Securement of the Indwelling Urinary Catheter: A Prevalence Study

The aims of this study were 4-fold: (1) to examine the proportion of indwelling urinary catheters that were secured in an acute care setting; (2) to determine the proportion of secured catheters that were secured correctly; (3) to examine the association of catheter securement with type of unit, age, sex, and location of insertion; and (4) to determine the proportion of units with catheter securement products available on the unit.

Descriptive prevalence study.

All medical and surgical units (n = 21) were surveyed for inpatients with indwelling urinary catheters in 1 urban tertiary care hospital in Western Canada. Critical care and pediatric units were excluded.

During a 6-hour period, 6 RNs data collectors recorded presence and accuracy of catheter securement, area where the participant was catheterized, and availability of securement products on unit. Data were collected using a data form designed for the study.

Seventy-two of 370 inpatients had indwelling catheters on the day of the study. Of these, 61% (44/72) participated. The overall prevalence of catheter securement was 18% (8/44). Seven of the 8 secured catheters were secured correctly. The primary method of securement was a commercial adhesive device (6/8; 75%). Securement products were stocked on 47% of medicine units and 92% of surgical units.

Findings are consistent with other studies and indicate that catheter securement practices are inadequate despite several guidelines published on catheter care.