AUGUST 2008 - IMPROVE COMPLIANCE WITH HUMAN RIGHTS AND RESIDENT- AND STAFF- SELF ESTEEM
Continence is increasingly an issue for care homes: in the UK up to 60% of residents in institutional care are affected by urinary incontinence, and 25% by bowel incontinence+. It affects not just residents’ self-esteem, but staff working conditions, hygiene control and overheads.
The British Geriatric Society alleges all people should be able to choose and use the toilet in private, as a core human right, and that health care professionals have a legal duty to protect patients’ human rights*. The Behind Closed Doors campaign aims to introduce core standards and ‘best practice’ in institutional toileting.
New developments by Total Hygiene, the UK’s leading supplier of automatic bidet toilets, aim to help care homes take steps to comply with both the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Behind Closed Doors campaign.
The Clos-O-Mat Lima Lift combines conventional WC with an integral douche and drier to effectively cleanse the user after toileting, with the addition of fully automatic height adjustability. This enables the wall-hung unit to be raised or lowered to each user’s personal requirements, up to a maximum height adjustment of 730mm, to make getting on, off and using the toilet as comfortable as possible.
The toilet functions as a standard toilet. Hand or body pressure on the lever triggers the flush, as usual, but also operates the warm water douching facility. Releasing of the lever starts the warm air drying process. The system means there is no need to use toilet paper to cleanse, and therefore hand/body contact is eliminated, improving hygiene and reducing risk of spread of germs.
The Clos-O-Mat Lima Lift incorporates drop-down arm supports, which can be raised prior to the Lift being actuated, or lowered with the Lift. To further assist users, the Lima Lift gives finger-tip control, being actuated by wireless remote control, enabling its use by both able-bodied and less able. A separate, discreetly located over-ride switch enables the Lift to be turned off if required, preventing unnecessary operation.
Further, as it is wall-hung, cleaning is simplified and improved, as the mop
can wipe straight underneath and around, without any nooks and crannies where
germs may collect.
Elaborates Robin Tuffley, Total Hygiene marketing manager, “Continence is
a major reason why many people move into care homes. Well thought-through toileting
aids make a huge difference to everyone’s quality of life: residents regain
self-esteem, staff working conditions are improved, and overheads such as laundry
bills and toilet accessories can be reduced.”
Total Hygiene has over 30 years’ experience in toileting needs for the less
able, and has the knowledge gained from 30,000+ installations throughout the
country, to develop the most apt solution. Equipment options include automatic
bidet toilets, through supports and lifters to height-adjustable basins and
changing tables. To make the decision-making process as efficient and effective
as possible, the company has engineered a bespoke mobile demonstration unit,
which brings fully-operational versions of the Clos-o-Mat Palma, Lima Lift
and Aerolet to site, so clients can see how the units work and determine the
most appropriate for their needs.
Total Hygiene also offers a free survey facility, to assess the location, discuss
end-user needs and advise on the most suitable solution.
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