Until now, the current system of urine collection has been old fashioned, messy, sometimes impossible and is a primary cause of spreading infection from surface to surface.
For Mary Harris, who worked with people who had cerebral palsy and other similar physical disabilities for many years, personal dignity was always paramount.
People using wheelchairs or with physical limitations found there was no really dignified method to provide a urine sample – normally a carer would hold a container underneath them while they were suspended over a lavatory on a hoist.
Harris had the idea after a friend, who was eight months pregnant, called round one evening. The friend explained that she had spent most of the day in the local hospital providing samples because of a suspected health problem. She had only been given standard urine sample bottles. Her clothes, body and the loos she had used had all become wet during the process and she became very upset.
After she left, Harris thought that there must be a better way. And so the journey of developing the Usit began.
Usit is very simple to use. The sample bottle is attached to the Usit and the Usit is then attached to the lavatory. The patient then uses the toilet as normal while the sample is collected in the bottle.
There is no mess or spillage and the sample can then be removed from the Usit without any urine coming into contact with the patient’s hands. This obviously has a huge impact on reducing the spread of germs in hospitals and homes.
Harris said: “It is a shocking fact that, on average, if you have urine on your hands you will probably touch around six surfaces before actually washing them: lavatory flush, taps, soap dispensers, doors, and the inside and outside door handles. And that’s if you remember to wash your hands. Usit can be used by young and old, the physically disabled and if you are pregnant. It is fully washable and re-usable.
She is currently working on a disposable version that will also enable mid-stream sample collection.
