Bed-Wetting and Enuresis Alarms

Wireless Alarms Selection Criteria Explanations

Convenience : If the bedwetting alarm is not easy to use for the patient and caregiver, their motivation to continue to use it may suffer.
Easy to use : Important for patient and caregiver.
Easy to attach/detach alarm Sensor : Important for patient and caregiver.
Quick and easy to clean sensor : Important for patient and caregiver.
Quick and easy to reuse sensor and system : Important for patient and caregiver.
Alarm(s) can be remotely turned off : Particularly important for caregiver, and can benefit patient as well.

Comfort : Comfort for the patient is important for keeping the patient motivated.
Alarm sensor small : Important for the patient.
Alarm sensor light weight : Important for the patient.
Sensor only item attached to/worn by patient : Important for the patient.
Item attached to patient NOT Bulky/ Clumsy : Important for the patient.

Flexibility : Both the patient and caregiver benefit from flexibility.
Allows patient to actively move around : Important for patient and caregiver .
Can be used in public places : Important for children and adults who need to use the device and be alerted in public places such as schools, restaurants, theaters, etc.
Privacy in public places : Visual and alerting privacy are important to the user in public places so that the alarm system is not easily seen or heard when used in public places.
Can be used with standard cotton underwear : Important for patient and caregiver.
Can be used with special wetness sensing briefs : Helpful for the user.
Can be used throughout the day : Important for patient and caregiver.

Durability : Particularly important to the caregiver or party paying for the device.
Can be used many times > 300 : 300 uses is a arbitrary number, as most patients should not need more than 300 activations.                                                                         
Can be used many times > 300 without supplies : Cost of supplies over time can be significant.
Sensor is sturdy and will not break  easily.

Effectiveness : How well and reliably the device works is of great important to patient and caregiver.
Sensor can be attached at point of urination : The closer to the point of urination, the sooner the sensor will sense urination.
Type of attachment of Sensor at Briefs : The type of sensor can affect convenience, comfort and quickness to sense urine.
Wakes up patient : The alarm must be able to wake the user (patient). It may be necessary to add more than the original alarm to be effective
Wakes up caregiver with 2 alarms system : The caregiver being woken to support patient (particularly children) is important
Customer can Easily Program at Home to Add Alarm (No Programming) : This allows the purchaser to add one or more additional alarms after the initial purchase.
Can easily change alerting device to suit user : Very important for both patient and caregiver. The alarm MUST wake up the patient
Optional Audio Alarm unit added to the receiver : Practical for patients needing louder sound.
Optional Bed Shaker/Vibrating unit added to the receiver : Practical for patients needing additional stimulus. Very effective for waking/alerting patients.
Maximum Extra Alarms Attachable to each Receiver : Practical if multiple alarms are needed.
No practical distance limitations for alarms within home : Practical for a large house or location.

Provides visual and auditory privacy : Cannot be readily seen when in use and alert cannot be heard by the public.

Wireless : Transmission between sensor/transmitter and receiver/alarm is wireless for convenience.
Sensor and Transmitter are One Unit (not significantly apart):  Easier to use and clean.
NO wires at all on patient : Important for patient. Removing wires on the patient reduces possible mishaps.
NO wires from sensor to transmitter : Important for patient. Removing wires on the patient reduces possible mishaps.
Remote Control Provided : Particularly important for caregiver and others in the house, and can benefit patient as well.
Every Receiver can Transmit/Re-transmit to other Receivers : If a receiver cannot re-transmit a received signal to other receivers, each and every receiver must be in the direct transmission range of the transmitter. So every receiver must be within direct range of the sensor transmitter, and also within direct range of the remote transmitter. This can be a handicap if longer distances are to be covered, as re-transmission allows “daisy chaining” receivers. Also, re-transmission can be used redundantly to better enable signal reception (if the signal is blocked along one path, it may successfully go along another path).

Weight : Lighter attachments improve comfort for the patient.
Sensor (by its self) : Important for the patient
Sensor and transmitter/alarm attached to patient : Important for the patient
Everything that needs to be attached to patient to make the system work : Important for the patient.
Transmitter Size : Comfort for patient and ease of use.

Cost : Of concern to the person paying for the alarm and its use in money, time and effort.
Cost for complete One Alarm kit (1 Alarm & Sensor) : Basic wireless bedwetting alarm system
Cost for complete Two Alarm kit (2 Alarms & Sensor) : For caregivers wanting to be woken up with the patient
Additional alarm cost (Third Alarm, if Possible) : Useful if the caregiver may be in more than one location
NO Batteries or Replacements Needed : Saves cost and hassle.
Non-disposable supplies needed due to Wear Out or “Decay” : Saves cost and hassle of buying additional items as they wear out.
Disposable supplies needed : Saves cost and hassle.
NO time & effort spent with supplies : Saves cost and hassle of continuous supplies needed.

Warranty :  Indicator of minimum useful life. Shorter warranties suggest more replacement costs and hassle.
Alarm Box : For the alarm box itself (does not include the sensor) this varies from one year to one month.
Sensor: Many manufacturers provide a shorter warranty for the sensor as this part if more prone to wear-and-tear, misuse, and decay.

Certifications :  Certifications indicate that the alarm meets established standards.
Certifications Provided : These may be necessary to meet legal requirements for sale and use in various countries, and meets established safety and performance standards. Consider using only devices that have needed certifications and are not violating local laws.
USA FDA Registered : Applicable to the U.S.A. Required by U.S. Laws and regulations. Unregistered devices cannot be legally shipped from U.S. sources, and the manufacturer, seller and shipper can be penalized. Consider using only devices that have the required registrations and are not in violation of U.S. laws.