M.R.S.A. – Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus is still a concern and another reason to use GentleCare Non Alcohol Hand Sanitizer.

What is M.R.S.A.?
M.R.S.A. is a type of infection caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. These bacteria are commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. Some strains of staph are resistant to a class of antibiotics such as methicillin (a synthetic form of penicillin) and thus called Methicillin-Resistant Staph aureus (or M.R.S.A.).

Who gets M.R.S.A.?
S. aureus (or Staph) including M.R.S.A. can be spread among people having close contact with an infected person. M.R.S.A. is almost always spread by direct physical contact and not through the air. Transmission may also occur through indirect contact by touching objects such as towels, clothes, door knobs, workout areas, or sports equipment contaminated with the staph.

Where will I find M.R.S.A.?
Staph bacteria can live on the skin or in the nose of healthy individuals without causing any symptoms of disease. This is known as colonization. However, injury to the skin such as a scrape or cut can allow the bacteria to enter the skin and cause an infection.

M.R.S.A. is not confined to just healthcare facilities. Cases of M.R.S.A. infection in the community setting (e.g. Day care centers, schools, prisons) are called Community-Associated M.R.S.A. and have been on the rise and show no sign of slowing. Our children are at risk and it is up to us to protect them.

Use GentleCare Non-Alcohol Foaming Instant Skin Sanitizer today!
Incorporating GentleCare into your facility will not only protect our children from M.R.S.A., it will also reduce absenteeism due to colds, flu and other illnesses.

Rinse-free bath in a bag products are ideal for a quick and easy way to clean, freshen and maintain healthy skin for bed bound or disabled patients.

Warm according to directions on the package.

1. Consult package for complete indications, ingredients and warnings.
   1. 2. Bathing a Patient with Comfort Bath Product
   2. Wash hands prior to the procedure and don a pair of gloves.
   3. Explain the procedure to the patient.
   4. Ensure the patient has privacy. Have patient remove gown or assist in the removal as needed. Use a towel or sheet to cover the patient appropriately.
   5. Peel back the label on the package and test the temperature by touching the top washcloth. Remember, gloves diminish your sensitivity to heat. If temperature is acceptable, proceed to the next step.
   6. Remove #1 washcloth.  Apply washcloth to back of patient’s hand or inside wrist/forearm area. Ask patient if the temperature is acceptable. If acceptable, proceed with next step. If NOT acceptable, STOP procedure. Repeat every 10 minutes until temperature is acceptable to the patient.

KEY POINT: Continue to monitor patient’s comfort level with the temperature as the bath progresses.

1. Using the #1 washcloth, clean the face, neck and chest. Discard when finished. No rinsing or drying is required.

KEY POINT: Follow the bathing procedure in sequential order. This reduces the chance of cross-contamination by providing a clean cloth for separate areas of the body, while maximizing appropriate use of the product to prevent waste.

1. Remove the #2 washcloth. Clean the right arm and armpit and discard.

KEY POINT: For patients with potential for moisture entrapment in skin folds, pat dry with clean soft towel if necessary. Use caution around dressings, intravascular lines, etc.

1. Remove the #3 washcloth. Clean the left arm and armpit and discard.
2. Remove the #4 washcloth. Clean the perineal area and discard. If patient is incontinent, follow the incontinence care protocol.
3. Remove the #5 washcloth. Clean the right leg and discard.
4. Remove the #6 washcloth. Clean the left leg and discard.
5. Ask the patient to turn on his/her side, if able, or obtain assistance to turn, as necessary. Remove the #7 washcloth. Clean the back and discard.
6. Remove the #8 washcloth. Clean the buttocks and discard. If additional cleaning in the buttocks region is necessary, use the appropriate incontinence care products.
7. Apply clean gown, reposition and cover the patient as necessary.
8. Discard all disposables as general waste. Do not flush Comfort Bath washcloths in the toilet.
9. Document procedure in progress notes.

APPLICABILITY: The Comfort Bath policy is applicable to all healthcare workers assigned to provide bedside bathing to patients.

DO NOT FLUSH COMFORT BATH WASHCLOTHS

Disadvantages of Alcohol Based Hand Sanitizer Products

There are two kinds of alcohols used in skin-care applications:

Ethyl alcohol (Grain Alcohol): – A low-molecular weight alcohol containing two carbon atoms.  This is the same alcohol as consumed in alcoholic beverages.

Isopropyl Alcohol (Rubbing Alcohol): – A low-molecular weight alcohol containing three carbon atoms.  These alcohols are toxic to microorganisms by precipitating proteins in the outer surface of these organisms, killing them on contact.

The effective concentration range of these alcohols for killing microorganisms is generally 60-100%.  They must be at least 60% and should be at least 70% for adequate kill however, the higher the concentration, the more likely there will be skin degradation.

Negative Aspects of Alcohols When Used in Skin-Care Products:

• Alcohols are excellent solvents: – Alcohols are often used as industrial cleaning solvents, because of their ability to dissolve oils and remove them from surfaces.  The residual alcohol also evaporates quickly from the cleaned surface.  While this is good for circuit boards and metal surfaces, the same properties are irritating to skin.

The natural oils are removed from the skin, often called “defatting” of the epidermal layer.  Extended use will keep the natural oils from protecting and softening the skin, often resulting in dried or cracked skin.  To avoid this irritation, some skin-care products include “emollients,” to help replace natural skin oils. These emollients are often very different from the natural oils on the skin.

• Alcohols evaporate rapidly: – When the concentration of alcohol drops below 60% in the applied solution, its antibacterial action is impaired.  The FDA states that when the alcohol concentration drops below 60%, it is no longer effective as an antibacterial agent.  Within seconds after applying to the skin, the alcohol evaporates, decreasing its concentration rapidly.  Within a few seconds, the applied product is no longer effective and there is no continued antibacterial action or residual protection.   As such, alcohol solutions offer no persistence.

• Alcohols are flammable: – Alcohols burn rapidly.   High-performance race car engines burn low-molecular-weight alcohols, because of their excellent flammability.  When alcohols vapors are mixed with oxygen gas, the mixture is explosive.  Imagine having alcohol spread across the skin, with evaporating alcohol vapors mixing with the air above the surface of the skin, and having a spark ignite the alcohol.  There are many horror stories of this happening, especially in oxygen-rich environments.

• Alcohols have a peculiar odor: – Due to their high volatility, rapid evaporation fills the air with alcohol molecules that have a distinctive and peculiar odor.  This characteristic of alcohols may be positive or negative to the consumer, however, more often than not, the user finds this offensive.

There is however, a perfect solution to the above concerns:  That solution is GentleCare Alcohol Free Hand Sanitizer Foam  -  Fragrance free, dye free formulation contains MicroDerm which offers 99.99% or 4 log reduction, residual protection because the .24% Benzalkonium Formula does not evaporate off the skin like alcohol does.

In addition, there is no de-fatting or stripping of the skin after using.  GentleCare helps to maintain intact skin which is the first line of defense against cross contamination or nosocomial infections.

For more information “Click Here” or email or call us with any questions.

There are basically 2 types of adult diaper products for use with incontinence not including incontinent liners with mesh pants.  There are adult diapers with re-fastening tape tabs usually 2 per side and the pull up style disposable diaper undergarments.

There is no doubt that the tape tab diapers are more absorptive and are the product of choice when dealing with any type of bowel or fecal incontinence.  Pull On Adult Diaper types are usually used with more active adults with good mobility and ability to change the product themselves.

The disadvantage of Pull On Adult Diapers in this situation is that even though they have tear away sides for easy removal, you still have to remove your pants in order to put another pull up diaper on.

Tape tab diapers are difficult to put on correctly yourself or on another person for that matter.  The easiest way for you to guide the adult diaper product to ensure a good fit is to use the wetness indicator strip as a guideline.  Place the wetness indicator strip that runs the legnth of the diaper along the gluteal fold or (Butt Crack) and use this as the guide for keeping the diaper centered.  Then you can fasten the tape tabs and be confident that you will end up with the same amount of material on both sides.

My recommendation is to use a combination of products for different times of the day and changing daily activities.   The pull on diapers can be used during the day and the tape tab diapers can be used at night.  You should also try liner inserts without plastic backing as these can be used as booster pads for heavy wetters.

HomeHealthDelivery.com can provide you with a wide range of incontinence products to meet your needs.  If there is any product that we do not have please let us know and we will get it for you.

Transmission of an infectious superbug from dogs and cats to humans, and back again, is an increasing problem, a new study finds.

The superbug, a strain of bacteria known as MRSA, has evolved a resistance to antibiotics. It has long plagued hospitals but in recent years has become more common in homes. MRSA has even invaded beaches.

Only about two years ago, scientists began to seriously suspect pets were transmitting the bacteria.

In the July edition of The Lancet Infectious Diseases, Richard Oehler of the University of South Florida College of Medicine and colleagues lay out the latest thinking on MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and pets.

The infections can be transmitted by animal bites and most threaten young children, the researchers note.

Read more…Click Here.

What can you do to protect yourself?

Use GentleCare Non-Alcohol Foaming Instant Skin Sanitizer
Incorporating GentleCare into your daily life will provide a safe and effective means to preventing the spread of cross contamination between pet’s and human’s.

What is M.R.S.A.?
M.R.S.A. is a type of infection caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. These bacteria are commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. Some strains of staph are resistant to a class of antibiotics such as methicillin (a synthetic form of penicillin) and thus called Methicillin-Resistant Staph aureus (or M.R.S.A.).

Who gets M.R.S.A.?
S. aureus (or Staph) including M.R.S.A. can be spread among people having close contact with an infected person. M.R.S.A. is almost always spread by direct physical contact and not through the air. Transmission may also occur through indirect contact by touching objects such as towels, clothes, door knobs, workout areas, or sports equipment
contaminated with the staph.

Where will I find M.R.S.A.?
Staph bacteria can live on the skin or in the nose of healthy individuals without causing any symptoms of disease. This is known as colonization. However, injury to the skin such as a scrape or cut can allow the bacteria to enter the skin and cause an infection.

M.R.S.A. is not confined to just healthcare facilities. Cases of M.R.S.A. infection in the community setting (e.g. Day care centers, schools, prisons) are called Community-Associated M.R.S.A. and have been on the rise and show no sign of slowing. Our children are at risk and it is up to us to protect them.

Now that you know the facts, what can you do to minimize the risks?

Use GentleCare Non-Alcohol Foaming Instant Skin Sanitizer
Incorporating GentleCare into your facility will not only protect our children from M.R.S.A., it will also reduce absenteeism due to colds, flu and other illnesses.

There are numerous treatments for the management of urinary incontinence.  The first and most important step in treating incontinence is to see a doctor for a complete medical exam.  The doctor will ask for a detailed history of your health and give you a physical examination.  The doctor may want to check urine samples and you may be referred to a urologist, a doctor who specializes in diseases of the urinary tract, or to a gynecologist, a specialist in the female reproductive system.  Proper assessment and diagnosis is crucial to the selection of an appropriate treatment plan and, subsequently, a favorable outcome.

The following is a summary of some of the more common methods to manage urinary incontinence: Treatment of urinary incontinence should be designed to meet your needs.  As a general rule, the least dangerous procedures should be tried first.  The many options include:

Kegal’s Exercises (Pelvic Muscle Exercises):
Stress incontinence responds very well to exercises which strengthen the pelvic muscles (Kegal’s Exercises).  These exercises can be done alone or in conjunction with biofeedback therapy.  These techniques can help you sense your bladder filling and help delay voiding until you can reach a toilet.

Bladder Irritants/Infection:
Elimination of bladder irritants and treatment of bladder infections can eliminate the bladder contraction associated with urge Incontinence.

Prompted Voiding/Bladder Drill:
Prompted voiding and bladder drill programs teach individuals to urinate “By the clock”.  Frequent, scheduled voiding helps to prevent or significantly reduces leakage for individuals with urge incontinence.

Medications:
Pharmacological manipulation or in conjunction with other methods of management can relieve symptoms.  There are drugs given to relax the bladder, contract the bladder, relax the bladder neck, and contract the bladder neck.  These drugs are prescribed according to symptoms and urinary tract pathology and medications are useful adjuncts in several types of incontinence.  A doctor can prescribe medicines to treat incontinence.  However, these drugs may cause side effects such as dry mouth, eye problems, or urine buildup.

Clean Intermittent Catheterization:
Clean intermittent catheterization can be performed by the individual to prevent urinary retention and/or to empty the bladder at scheduled time before leakage occurs.  This is particularly helpful for the individual with reflex incontinence.

Environmental Modification:
Easy access to toileting facilities through proximity, clothing alteration, and large, visible signs are helpful for the individual with functional incontinence.  Timed or scheduled voiding may also be used in conjunction with easing toilet access.  Caregivers actually escort the individual to the bathroom at designated intervals, usually chosen by assessing the person’s usual voiding routine.

Surgery:
This should be a last resort approach.  Sometimes surgery can improve or cure incontinence if it is caused by a structural problem such as an abnormally positioned bladder or blockage due to an enlarged prostate.  Implanting devices that replace or aid the muscles controlling urine flow has been tried in people with incontinence.

Swine flu pandemic has begun, 1st in 41 years:

Protect yourself…Protect your family!
Use GentleCare Non-Alcohol, Fragrance Free Hand and Skin Sanitizer in the battle against cold and flu this season!

The World Health Organization declared a swine flu pandemic Thursday – The first global flu epidemic in 41 years – as infections in the United States, Europe, Australia, South America and elsewhere climbed to nearly 30,000 cases.

The long-awaited pandemic announcement is scientific confirmation that a new flu virus has emerged and is quickly circling the globe. WHO will now ask drugmakers to speed up production of a swine flu vaccine. The declaration will also prompt governments to devote more money toward efforts to contain the virus.

Read more…

As the Owner and President of Paragon Marketing Group, you can feel confident in knowing that since GentleCare was created, my wife and I have used all of our products ourselves and with our 6 and 5 year old son’s. We have shared them with our family and friends and have been promoting healthy skin integrity and infection control hygiene for many years.

I have been involved in this technology for the past 10 years and have seen the tremendous benefits of our GentleCare Alcohol Free Hand Sanitizer over all alcohol based hand sanitizers.  Do not be fooled by the alcohol lobby efforts in Washington.  Alcohol Free is here to stay and provides residual protection after each application where alcohol fails.

It is your choice, make it the right one!

Call me direct with any questions: (508)845-9915

Sincerely,
Kevin DuBois

Roughly 41% of adults at home and in long-term care facilities experience some type of skin damage associated with urinary and/or fecal incontinence.  Exposure to urine and/or feces can lead to perineal skin damage.  Perineal skin damage secondary to incontinence ranges in severity and may include erythema (redness); swelling; oozing; vesiculation (blistering); and crusting and scaling in the groin, perineum, and buttocks region.

Multiple variables work together and can lead to perineal skin injury.  Moisture from incontinence can alters the skin’s protective pH and increases the permeability of the skin.  Urine and feces contain bacteria that can permeate and irritate the skin, allowing for secondary infections.  Damaged skin can lead to reduced blood flow or the loss of collagen or elastic fibrous connective tissues which affect skin nutrition, elasticity, and strength.  Perineal skin injury can lead to ulceration and bacterial (Staphylococcus) and yeast (Candida albicans) infections that lead to discomfort and increased treatment costs.  Additional problems associated with perineal skin damage include diminished quality of life, increased pain and costs, and possible pressure ulcer development.

The bad news is that perineal skin damage secondary to incontinence is painful, expensive, affects quality of life and can lead to depression and other emotional issues.  The good news is that with the right products and care it is preventable.  Here are some suggestions for managing incontinence and preventing skin breakdown or damage associated with urinary and/or fecal incontinence.

1. Establish a bowel and bladder toileting schedule for patients with incontinence.
2. Avoid excess friction on the skin by using high quality perineal products with soft wipes.
3. Cleanse skin gently at each time of soiling with pH-balanced cleanser.
4. Use incontinent skin barriers as needed to protect and maintain intact skin.
5. Select underpads, diapers or briefs that are absorbent to wick incontinence moisture away from the skin.
6. if needed, consider utilizing a pouching system or collection device.

Compliance with product usage is more likely to occur if the user of the product accepts or likes the product and that the products are easy to use.  There are many products available for use when dealing with urinary and/or fecal incontinence.  Types of products include: Pre-moistened washcloths or wet wipes, no-rinse perineal spray or foam cleansers, dry wipes or dry washcloths and numerous types of skin protectants, diaper rash ointments and protective barrier creams.

The single most important product that can be used in preventing skin damage associated with urinary or fecal incontinence is an effective skin protectant and barrier cream.  GentleCare Skin Care Products features a broad selection of skin care items specifically designed for patient skin care and caregiver skin care.  Two such products that stand out when it comes to incontinence management are the GentleCare No-Rinse Perineal Foam Skin Cleanser and the GentleCare Protective Ointment.

If you would like more information regarding perineal care management and product options available to you, please contact us and one of our knowledgeable staff will be more than happy to assist you in establishing a protocol for success.