Impact of smart fecal sensing technology on caregiver workload and patient dignity in long-term care: A pilot study
F.J. Chuang, Y.H. Chiu, C.H. Chen.
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AbstractPURPOSE: Bowel incontinence management is a major challenge in long-term care, often leading to skin infections, pressure ulcers, and significant physical strain on caregivers due to routine manual inspections. Traditional diaper-based care is labor-intensive and often fails to provide timely cleaning, compromising patient dignity. This study evaluates the clinical utility of a novel Intelligent Gas-Sensing Fecal Collection System, focusing on its efficacy in reducing caregiver workload and improving hygiene standards compared to conventional methods. METHOD: A pilot usability study was conducted involving 30 professional caregivers in a clinical setting. The intervention utilized a prototype integrating a reusable ammonia gas sensor with a biodegradable collection bag and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) transmission for real-time alerts. Key outcome measures included response time, cleaning duration, dermatological safety, and subjective feedback regarding caregiver workload and patient comfort. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The system demonstrated high clinical efficiency, detecting defecation events within 60 seconds and triggering immediate alerts. Significantly, the average cleaning time was reduced by 75%, dropping from 8 minutes with traditional diapers to just 2 minutes using the smart system. In user feedback, 87% of caregivers reported a notable reduction in daily inspection workload, and 83% observed enhancements in patient dignity and comfort due to minimized exposure to soiled conditions. Overall caregiver satisfaction with the system reached 90%, with less than 10% of patients showing mild skin reactions. The integration of real-time gas sensing into excretion care effectively bridges the gap between patient needs and caregiver response. By drastically shortening cleaning times and eliminating unnecessary checks, this technology offers a viable solution for mitigating caregiver burnout while promoting dignified and safer care for bedridden patients.Keywords: caregiver burden, smart senior care, patient dignity, usability
F.J. Chuang, Y.H. Chiu, C.H. Chen. (2026). Impact of smart fecal sensing technology on caregiver workload and patient dignity in long-term care: A pilot study. Gerontechnology, 25(2), 1-10
https://doi.org/10.4017/gt.2026.25.2.1556.3