Devising an effective general nursing continence assessment tool

Incontinence assessment forms are routinely used by nurses in order to implement the appropriate management, treatment and referral of patients suffering from bladder dysfunction. A thorough literature search using recognized databases revealed that no specific work has been carried out in respect of validating symptom scoring assessment tools for nurses. Validated symptom scores are available but these are generally used within specific areas of medicine, e.g. prostatic screening incorporates lower urinary tract symptom scores, and physiotherapy, to measure pelvic floor tone. This article examines the need for validity and symptom scoring within a general nursing incontinence assessment tool.