WHY TRANQUILITY

Tranquility products provide solutions.  We offer a full line of high performance products to meet the individual incontinence needs of those with bladder control problems and their caregivers.   Tranquility products are available for those individuals with a slight “dribble” through those that need the highest level of absorbency and skin care. 

Our high performance products comprised of super absorbent polymers offer the following benefits:

¨       Elimination of odor

¨       Superior dryness

¨       Leakage protection

¨       Comfortable fit

¨       Uninterrupted sleep

¨       Fewer Changes

Superabsorbent Technology is the difference!

Tranquility products are not just convenient. Our products improve skin integrity, eliminate odor, neutralize urine pH, reduce leakage, and control bacterial growth that can lead to urinary tract infections.  In addition they also provide for uninterrupted sleep that results in less combativeness, and create a more pleasant environment for everyone. 

You may be wondering how a pad, pull-on, or brief can do all these things.  The answer is simple.  The answer is super absorbent polymer technology.  Low performance products are made of a cotton- like material.  There is a common belief that the fluffier the brief that more urine it will hold.  However, these “fluffy” products don’t offer the benefits of the higher performing polymer product.  Imagine the look and feel of soggy wet cotton and you will know what it is like when urine hits a low performance product. Super absorbent products pull or wick away the urine from the skin and lock it into the core of the brief. This major difference in technology results in dry skin, neutralization of bacteria, and no odor.

We offer free consultations to help determine the product or combination of products that best meet individualized incontinence needs.  In addition, we provide complimentary product samples.

HERE’S WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN CHOOSING HIGH ABSORBENCY PRODUCTS:

1.       Liquid absorption and retention capacity.

2.       Cost-effectiveness.

3.       Leak proof protection

4.       Odor elimination

5.       Control of bacterial growth

1.       Liquid absorption and retention capacity.

Skin safety should be a top priority in choosing an absorbent product. Moist skin is prone to irritation, breakdown and the formation of pressure sores.  High-performance products retain larger volumes of urine and will not “squeeze out” even under pressure.  The result is dryer, healthier skin. 

2.  Cost-effectiveness.

A product with a lower absorption capacity needs to be changed more frequently, using more units. A high performance product does lasts longer between changes because it absorbs and neutralizes much more urine than a low performance product. Even though it may have a higher unit price, a high performance product reduces not only the number of units used, but related costs such as laundry and skin care lotions, and can actually result in significantly lower total daily cost.   Fewer changes mean less labor and inconvenience for you and greater wellness for the incontinent resident.

It is very important to remember to check your residents and to reposition them according to rules and regulations set by your state’s licensing and regulatory agency.  However, there is not a “law” that requires briefs to be changed every 2 hours.  If a facility uses low performance products they may need to be changed more frequently due to their inability to retain urine. 

3.       Leak proof protection

Leakage of urine can be prevented. The common belief that the larger the brief the more urine it will hold is really a myth.  It is essential that residents be measured for a proper fitting brief.  A resident wearing the wrong size brief, a large when they should be in a small, only leads to leakage.  High performance products contain super absorbent polymers that will absorb large amounts of urine.  These products perform at their maximum capacity to prevent leakage when a resident is wearing the correct size brief.

4.       Odor elimination

The smell of urine is very unpleasant and yet it is very common in a facility that uses low performance products. High performance products eliminate urine odor as their technology neutralizes the bacteria responsible for creating the odor. The result of odor elimination is a more pleasant environment for everyone.

5.       Control of bacterial growth

Neutralization of bacteria is important for many reasons. Unabsorbed urine is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and other organisms.  These can easily lead to complications, including urinary tract infections.  High performance products neutralize the pH in urine and inhibit the growth of bacteria, creating a safer skin environment. At-risk residents remain dry and protected.  Exceptional levels of skin integrity are achieved through the use of super absorbent products.  

SOLVING PROBLEMS THROUGH PRODUCT SOLUTIONS

If you are experiencing the following difficulties in the management incontinence that’s accompanied by dementia our products provide valuable solutions. Our product lines offer you and your loved one greater comfort and peace of mind.  The superior performance of Tranquility products will give you time to focus on the “little extras” that you really enjoy providing and that enhance the quality of life for your loved one. 

PROBLEM:   combativeness, stress, and agitation during product changes

SOLUTIONS: providing rustle-free, discreet, and familiar to own underwear style options to full briefs

¨       Regular or Super-Plus products used in own underwear

¨       Washable Pants and Pads with high capacity pads

¨       Adult Liners

¨       Adjustable Belted Undergarments

¨       Disposable Absorbent Underwear (pull-on style)
 

Helpful hint:  A caregiver shared with us the success she had with implementing her mother’s change from  her regular underwear (no additional products used) to Disposable Absorbent Underwear (pull on style).  The initial conversations regarding incontinence and products caused a great deal of emotional turbulence.  Then for the next discussion her three daughters showed their Mom that they all wore Disposable Absorbent Underwear and from then on, she wore the pull on style product without question. All were happy!

PROBLEM:   large amounts of urine

SOLUTIONS  product combinations and higher absorbency products

¨       High Capacity Pads with Washable Pants

¨       Adult Liners

¨       Adjustable Belted Undergarments

¨       High Capacity Pads with Disposable Absorbent Underwear

¨       TopLiner Booster Contour with Disposable Absorbent Underwear

¨       SlimLine Disposable Brief with High Capacity Pad

¨       ATN (All-Through-the-Night) Disposable Brief

PROBLEM:    Inability to reach bathroom in time, otherwise light absorbency needs

SOLUTIONS:  Products that provide absorbency and security

¨       Super-Plus TrimShield Pad in own underwear

¨       Washable Pants with High Capacity Pads

¨       Adult Liner

PROBLEM:     Sleep interruptions, wet bedding, wet clothing, irritability due to loss of sleep

SOLUTIONS:   Products that provide extra absorbency during the overnight hours

¨       ATN Briefs (All-Through-the-Night)

¨       Disposable Absorbent Underwear with TopLiner Booster Pad

Nursing Home Study

Plante & Moran, LLP was engaged through Principle Business Enterprises, Inc. to analyze the savings a nursing home achieves by using the Tranquility incontinence product line.  Plante & Moran services more than 450 long term care facilities throughout Ohio and Michigan and prepared the Medicaid and Medicare cost reports for this nursing home study.

Our procedures were as follows:

• Analyze costs between the periods using the Tranquility product line and those prior to its use.
• Interview the following facility staff:
  • Administrator
  • Controller
  • Assistant Director of Nursing
  • PPS/Subacute Manager
  • Nurse Aide
  • Housekeeping Director
  • Director of Nursing
  • Maintenance Supervisor
  • RN Charge Nurse
• Interview Principle Business Enterprise staff regarding the Tranquility product line, facility purchasing patterns and training programs.

Based on the information above Plante & Moran was able to determine the total annual savings for the nursing home which is over $55,000.  The efficiency savings were determined through the interview process and based on average costs contained on the facility's most recent cost report.  The remaining qualitative items listed below, were gathered based upon interviews with the facility staff.

Nursing Home Case Study 1999
 

Incontinence Supply Savings:

1997-98 average of 100 residents on other incontinence products (average of 6 changes per day) at a cost of $1,080 per resident = $108,000 per year.

1998-99 average of 100 residents on Tranquility incontinence products (average of 3.5 changes per day) at $760 per resident = $76,000 per year.

Savings = $32,000

Medical Supply Savings:

1997-98 average of 100 residents on other incontinence products using medical supplies that include barrier cremes at a cost of $1.16 per day per resident for 365 days per year = $42,340.

1998-99 average of 100 residents on Tranquility incontinence products found a 10% reduction in overall medical supplies that include barrier cremes at a cost of $1.04 per day per resident for 365 days per year = $37,906.

Savings = $4,434

Trash Savings:

1998-99 showed a reduction of 2 dumpster trash pick ups per year due to fewer changes of product and 10% reduction of overall medical supplies.  The average cost per dumpster trash pick up is $350 thus the estimated savings with Tranquility products is $700 per year.

Savings = $700

Skin Wipe Savings:

1997-98 cost for skin wipes to facility with other incontinence products was a cost of $15,000.

1999-99 was a total of $15,000 per year is the savings with Tranquility incontinence products.  All skin wipes were eliminated due to dryer skin with higher quality products.  Facility returned to traditional peri care methods (warm water, washcloth, soap), not using skin wipes.

Savings = $15,000

Glove Savings:

1998-99 cost $.02 per glove at 4 less gloves per day (2 less incontinence product changes) with Tranquility on 100 residents for 365 days per year is an estimated savings of:

Savings = $1,460

Education Support:

The Tranquility Education Department provided phone support; staff training support; clinical continuing education support; and restorative care support allowing each patient to achieve the highest quality of care through individual product selection.  The estimated services equated to 4 hours per month at a cost to the manufacturer of $1,200 in support services.

Savings = $1,200

As a Certified Tranquility Facility the Nursing Assistants qualified for the NAGNA (National Association of Geriatric Nursing) scholarship at a value to the facility of $550.

Savings = $550

Total Savings/Value to the facility using Tranquility incontinence products:

Total Savings = $55,050

Efficiency Savings:

Housekeeping efficiencies of 3 hours per day is saved at an average wage of $6.70 per hour for 365 days per year ($7,337).  An additional 35% fringes are added to the 3 hours per day saved at $2.35 per hour for 365 days ($2,568).

Efficiencies Savings using the Tranquility incontinence products is $9,905.

Nurse Aide efficiencies of 30 minutes per day is saved (15 minutes times at least 2 less changes per day) with an average wage of $8.37 for 365 days per year ($1,528).  An additional 35% fringes are added to the 30 minutes per day saved at $2.93 per hour for 365 days ($535).

Efficiencies Savings using the Tranquility incontinence products is $2,063 per Nurse Aide.

Profile of facility:

    Incontinence product:                Tranquility
    Beds:                                       200
    Census:                                   180
    Payor Mix:                                Medicaid (64%); Medicare (13%); Private (22%); Other (1%)

    1998 Annual Expenses:             $9,030,000
    1998 Incontinence Expenses:         $76,400 (0.85% of total expenses)
    Incontinent Residents:                          100 (56% of total census)

Financial Analysis:

The analysis of the nursing home's cost and efficiency savings was conducted by Plante & Moran, LLP.  Plante & Moran is the nation's 9th largest Certified Public Accounting and Consulting firm.  Their practice services more than 450 long term care facilities in both Ohio and Michigan.

Tranquility Success Study:

The nursing home started using the Tranquility incontinence products in May of 1998 and reports the following successes:

• ☺ 50% decrease in skin breakdown
• ☺ pressure ulcers decreased from 17 total to 4 total
• ☺ eliminated the use of all barrier cremes for 10% reduction in medical supply cost
• ☺ distribution plan has eliminated unnecessary waste of products and better tracking of usage
• ☺ staff is better educated on continence training with support from PBE Education Department
• ☺ reduction of risk associated with Nurse Aide changing products at least 2 less times per day
• ☺ notable decrease in urinary tract infections and the use of antibiotics for these infections
• ☺ families of residents are pleased with the product
• ☺ patient dignity has increased with fewer issues such as odor and wetness

  For more information on this study and the nursing home specifics, please call 1-800-467-3224.

Technology

Tranquility products use a patented composite structure of tissue, superabsorbent polymers, cellulose and liquid dispersing materials.  This structure is known as the Peach Mat Construction (for brief-type products) and the Peach Pad Construction (for pad-type products).  The peach-colored tissue assures you the product is Tranquility and that there is unparalleled performance in regard to... 

Capacity
Tranquility products absorb much more fluid than comparable products.  The Komfort Monitor®  measures the volume of liquid absorbed and assures that the full capacity has been used, and that changes are made only when necessary, not before!

Retention
Tranquility products will not allow squeeze out, or leakage, even under pressure.  The elimination of moisture from the surface of the products - or "rewet" - is important in the protection of skin from irritation.  The Kufguards® feature provides extra protection from leakage, especially of fecal material.

Impact on Urine
Through the patented product design and the use of superabsorbent polymers, Tranquility delivers these very important performance advantages (not available elsewhere):

• Neutralization of Urine - urine pH is buffered creating a healthier environment for sensitive skin.
• Inhibition of Bacterial Growth - through the operation of the polymers, free urine (an ideal breeding ground for bacteria) is captured and locked away inside the absorbent structure.  Bacterial growth is slowed and risks of urinary tract infections are reduced.
• Odor Reduction - through the operation of the superabsorbents, oxidation and evaporation of urine is greatly reduced and/or eliminated.  The difference is clear.
• Protection from Biohazards - the pathogens commonly inherent in urine, feces, and blood are absorbed in both the Peach Mat Construction and the Peach Pad Construction and are more effectively disposed of than in their liquid states.  The result is enhanced infection control.

Performance is Guaranteed!