Suprapubic Catheter Change Methods: A Crossover Comparison Cohort Trial.

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Medical Devices
• Patient Care

Background:

• Suprapubic catheters (SPCs) are essential for long-term urinary drainage in many patients.
• Standard procedures for SPC changes aim to minimize complications such as infection and blockage.
• Comparing different SPC change techniques is crucial for optimizing patient care and procedural efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy and outcomes of two distinct suprapubic catheter (SPC) change methods: instillation and observation.
• To evaluate the incidence of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) and catheter blockages between the two methods.
• To assess nursing experiences and identify any challenges associated with each SPC change technique.

Main Methods:

• A nonrandomized crossover trial involving 59 community-dwelling adults with long-term SPC use.
• Participants underwent sequential SPC changes using both the instillation and observation methods.
• Data collection included surveys on CAUTIs, blockages, and nurses' qualitative feedback on their experiences.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant differences in CAUTI occurrences were observed between the instillation (11 events) and observation (11 events) methods.
• Similarly, no significant differences in catheter blockage episodes were found (8 vs 6, respectively).
• The observation method demonstrated no catheter displacement episodes, and nurses' concerns about urine drainage were addressed through hydration protocols.

Conclusions:

• The observation method for suprapubic catheter (SPC) change is as effective as the traditional instillation method.
• This finding suggests the observation method is a viable and potentially simpler alternative for routine SPC management.
• Further research could explore patient-reported outcomes and long-term comparative effectiveness.