Tag F315: an opportunity for WOC nurses

Urinary incontinence affects more than 50% of elderly patients in hospitals and in nursing homes. Of the estimated $16.3 billion spent annually, 90% is spent on management, whereas only 10% is spent on diagnosis and treatment. With their June 2005 release of the F315 tag, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are taking steps to change the circumstances of this disorder. This tag provides several guidelines for continence care. One of the most noticeable mandates is that of "restoring as much normal bladder function as possible." This mandate provides various novel opportunities for the WOC nurses and advanced practice nurses with WOC certification.