Evidence-Based Continence Care: An Integrative Review

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Gerontology

Background:

• Continence care is crucial for rehabilitation patients.
• Effective management strategies are needed to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
• Existing evidence requires synthesis to guide best practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify evidence-based, nurse-managed continence care strategies for rehabilitation patients.
• To synthesize current evidence using the 2015 Competency Model for Professional Rehabilitation Nursing.

Main Methods:

• Integrative review of literature published 2005-2015.
• Prioritized systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials.
• Categorized recommendations using the four domains of the Competency Model for Professional Rehabilitation Nursing.

Main Results:

• Nurse-led interventions include validated clinical assessments and guideline-derived algorithms.
• Interprofessional teams emphasize shared goals and role-based continence interventions.
• System-based recommendations include electronic documentation, policies, and ongoing nursing education.

Conclusions:

• Rehabilitation nurses are leaders in promoting continence care.
• Evidence-based approaches support a uniform strategy for bowel and bladder management.
• This review equips nurses to enhance continence care practices.