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Innovations
by Geriatric Times Staff
Geriatric Times January/February 2002 Vol. III Issue 1
All-in-One Product Reduces Infection Risk, Bathing Time
The prevalence of facility-associated infections among long-term care facility (LTCF) residents is approximately 15%, and each resident is likely to acquire an average of two infections per year according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The economic and health impact of LTCF-associated infections is likely to increase as the number of people residing in LTCFs rises.
Effective infection-control practices and products are important in preventing infection in LTCF residents and reducing infection-associated morbidity and mortality. The Redi+Wash total-body cleansing system is one such product recently introduced by Precision Dynamics Corporation. The Redi+Wash efficiently cleans each part of the body with a safe ph-balanced cleansing solution, no-rinse cleanser and a specially formulated moisturizing lotion. The anti-microbial preservative cloths reduce the exposure to infection by eliminating the re-use of dirty water and wash basins that can become harbors for bacteria.
The all-in-one package eliminates the need to rinse, towel dry and apply lotion, thereby reducing bathing time by 50% to 75% -- AV
Redi+Wash product
Treatment Repairs DNA, Increases White Blood CellsClinically shown to slow the aging process and enhance the immune system, C-MED-100, a water-soluble extract of Uncaria tomentosa (more commonly known as Cat's Claw), recently became available. C-MED-100 has been proven effective in repairing damaged single- and double-stranded DNA strands and in increasing white blood cell count.
A study published in the February 2000 issue of the Journal of Ethnopharmacology reported that rats supplemented with 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg of C-MED-100 after exposure to 12 Gy of whole- body radiation were able to repair the resultant DNA damage significantly more so than controls. There was also a significant elevation of white blood cells in the supplemented rats. In a separate eight-week study published in the July 2001 issue of Phytomedicine, 12 healthy adults were given placebo or C-MED-100 at either 250 mg daily or 350 mg daily. After induced DNA damage, the supplemented group had a statistically significant decrease in DNA damage and increase in DNA repair. No adverse reactions or acute or chronic toxicity signs were observed in either study.
The results of another rat study were published in the April 2000 issue of Phytomedicine. They showed that, after a 24-hour incubation period following injection with doxorubicin (Adriamycin, Rubex) to induce leukopenia, rats that were treated with 10 mg/kg or 80 mg/kg of C-MED-100 for 16 days recovered significantly sooner than rats treated with filgrastim (Neupogen).
Cat's Claw originates from the Amazon basin and has been used historically by indigenous tribes for medicinal purposes. According to Ronald Pero, M.D., professor of cell and molecular ecogenetics at the University of Lund in Sweden and associate professor of experimental therapeutics at Boston University Medical Center, the carboxyl alkyl esters in the Cat's Claw extract found in C-MED-100 are the main components responsible for influencing membrane integrity of cells, supporting immune system enhancement and repairing DNA. C-MED-100 is 100% bioavailable for absorption in the body. The recommended dose is 175 mg twice daily for one month and at least 250 mg daily for maintenance therapy thereafter -- RR
C-MED-100 picture
Pill Bottle Devices Provide Assistance, RemindersAs all health care professionals know, prescription medications only work if patients take them correctly. Two new devices can help older patients who may forget to take their medication or have trouble reading labels.
Designed for people with visual impairments, ScripTalk from En-Vision uses a microchip embedded into special prescription labels printed at pharmacies to "speak" the label information out loud. The microchips use radio frequency identification technology to transmit the information.
At home, patients hold the specially labelled prescription bottles about one inch from a small pocket-sized device. ScripTalk then converts pertinent data (e.g., patient name, drug name and strength, directions for use, the doctor's name and telephone number, and any special warnings) into speech.
To make it as convenient and easy to use as possible, ScripTalk features tactile push buttons that respond with tones and verbal responses when pressed. The batteries (two rechargeable AA alkaline) provide up to 2,000 reads per charge. Alternatively, a wall transformer is available for AC operation. Available in English or Spanish, the device also features volume controls to adjust for hearing impairments as well as privacy.
The ScripTalk device is prescribed by doctors and available for purchase at pharmacies. Currently, En-Vision is in the process of applying for a Durable Medical Equipment code so it can be billed under Medicare and Medicaid. The company expects coverage to begin within the next year or so, with the product available nationwide in 2002.
For patients who have difficulty remembering when to take their medication, Owens-Brockway is now distributing Remind Cap. This bottle-top device is programmed by pharmacists and provides a visual and audible alert up to four times a day, depending on how the doctor prescribes the medication. The patient activates the timer by pressing a tab on the top of the device. When it is time to take the medication, the cap flashes repeatedly every two seconds and beeps four times every five minutes until the cap is opened. When the patient firmly replaces the cap, it beeps and flashes once, signalling that it is ready for the next dose schedule.
If the bottle is not opened, the Remind Cap will continue the alerts for the first half of the next dosing interval, then it stops to allow patients to get back on schedule. If it is not replaced on the bottle, it will continue to flash (but not beep) for up to two days. Other features allow patients to reset the timer if traveling to other time zones or alter the schedule for sleep adjustments -- HAD
ScripTalk picutre
