External urinary catheter devices: A multisite project involving point prevalence

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Gerontology
• Nursing

Background:

• External urinary catheters offer an alternative to indwelling catheters in hospital settings.
• The prevalence and patient outcomes associated with external urinary catheter use are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the point prevalence of external urinary catheter device use in female patients on acute care units.
• To explore indications for use, patient mobility, and continence status.

Main Methods:

• A multisite, point prevalence study was conducted on acute care units.
• Device presence, indication for use, and chart data were collected through observation and audit for patients with labia.
• Patient mobility and continence were assessed.

Main Results:

• External urinary catheter device use was observed in 28.8% of eligible patients.
• Immobility was the primary indication, with most patients exhibiting severe mobility dysfunction.
• Many patients were potentially mobile or continent, and mobility levels often remained unchanged from admission to discharge.
• Variations in suction settings and chart documentation were noted.

Conclusions:

• External urinary catheter device use is prevalent in this population, frequently indicated by immobility.
• A significant proportion of patients may not have met criteria for device use, suggesting potential overuse.
• Further research is warranted to investigate the impact of these devices on patient mobility, continence, and skin integrity, and to refine usage guidelines.