About Coloplast

Coloplast was founded in 1957 and listed on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange in 1983. We develop, manufacture and market medical devices and services to improve the quality of life of the users of our products. In September 2007, we employed more than 7,000 people.

Coloplast has three product areas:

• Ostomy care products for people whose intestinal outlet has been surgically rerouted through the abdominal wall
• Urology and continence care products for people with problems in the urinary system or in the male reproductive system
• Dressings for the treatment of chronic wounds and skin care products for prevention and treatment.

The company operates globally, and mainly in niche markets with a few large suppliers. Most of our products are reimbursed by the healthcare authorities. Coloplast has in-depth knowledge about the healthcare systems of the countries in which we operate, and we are represented by sales subsidiaries in the most important markets. We supply our products to hospitals, institutions, wholesalers and retailers. In certain markets, we are direct suppliers to users and are thus able to provide optimum advice.

In 1993 Coloplast established a Representative office in South Africa, growing from a small base to become leaders in the Ostomy market, a goal we aspire to in Continence, Urology and Wound Care business areas.

As one of the newer subsidiaries in the Coloplast family our focus is to ensure that our customers, prescribers and end-users, receive our world-class products through training and service recognising that we need to behave responsibly in terms of the way we do business which includes contributing to the social and environmental factors within the markets participate.

For more information about Coloplast in Southern Africa, please contact us on

+254 020 386 2261/3 or Email us on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Ostomy Care

Introduction

Coloplast's extensive product programme is designed to meet individual needs both in the hospital and in everyday life situations. This includes skin-friendly adhesives, effective odour filtering, superior anatomical fit and functional design for easy handling.

The product range includes colostomy, ileostomy and urostomy bags as well as accessories. Our products are continually improved in cooperation with end users and professionals.

Background

To have a stoma is not a disease in itself, although it does indicate previous serious illness.  A stoma may be temporary or permanent.

Colostomy is mainly caused by colorectal cancer.  Part of the colon is removed and the intestine is re-routed to an outlet (the stoma) in the abdominal wall. An Ileostomy is normally caused by an inflammatory condition in the intestine, which necessitates removal of part of the ileum and construction of an alternative outlet. 

A urostomy is usually the result of cancer of the bladder.

The surgery, physical status and lifestyle of the patient make varying demands on product solutions.  Basically the bag for collection of intestinal output should adhere securely but gently.  It should be skin friendly and fit smoothly so there is no leakage.  Is should prevent odour and be noiseless.  Finally, it should be discreet.

PRODUCT CHOICE: A Colostomy, Ileostomy or Urostomy

Choice of bag

The individual colostomist / Ileostomist / urostomist will make specific personal demands on bags and accessories.  There are various types of bags and a wide range of accessories so it should be possible to find an appliance that will meet the individual colostomist’s needs.

Paste

The Paste provides a secure seal and is ideal for leveling out scars, folds and wrinkles around a stoma thereby providing a level surface to which any appliance can be easily and securely attached.

Prep

The Prep Barrier Film protects your skin from adhesive trauma, friction and chemical irritation from faeces and urine.  Prep provides a visible barrier film of protection when applied to the skin prior to application of a colostomy appliance.

Appliance Deodorant

The Appliance Deodorant functions by actively neutralizing any odour and is highly effective.  Use is simple and safe – dose 6 – 10 drops into an appliance when changing or emptying and finish off by rubbing the sides of the appliance together to evenly disperse.

Product Range

There are various types of bags and a wide range of accessories available to find a appliance that will meet the individual colostomist’s needs. Coloplast is the sole supplier of the following range of products:

Easiflex

Alterna Original and Alterna New Generation

MC2000

MC2002

PC3000

Corsinel

Fistula Wound Manager System

Coloplast Skin Care

Continence Care

Coloplast is one of the market leaders in continence products. Our goal is to support our customers in their efforts to live full and satisfying lives. We provide high quality and innovative healthcare solutions and services worldwide to a wide group of people including those suffering from incontinence, spinal cord injuries, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, erectile dysfunction, etc. as well as the hospital market where consumption results from indications more acute in nature.

Founded to meet a critical need almost 50 years ago, Coloplast continues to offer health care professionals and their patients breakthrough innovations in continence care. Our less-invasive medical devices improve patient quality of life and upgrade caregiver efficacy. Our twin objectives are to provide safe and reliable solutions for professional users and true independence and security for patients.

It is a fact that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men suffer from urinary incontinence at some time during their lives It is also a fact that at-least 10% of these people seek help. In a population of 300 million (in the Southern African region) that means that at-least 42.8 million people require a solution for incontinence and 4.23 million coming looking for it. For patients, whether they are living at home or in an institution, our ready-to-use, cost efficient applications have a direct and positive influence on the quality of their lives. Strong user response and loyalty tells us we are doing something right. We invite you to join us in our efforts.

Coloplast currently has the following in our portfolio of products catering to this market.

Conveen Security+ Urine Bag

Conveen Security+ Leg Bags can be used together with a urisheath or a permanent catheter to collect urine during daytime. This combination is called a collecting system, and is an alternative to pads. It is made of environmentally friendly material that is very soft and comfortable for the user. The flexible non-kink tubing ensures the free flow of urine. The clamp outlet is easy to identify whether open or closed. Also, available with soft backing. Comes in three different sizes (350, 500 and 750 ml).

Night-time or drainage needs are catered for with the Conveen 1500ml Urine Bag which is calibrated for easy measurement of output and can be used on the leg or at bedside.

Conveen Urisheath/Uriliner

The Conveen Urisheath and Liner is a latex urisheath. It features an anti-kink port and a double-sided adhesive strip with memory to provide optimum security

Features:

·   Soft, elastic double-sided adhesive gently secures catheter in place and won't restrict blood flow.

·    Flexibility in adhesive placement accommodates shorter shaft lengths.

·    Anti-kink port prevents backflow of urine.

·    Transparent material facilitates monitoring of skin.

·     Available in 4 sizes.

Conveen Security+ Urisheath/Uriliner

Conveen Security+ Urisheath/Uriliner is a two-piece urisheath for a more individual fit. The sheath is made from very soft material to provide maximum comfort. The highly elastic liner can be placed on the penis wherever it is most comfortable and will give security in every situation, throughout the day or night, without becoming too loose or too tight.

Features:

·         Anti-kink bellows end port provides continuous flow even when bent at 90°

·         Ridged outlet ensures easy and secure connection to bag

·         Secure in every situation

·         Maximum comfort

·         100% latex free

Conveen Self-Sealing Urisheath

Conveen Self-Sealing Urisheath is a one-piece latex self-adhesive catheter with integrated pull-tab for easy application.

Features:

·     Innovative, skin-friendly adhesive permits longer wear time and easy removal.

·      Wide, adhesive band ensures secure fit.

·      Anti-kink port prevents backflow of urine.

·      Transparent adhesive facilitates monitoring of skin.

·       Available in 4 sizes.

Conveen Security+ Self-Sealing Urisheath

Conveen Security+ self-adhesive sheath is a one-piece urisheath made from very soft, latex free, material to provide maximum comfort and be gentle to the skin. It is a full-length sheath (8cm) available in 4 sizes.

Features:

·         Has an anti-kink outlet designed to ensure continuous flow

·         Wide outlet to ensure optimum flow

·         Built in strong adhesive that is gentle on the skin

·         Easy to apply and remove

·         Ridged outlet ensures secure and easy connection to bag

·         100% Latex free

 EasiCath

EasiCath  is a traditional hydrophilic-coated catheter. Add water to activate the lubrication. Hydrophilic coating offers lower friction than uncoated and gel-lubricated catheters reducing the risk of long-term damage to the urethra.

 Wound Care

The key is to understand the cause

 The people most at risk of developing a chronic wound most often have an underlying medical condition:

• Diabetics often develop foot ulcers because of nerve decay. This means that tight footwear or a foreign object in the shoe can wear through the skin without the person being aware of it.
• People restricted to a wheelchair or to their bed are subject to pressure sores, which arise from not changing position enough.
• Also, elderly are especially prone to leg ulcers and pressure sores because of compromised vascular circulation, reduced mobility and fragile skin.

In all cases, steps must be taken as part of wound treatment to improve the patient’s overall medical condition and raise their awareness of the risks.

Facilitating patient education and knowledge sharing amongst professionals is an important contribution that Coloplast makes. Examples of this can be found under Practice tools at Woundcare.Coloplast.com  – a website for international healthcare professionals.

Focus on healing and comfort

The issues in treating a chronic wound are about keeping the wound moist, removing excess fluid and reducing any bacterial burden. A dressing that does this will establish the basis for an optimal healing environment. Depending on the wound type, it is equally important to relieve pressure or apply compression bandaging as appropriate.

Beyond this, a number of factors are in focus for improving a patient’s situation:

• It is important that the dressing does not leak. A patient may withdraw from social contact because of the smell or sight of exudate leaking from the wound.
• Extending the length of time a dressing can remain on the wound reduces the need for care.
• Dealing effectively with bacteria in a chronic wound improves the healing process, saving money and returning a patient to a more active life.

A significant proportion of chronic wounds are painful, further increasing discomfort and undermining the healing process.

Wound care nurses and doctors play an integral part in our work. We meet in formal and informal settings where our discussions centre on the barriers that prevent or slow the healing process.

Our common goal is to reduce these barriers to achieve faster wound healing.

Setting a benchmark

Innovation is about more than just groundbreaking products. Coloplast Wound Care is also setting a benchmark in terms of clinical evidence. On a special website we present the peer-reviewed evidence that has been published about Coloplast products. The extent of the evidence is unique on the wound dressing market.

A continuous introduction of innovations large and small is to ensure that we continue our contribution to faster wound healing.