ConvaTec’s Flexi-Seal® FMS Effectively Contains and Prevents C. difficile

Great news about the FMS system by ConvaTec.  Taken from a recent press release by ConvaTec this month.

According to a new report from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the rate of deaths from C. difficile infections in the U.S. increased by 400% from 2000 to 2007. This year C. difficile infection will cause more than 14,000 deaths in the U.S. alone.¹ This increase highlights the need for more effective measures in bacterial control. Infections from C. difficile, a bacteria that causes diarrhea and other health issues, is a patient safety concern in all types of medical facilities, not just hospitals as traditionally thought, according to a new Vital Signs report from the Centers for Disease control¹.  Most C. difficile infections spread in hospitals through fecal contamination. Infection control teams at many hospitals are now taking a careful look at strategies to reduce this risk. C. difficile spores are able to survive for up to five months in a hospital environment ², and so effective strategies must work to reduce or eliminate opportunities for contamination. Disposable, absorbent underpads commonly used for fecal management have been shown to carry C. difficile and increase the risk of infection for some patients. Researchers have found that the use of an advanced fecal management system called Flexi-Seal® FMS improved a hospital’s ability to contain and prevent leakage associated with the spread of C. difficile. Flexi-Seal® FMS is designed to safely and effectively contain and divert liquid or semi-liquid fecal matter. This helps to reduce the risk of skin breakdown and helps to keep fecal matter from sites where transmission of C. difficile can occur.
*In-vitro studies performed using ConvaTec’s Flexi-Seal® FMS (Fecal Management System) demonstrated the device and charcoal filtered collection bags effectively contained C. difficile when compared to a standard, flat absorbent pad. C. difficile was not recovered from any of the test swabs or air samples from or around the devices. This data is based on the assessment of four Flexi-Seal® SIGNAL™ FMS devices with charcoal filtration collection bags challenged with C. difficile-inoculated medium over 11 days.
Treatment of C. difficile infections now adds more than $1 billion to overall healthcare costs in the U.S. each year ¹. An effective strategy to reduce the risk of C. difficile infection is positioned to have a significant impact on both patient outcomes and healthcare costs in the years ahead. Flexi-Seal® FMS may be considered as part of an infection control protocol in the management of patients with C. difficile infection.
*References: 1. Vital Signs: Preventing Clostridium difficile Infections. MMWR. March 2012; 61: 157-162. 2. Association for Professionals in Infection Control & Epidemiology. Guide to the Elimination of Clostridium difficile in Healthcare Settings. 2008. Washington, DC.3. Containment of Clostridium difficile by the FlexiSeal® Fecal Management System: an In Vitro Study. WHR13107MA106. May 8 2008. Data on file, ConvaTec. 4. Use of Filtered Fecal Collection Bags to Contain Clostridium difficile: an In Vitro Study. WHR13274ma138. 25 September 2009. Data on file, ConvaTec. Flexi-Seal® SIGNAL™ FMS Directions for Use, ConvaTec.
About the Flexi-Seal® FMS family of fecal management systems
Flexi-Seal® FMS, a temporary containment device for patients with acute fecal incontinence, was designed to safely and effectively divert fecal matter, protect patients’ wounds from fecal contamination, and reduce the risk of skin breakdown and spread of infection. Flexi-Seal® FMS is indicated for patients with little or no bowel control and liquid or semi-liquid stool, and can be used for up to 29 consecutive days. Key features of Flexi-Seal® FMS include:
• A soft, low-pressure balloon designed to aid easy insertion and removal, and minimize the chance of tissue necrosis.
• A closed-end collection bag which may help reduce the spread of infection.
• An entirely latex-free design.
In October 2008, ConvaTec also introduced Flexi-Seal® FMS Advanced Odor Control, specifically designed to help manage severe odor associated with fecal incontinence. While maintaining all of the benefits of the original product, Flexi-Seal® FMS Advanced Odor Control has been shown to successfully eliminate catheter odor permeation to levels below those that are humanly detectable.
About ConvaTec
ConvaTec is a leading developer and marketer of innovative medical technologies that have helped improve the lives of millions of people worldwide. With four key focus areas – Ostomy Care, Wound Therapeutics, Continence and Critical Care, and Infusion Devices – ConvaTec products support healthcare professionals from the hospital to the community health setting. 
See other ConvaTec products here.