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 Cells
Clinically 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, Reminders
As 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
Remind Cap picture