Related Experiment Videos
Does indication sheet reduce unnecessary urethral catheterization?
S Danchaivijitr1, S Chokloikaew, T Tangtrakool
1Department of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Insights
An indication sheet effectively reduced unnecessary urethral catheterizations in Thai hospitals. While overall rates didn't change, doctors adopted the sheet, improving appropriate procedure use.
Area of Science:
- Medical Practice
- Clinical Decision-Making
- Healthcare Quality Improvement
Background:
- Urethral catheterization is a common procedure with potential for inappropriate use.
- Standardizing indications for catheterization is crucial for patient safety and resource management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of an indication sheet on doctors' decisions regarding urethral catheterization.
- To assess the effectiveness of an indication sheet in reducing catheterization without proper indications.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 16,959 patients across thirteen randomly selected hospitals in Thailand.
- Implementation of an indication sheet for doctors ordering urethral catheterization between April and May 1989.
- Comparison of catheterization rates and appropriateness between control and experimental groups.
Main Results:
- The overall rate of urethral catheterization did not significantly change.
- Catheterization without proper indications decreased from 27.0% in the control group to 14.3% in the experimental group.
- The indication sheet was accepted in 96.5% of instances, with order reversals in only 0.8% of cases.
Conclusions:
- The indication sheet is well-accepted by physicians.
- The use of an indication sheet can significantly reduce the incidence of urethral catheterization performed without appropriate medical indications.
Abstract:
The study on the effect of indication sheet on the decision of doctors in ordering urethral catheterization was done in thirteen hospitals randomly selected from all regions of Thailand. 16,959 patients in medical and surgical wards were included between April and May 1989. The rates of urethral catheterization did not change by the influence of indication sheet. However, urethral catheterization without proper indications was reduced from 27.0 per cent in the control group to 14.3 per cent in the experiment group. The indication sheet was accepted in 96.5 per cent of the occasions when doctors prescribed urethral catheterization. The indication sheet changed the doctors' decision and hence reversed the order in 3 events (0.8%). It is concluded that indication sheet was well accepted by doctors and could reduce urethral catheterization without proper indications.