To the Editor,

In our article, "Smart Toilets: Innovative Prevention of Fecal Impaction in Older Adults," (Rico & Daniel, 2022) which was published in the March/April 2022 edition of Gastroenterology Nursing, I briefly described the many uses of smart toilets. My research specifically focused on toilets that monitored bowel habits and we found two journal articles. Despite my search including nonacademic sources, I was unable to identify an additional smart toilet until after the article was accepted for publication. For this reason, I wanted to ensure the readers are aware of a third smart toilet that has been developed.

Outsense (2020) is a company in Israel that has invented a small device that clips on to the toilet bowl. The device uses an optical sensor to scan stool when a person has a bowel movement. The information regarding stool characteristics is subsequently uploaded into the company's database. Providers and patients can see the results within minutes. The constant monitoring provided by the company will allow providers to intervene at the first sign of bloody stools, constipation, or diarrhea.

Although the company website does not have any information regarding commercial sale and use, one reporting website estimated that ongoing clinical trials would prepare its launch in the first quarter of 2022 ("OutSense to Transform Human Waste," 2021). I hope the additional information gives the readers a more complete review of the developing technology that can prevent fecal impaction in older adults.

Sincerely,

Jorge E. Rico III, MSN, RN, AGACNP-BC

PhD student

Kathryn M. Daniel, PhD, RN, A/GNP-BC, GS-C, AGSF, FAAN

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

Nursing

Professor, Faculty

College of Nursing and Health Innovation

The University of Texas at Arlington

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