Safe and Cost-Effective solution for fecal containment

Conventional methods of fecal management impose a health-economic burden through hospital-acquired complications such as IAD, pressure injury development and spread of hospital-acquired infections.^1,2 Intrarectal balloon catheters (IBCs) were developed to overcome the limitations of conventional methods however clinical literature reports that IBCs are associated with several complications such as patient discomfort, mucosal abnormalities, and anal erosion.^3-5 They limit patient management as they utilize sphincter muscle contraction for device patency and can handle only liquid to semi-liquid stool (Bristol Stool Scale 6-7). Moreover, long term use of IBCs are known to result in sphincter dysfunction as they exert higher pressures at the anorectal junction.⁵

Qora^TM Stool Management Kit (SMK) is a comprehensive fecal containment solution addressing most of the drawbacks of a balloon-based technology and improving both clinical and economic outcomes associated with fecal management. It is the only fecal management technology that enables care providers to manage patients irrespective of their sphincter tone and handle semi-formed to liquid stool (Bristol Stool Chart 5-7) thereby providing 3X patient eligibility. We report the case of a 55-year-old male diagnosed with brain abscess exhibiting liquid stool incontinence. Qora^TM SMK was successfully deployed in the first attempt. The SMK diverted liquid to semi-formed stool without any episodes of major peripheral device leakage. The average time spent by a nurse per day in managing the patient using the SMK was 8.15 minutes which is 65% lower when compared to managing the patient using absorbent pads. Pre- and Post-device proctoscopy showed no evidence of injury. Patient successfully retained the device for a duration of 20 days. Moreover, the patient did not develop any HACs which could incur an additional cost of up to $21,410 and additional hospitalization for up to 20 days based on the severity of the complication.^1,2