Fecal collector
The fecal collector is an aid for collecting stool from faecal incontinence and can be used by both adults and children. The fecal collector is available in different sizes, which can be adapted to the respective situation. It is attached directly to the anus, which ensures that the stool can be collected in a hygienic and odorless manner for bedridden and immobile patients.
construction
The fecal collector is a system that is glued directly to the anus . It consists of a kind of plastic bag in which the stool is collected. The film has multiple layers, which reliably prevents odors from escaping. There is a hose connection at the lower end to drain off liquid stool. The fecal collector itself is offered in various sizes with a volume from 500 ml to 1000 ml. Since this drainage system is located directly on the anus, unpleasant odors in the area are almost completely excluded. At the upper end of the fecal collector there is a small opening through which any overpressure can escape through a carbon filter so that the bag does not expand. A thermometer can also be inserted into the anus through this opening to measure body temperature without having to remove the fecal collector.
application
Before use, the skin condition of the person in need of care is checked by the caregiver and the appropriate materials are provided. An informative talk about the meaning and purpose of this measure should take away the patient's fear. This measure should also be explained to children, provided they can understand it according to their level of development. The patient's privacy must be preserved, so the faecal collector should not be installed in the sick or resident's room if other patients, residents or bystanders could be watching.
Before using the fecal collector, the genital area is cleaned and dried well. No fatty skin cleansing agents should be used, as this can impair the adhesion of the fecal collector. The hair in the perianal area should be removed as close as possible to the surface of the skin, as this reduces the adhesive strength of the skin adhesive.
The patient now lies on their side with the upper knee pulled towards the chest. The fecal collector is then taken out of the packaging and the protective paper removed. If necessary, the opening of the protective skin surface can be enlarged with bandage scissors. The plate of the skin protection surface should be folded in half and placed between the buttocks that are pressed apart. The narrowest part of the round opening is glued between anus and vagina (perineum) or between anus and scrotum (perineum); the upper part of the protective skin surface lies on the coccyx and is glued there. The other half of the skin protection surface is pressed against the upper half of the buttocks, while the caregiver ensures that the skin protection surface adheres firmly to the skin. The installation of the faecal collector is now complete.
To empty the fecal collector, the person being cared for is placed on their side, a bedpan is placed under the drain and the bag is emptied by opening the cap. If the contents of the bag are solid (stool), the lower end of the bag is cut off and the bag is pulled out. Then the collector is closed either with the cap or a clamp. For permanent drainage, the fecal collector can also be connected to a collection device on the bed via a hose.
disadvantage
The decisive disadvantage of the faecal collector, however, is that it can only be used with people in need of care who are lying or immobile, so the main areas of application are old people's and nursing homes. For mobile fecal incontinents, other aids such as incontinence briefs , anal tampons or irrigation can only be used. The reason for this lies in the construction of the fecal collector. Since it is glued directly to the anus , it is first of all uncomfortable to wear with mobile patients and secondly, the constant body movement puts extreme stress on the adhesive surface, so that there is no reliable adhesive connection and leaks can occur.
In terms of costs, the fecal collector offers no advantage over other aids such as the anal tampon, diaper supply or irrigation. As with anal tampons or irrigation, the only advantage is that there is less skin irritation, as the skin does not come into constant contact with the stool, as is the case with diaper care.
literature
- Ina Pfitzer, Maren Asmussen-Clausen : Care techniques today: Understanding care activities step by step . Elsevier, Urban & FischerVerlag, 2006, ISBN 3-437-27090-7 , pp. 249 .
- Mechthild Seel: Caring for people . Schlütersche, 2003, ISBN 3-87706-996-7 , p. 249 .
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Mechthild Seel: The care of people . Schlütersche, 2003, ISBN 3-87706-996-7 , p. 249 .
