Advancing Continence Care Together (ACCT) is a series of symposiums first held by Wellspect in Sweden in March of 2016 that brings together science, industry and healthcare professionals to focus on care for bladder and bowel dysfunction.

Wellspect is a leading global provider of innovative medical devices and services that help patients living with chronic bladder and bowel conditions sometimes resulting from a spinal cord injury, an enlarged prostate, spina bifida or multiple sclerosis. Bladder and bowel care have a lot in common and Wellspect believes that understanding them together can have a tremendous benefit in terms of improving the quality of life for patients.

In order to promote dialogue and an exchange of knowledge and expertise, Wellspect held its first Advancing Continence Care Together (ACCT) event in Sweden in March of 2016. The first U.S. event took place in June of 2017. The format of symposiums may differ from one to another but their aim is always to bring together different stakeholders involved in continence care to discuss combined bladder and bowel treatment. In that way, “Together” implies not only looking jointly at bladder and bowel care but also the diverse group of professionals involved.

The most recent U.S. ACCT forum took place on May 10^th in Dallas, TX and included over 60 clinicians from across the United States.

Presentations throughout the day explored the relationship between bladder and bowel dysfunction. Among other renowned experts in the field, Dr. Anton Emmanuel, Professor of Neuro-Gastroenterology at University College London and Consultant Gastroenterologist at University College Hospital, London whose presentation asked, “Combined bladder-bowel care: a possibility, a necessity or neither?” Dr. Anne Cameron, M.D. and Associate Professor of Urology at the University of Michigan, presented a holistic view on the management of neurogenic bladder and bowel dysfunction and how the two are intricately related. Participants also were inspired by LoFric® Brand Ambassador Jesi Stracham, adaptive athlete and co-founder of the Wheel with Me foundation. She shared her experiences of living with spinal cord injury and how she keeps such a positive attitude with the help of family and friends and her active pursuit of adaptive sports. She also talked about how using LoFric® Sense™ has kept her Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) free which enables her to do what she does.

The forum concluded with an expert panel discussion on the combined approach of bladder and bowel management. Attendees also had opportunities throughout the day to network and speak with representatives from Wellspect. Employees in attendance included Marketing Development Manager Nimesh Bhagat, KOL/Clinical Relations Manager Grant Friedrich, Clinical Nurse Manager Lisa Beauchemin and Clinical Nurse Specialist Katherine Fernandez, Regional Manager Frank Pinto, and District Sales Managers Andy Cibotti and Jason Woodard, who were there to answer questions regarding the Company’s bladder and bowel products and services.

Attendees gave a lot of positive feedback about the Dallas event and felt that it not only exceeded expectations but that they left engaged and better informed.

Some comments included:

“I wasn’t sure what to expect but this far exceeded my expectations.” 

“Thank you for inviting me, this was a great day.”

“What great and informative speakers.”