Effective Toileting Positioning with the Rifton HTS
Discover the science behind effective toileting positions and how the Rifton HTS supports optimal positioning for users with diverse needs. Learn why squatting is biomechanically advantageous for bowel health and how the HTS can help achieve similar benefits through customizable positioning.
Key Features of the Rifton HTS:
✓ Adjustable footboard for knee-above-hip positioning
✓ Tilt-in-space capability
✓ Forward-tilting backrest
✓ Anterior support for upper body stability
✓ Wide hip guides for enhanced support
✓ Optional butterfly harness for trunk control
Did you know? Research shows squatting naturally relaxes the puborectalis muscle and straightens the rectum, promoting more effective elimination. The HTS’s design incorporates this understanding with adjustable features for optimal positioning.
Transcript
In most of Western society, raised toilets are the standard; but in other cultures, squatting is a common toileting position. Research shows that squatting relaxes the puborectalis muscle, straightens the rectum, and works with gravity to promote a more relaxed, faster and complete elimination. Studies also suggest lower rates of constipation and bowel disorders among populations that regularly use a squatting posture for toileting.
The Rifton HTS (Hygiene & Toileting System) is designed to support effective toileting positions with customizable adjustments that cater to the specific needs of each user. By configuring the HTS with a well-supported footboard, slight posterior tilt-in-space, a forward-tilting backrest, and proper anterior support, users can achieve an optimal forward-leaning toileting position. The adjustable footrest provides a solid base of support and can be raised to position the knees slightly above the hips, mimicking a squatting posture for improved elimination.
For added stability and comfort, the anterior support allows clients to lean or brace their upper extremities securely. Additional accessories like lateral supports and hip guides ensure extra stability. Our newly designed wide hip guides offer enhanced support for narrower hips, while the optional butterfly harness provides increased trunk support when needed.
The HTS’s adjustable backrest and tilt-in-space functions make it ideal for individuals with complex needs such as hypotonia or spasticity. These features allow for comfortable, relaxed positioning, contributing to improved bowel movements. Moreover, the footboard, abductor, and ankle straps promote optimal abduction, further enhancing proper toileting posture.
As with all of Rifton’s products, the HTS is designed with both clinicians and users in mind, offering innovative solutions for a better toileting experience.
