‘Qora’

• The government has launched an indigenously developed “affordable” faecal incontinence management system ‘Qora’.
• This innovative medical device has been developed under Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India supported Biodesign Programme by M/s. Consure Medical, New Delhi, a spin-off from the Program. Biodesign is a Med-Tech innovation Program of DBT aimed to train the next generation of medical technology innovators in India to develop innovative and affordable medical devices as per unmet clinical needs of India.
• This Program is implemented at AIIMS and IIT, Delhi in collaboration with International partners such as Stanford University, USA, Queensland University of Technology, Australia and Tottori University and Japan

What is Fecal incontinence?
Fecal incontinence (FI) is a medical condition marked by inability to control one’s bowel movements, causing stool (feces) to leak unexpectedly from the rectum. It affects nearly 100 million bed ridden patients worldwide. Furthermore, about 50% of the psychiatric ward patients have FI due to long-term neurological diseases. At present, absorbent pads and fecal drainage catheters are the only available solutions for this condition.
Analysis:

• The technology ‘Fecal Incontinence Management System-Qora’ has been developed to address the clinical and economical implications of fecal incontinence by expanding indications for use, reducing skill level required to use a device, and introducing a new level of care for patients outside the ICU.
• QoraTM Stool Management Kit is the world’s first FDA 510(k) approved indwelling fecal drainage device for the management of fecal incontinence that can be used across a continuum of care facilities from ICUs to nursing homes.
• Worldwide hundred million patients confined to bed suffer from inadequate bowel management. Impaired bowel control and diarrhoea in bedridden patients pose significant challenges for patients and care taker or provider alike.
• Patients with faecal incontinence and diarrhoea have 22 times higher odds of developing facility acquired pressure ulcers (FAPU), which increase to 37.5 times higher odds if they are immobile
• Traditional bowel mismanagement cannot even lead to an increased length of stay but also an increase in avoidable healthcare expenditure due to complications such as pressure ulcers and nosocomial infections. Till date only few measures are available for management of faecal incontinence and diarrhoea includes absorbent pads and adult diapers.

By: Vishal