Wound Care Versus Incontinence – The True Savings Lies In Better Products

Incontinence is something that becomes quite common among seniors as well as the high risk of wounds associated with inadequate incontinence care measures. It is important to identify what the main causes are of most wounds associated with the different types of incontinence products, and what the long-term costs are, in both treating, and preventing these wounds.

What Causes Wounds in an Incontinence Patient?

When a patient’s skin is in constant contact with urine and bowel, the skin becomes exposed to moisture and chemicals found in the urine and feces. This consistent occurrence inflates the risk of bacterial growth and infections. The more the skin is in contact with the acid found in the voids, the more “at risk” your patient will be.

• Wound Care Products
  Wounds have a tendency to become larger and deeper within hours, causing serious discomfort for the incontinence patient. Once a wound has formed, there are a few factors to consider before choosing a treatment for the wound.
  • Stalling Factor: Incontinence wounds have a habit of starting to heal, and then stall. It is important to be able to recognize when this is happening and change to a special dressing treatment.
  • Decubitus Wounds: These wounds occur on the derriere or trunk of the body and must heal from the inside to the outside. The products used to treat this type of wound are far more expensive than buying a better grade of diaper or pull up.
  • Buttocks Wound: This type of wound must be completely covered in a wound care product that is completely sealed so that no urine or bowel can enter the infected area. The dressing needed to cover this wound will need to be changed frequently in order to prevent further infection.

Choosing the Right Incontinence Care Products

Wound care products can therefore end up costing you a lot more money and time in addition to the costs incurred for the everyday incontinence care products. It is therefore more advisable that when an aging senior is incontinent, it is best to first do your homework on the products and skin protections available to prevent these wounds from happening in the first place.

• Skin Protection Products
  The skin’s integrity is one of the most important factors to consider when trying to understand how to best prevent wounds from occurring in an incontinence patient. An aging senior’s thinner skin in combination with the acid from the urine and feces seeping into the pores of the skin will hugely jeopardize the skin’s integrity. The best skin protection products should therefore have the ability to seep into the pores of the skin and protect it against urine and feces.
  • A & D Ointment: This product is not recommended as it is petroleum based and will rub off onto the diaper or pull up, stopping absorption of the product into the skin.
  • Calmoseptine or Lantiseptic: Either of these products are recommended to be absorbed into the pores of the skin and have features that will help heal and protect the skin.

• Incontinence Care Products
  Incontinence care products differ greatly for a number of reasons. Different brands are often manufactured differently, as well as the sizes and styles offered.
  • Diapers vs. Pull Ups: Diapers will absorb more than pull ups and are manufactured differently in the leg styles and elasticity.
    
  • Higher Absorbency Products: These products will normally have more polymer on the inside of the sheets.
  • Polymer Gel Products: Products that contain a polymer gel will turn the urine into gel, both protecting the skin and preventing a UTI.

Other Factors to Consider

There are various factors to consider when deciding what the best incontinence care solution is for the patient such as: the weight of a patient, how frequently they change positions, or if they have a chronic disease that may compromise and increase the danger of the skin breakdown in other areas.

Wound care can impose a substantial economic burden on any family, as well as result in long term discomfort for the patient. Since there are various factors you will need to take into consideration when deciding on the best incontinence care measures, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional to see which solution is best for your patient or family member. Products are changing frequently and better products are introduced all the time and so working with a company that is involved in these updates is paramount to the success of your incontinence care plan.

If your loved one is suffering from incontinence or wound care, call Affordable Medical Supply to set a convenient time to discuss your needs and how our incontinence, wound care and medical supplies can save you money by providing the right products at the right time, for day and night time use.