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Incontinence: managed or mismanaged in hospital settings?
Joan Ostaszkiewicz1, Beverly O'Connell, Lynne Millar
1Deakin-Southern Health Nursing Research Centre, Victoria, Australia. joan.ostaszkiewicz@deakin.edu.au
International Journal of Nursing Practice
|January 8, 2009
Summary
Hospitalized patients frequently experience incontinence, with over 20% reporting urinary issues. Current management in hospitals is suboptimal, highlighting a need for improved clinical awareness and structured care for urinary and fecal incontinence.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Urology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Incontinence is a common issue affecting hospitalized patients.
- Assessing and managing incontinence in acute care settings is crucial for patient well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of urinary and fecal incontinence among inpatients.
- To evaluate the current management strategies for incontinence in hospital settings.
Main Methods:
- A survey of 447 hospitalized adults was conducted.
- Medical records were audited to assess documentation of continence status.
Main Results:
- 22% of patients reported urinary incontinence, 10% faecal incontinence, and 78% nocturia.
- Medical records showed a lack of documentation regarding patients' continence status.
- Incontinence management in acute and subacute settings was found to be suboptimal.
Conclusions:
- There is a significant need to improve clinical awareness and implement structured assessment and management of incontinence in hospitals.
- Further research is required to understand the costs associated with incontinence management in healthcare settings.
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