GOODBYE DIAPERS, HELLO GEEWHIZ®

For decades urinary incontinence has threatened the quality of life for many individuals. Urinary incontinence is a subject that is not easy to speak about for many persons and can leave the families of these patients in distress. Stress placed on family members and caregivers can become all too overwhelming while caring for their loved ones enduring this diagnosis. Constant urinary leakage, changing of adult diapers, and many times denial of the issue by the patient can put family members and caregivers on edge. Education about urinary incontinence and effective means of dealing with the issue are the keys to keeping families intact. Urinary incontinence is one of the leading causes for individuals being placed into long-term care facilities, commonly accompanying patients with post-prostatic surgery, uncontrollable urge incontinence, interstitial cystitis, dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and numerous other central nervous system disorders. Convalescent homes, skilled nursing facilities, and long-term care homes spend thousands of dollars per year purchasing adult diapers that are not reimbursable under Medicare.

Diaper changes can reach a frequency of up to six to eight times a day, in addition to the labor costs of the time it takes to change and clean each patient. Frequent changes are necessary to ensure the patient is remaining dry and is not susceptible to skin breakdown and irritation due to prolonged exposure to the acid in the urine. Frequent diaper changes can lead to patient falls and staff injuries.

Prolonged and frequent exposure of urine on skin can lead to ulcers and other wounds that will prolong patient stay, aside from being significantly costly. Long-term care facilities have been plagued with this issue of diaper expenditure for many years. The use of external condom catheters or indwelling catheters for urine collection is an alternative to adult diapers. However, many issues surround these products, which limit their availability and use in such facilities. Indwelling catheters are strayed away from due to their history of causing urinary tract infections resulting in prolonged stays and additional costs. Most external condom catheters have proven to be unsuccessful and ineffective due to aggressive adhesives, difficult connectors, and the catheter falling off of the patient—until now.

The New GeeWhiz® Male External Condom Catheter has been developed over the past 8 years by Pharmacist, Paul Dwork, and BioMedical Engineer, Edward Elson, and has been driven by consumer feedback. New to the market, the GeeWhiz has been widely accepted by urologists, nursing staff, caregivers, and long-term care facilities.

Utilizing a 3-piece system, the GeeWhiz has combated all of the failures associated with the current external condom catheter market, becoming 99% successful with qualified current patients.

THE APPLICATION IS AS SIMPLE AS ONE, TWO, THREE…

WRAP-ROLL-WRAP!

1. A skin-friendly patented Silicone Adhesive GelStrip™ is wrapped around the penis behind the glands first. This strip does not adhere to hair and for the first time, one has control over where the adhesive Silicone Gel Seal is applied to the patient. This is especially important for non-circumcised males where foreskin can become a major issue. The GelStrip™ fills in all cracks and voids on the skin and adjusts for changes in size throughout the day.

2. The catheter is then rolled on and over the shaft of the penis and over the GelStrip™ that forms a watertight seal.

3. The third layer is a SecureStrip™, which is wrapped, snug on the outside of the catheter over the gel “bump”. It is this stretchy final layer that will provide light pressure on the gel seal and will either expand or contract depending on the patient’s circulation changes.

This 3-piece system will stay on the patient for 24 hours. The catheter has a nozzle incorporated within that enables for a 90-degree bend with NO limitation of urine flow. The GeeWhiz has a patented quick connect/disconnect connector to the drainage bag that allows for easy snap on/off connection for nursing staff. This connector also allows more mobile patients to quickly disconnect and relieve themselves in a restroom facility when available without the removal of the catheter.

Implementing the GeeWhiz into a facility can have significant financial benefits by means of coverage by Medicare Part B, whereas diapers are not covered. The GeeWhiz is beneficial for all facilities’ bottom line and patients’ well-being. Not only available for patients with urinary incontinence, but also available for patients with urgency where limited staffing results in constant attention that some of these patients may require.

Improving patient quality of life has been the ultimate goal behind the design and engineering of the GeeWhiz.

To find out more about the Geewhiz and to watch the video, you can find Paul Dwork and The GeeWhiz® in the Parkinson’s Resource Org WELLNESS VILLAGE.
GeeWhiz® has been a member of the Wellness Village since March of 2013. The feedback we have received from clients who have use the GeeWhiz is awesome. Doctor Dwork is devoted to making the Parkinson’s world a better place and we are honored that he joined the Wellness Village.