stool is stored inside the body, negating the need to wear an ostomy pouch. The design not only eliminates the need for a pouch for an extended period of time each day, but it also minimizes the noise and odors that sometimes accompany pouch use. The device’s discreet low profile also helps make the presence of an ostomy less noticeable. It recently received 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration and was previewed to US and global healthcare professionals at the WOCN/WCET Joint Meeting in Phoenix, AZ this month.

  For more information, please contact the ConvaTec customer information center at (800) 422-8811.