MUNDELEIN, IL--(Marketwire - July 01, 2011) - Aiming to address one of the most costly and labor intensive issues in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, Medline Industries, Inc. today introduced a new Continence Management program to help long-term care providers better manage their approach to continence care. The program is rooted in helping providers understand and comply with the CMS revised F315 Surveyor Guidance for Incontinence and Catheters. Additionally, the program is MDS 3.0 driven and is designed to promote staff competency for the license staff.
“The Continence Management program helps facilities address F315 compliance without having to create an entire program from scratch,” said Amin Setoodeh, BSN, RN, vice president of clinical services at Medline. “This is an evidence-based system that has a lot of useful tools for improving the awareness and knowledge required to deliver the best continence care possible.”
The program includes a strategic product bundle to assist in choosing the proper product for each resident and reducing incontinence-associated skin conditions. Products include CapriPlus™ Bladder Control Pads, Ultrasorbs® AP Dry Pads, Restore® Premium Briefs, and Protection Plus® Classic Protective Underwear. The program also packages together education and training tools so a healthcare team can implement an effective continence program. Included are workbooks for the CNA and RN /LPN, education on Medline University, plus useful DVD with clinical forms, tools and guidelines.
Managing incontinence may contribute up to 30 to 40 percent of a facilities’ overall medical supply cost, and may impact up to 15 percent of its overall operational cost by contributing to the risk of skin injury, falls or other liabilities. Another disheartening statistic is that 90 percent of residents become incontinent within three months of admission to a long-term care facility. A whole host of other concerns accompany incontinence as well, including increased risks of skin problems, a higher rate of falls, dignity and social interaction issues for residents, a greater burden on caregivers and increased costs, especially when incontinence is poorly managed.
“Incontinence is a distressing and isolating condition. Many people do not report it, even to their own physician. As a result, incontinence is often viewed as a normal part of aging, which is not the case,” said Setoodeh. “In order to truly promote quality care for each resident, you need to first identify the cause for incontinence, and then develop an individualized care plan.”
For more information on the Continence Management program, visit www.medline.com/programs.
About Medline Industries, Inc.
Medline, the nation’s largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of healthcare products, manufactures and distributes more than 125,000 products to hospitals, extended care facilities, surgery centers, home care dealers and agencies. Headquartered in Mundelein, IL, Medline has more than 1,100 dedicated sales representatives nationwide, including over 60 dedicated to the surgery center marketplace, to support its broad product line and cost management services.
As a leading distributor, Medline offers a comprehensive array of consulting and management services encompassing the supply chain and logistics, utilization and standardization, business tools and enhanced reporting capabilities and on-staff clinicians.
For more information on Medline, visit www.medline.com.
Media Contact:
Jerreau Beaudoin
(847) 643-3011
John Marks
(847) 643-3309
