Algorithmic Ostomy Assessment System for Non-Specialized Clinicians
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for administering ostomy devices and products lack a comprehensive assessment of necessary factors across various healthcare settings and fail to provide a standardized, evidence-based guide for non-specialized healthcare providers to select a safe pouching system, leading to inadequate care and confidence among clinicians.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that assesses skin adjacent the ostomy, topographical location of peristomal lesions, stoma type, pouching surface, stoma devices, and complications to generate ostomy assessment information, applying an algorithm to provide ostomy management options, including device and product recommendations, instructions, treatments, and cautions, using a digital processing device and interactive ostomy treatment guide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If non-specialized clinicians or unskilled caregivers provide ostomy care, then accessibility and availability of care improve, but care quality and safety deteriorate due to lack of knowledge and skills
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an algorithm as an intermediary tool that bridges the gap between non-specialized clinicians and expert ostomy care decision-making. The algorithm processes assessment information and provides evidence-based recommendations, enabling caregivers without specialized training to make safe and effective pouching system selections while maintaining accessibility of care
2Measurement precision
If a comprehensive assessment of multiple factors is conducted, then decision-making accuracy improves, but time and complexity of the process increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent structures the assessment process to evaluate multiple critical factors (skin condition, peristomal lesions, stoma type, pouching surface, devices present, and complications) in a predetermined sequence using an algorithm. This preliminary structuring of assessment steps enables comprehensive evaluation to be completed efficiently without requiring clinicians to determine the order of assessments, thereby maintaining decision-making accuracy while reducing time loss
3Reliability
If non-specialized clinicians are trained extensively, then care quality improves, but training time and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables non-specialized clinicians to independently access and utilize the algorithm tool at the point of care to make informed pouching system selections. The system provides self-contained decision support with assessment guidelines and evidence-based recommendations, eliminating the need for extensive external training while maintaining care quality and safety
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are computer-based systems and media for providing an interactive ostomy treatment guide, and methods of using the same, the guide comprising: a software module configured to receive ostomy assessment information, the assessment information comprising one or more of: condition of skin adjacent an ostomy, topographical location of any peristomal lesion, stoma type, pouching surface type, stoma devices present, and stoma complications; a software module configured to apply a treatment algorithm to the ostomy assessment information to generate an output; and a software module configured to display one or more ostomy management options based on the output.