Читать книгу Pathy's Principles and Practice of Geriatric Medicine - Группа авторов - Страница 503

Incontinence pads are designed to hold urine and are often ineffective for faeces. In those with cognitive impairment who cannot alert caregivers to an episode of incontinence, regular checking is essential to prevent skin damage. Products and devices that redirect or store faeces are available and most commonly used in bedridden or immobile patients with diarrhoea.⁶⁹ Anal plugs consist of a cup‐shaped piece of foam held into a tight shape by soluble film. When inserted into the rectum, the film dissolves, allowing the plug to expand and prevent the leakage of stool. Such plugs are often uncomfortable, but in those patients able to tolerate them, they provide excellent, though temporary, control.^70,71 They are not suitable for those with active proctocolitis or spinal cord injury. The selection of containment is a very individual decision and involves both patient factors and consideration of availability and cost of devices. The website www.continenceproductadvisor.org lists many options and is searchable by geographic region.