Adapting incontinent patients incontinence aids to their leakage volumes

The importance of adapting incontinence aids according to the patients leakage volume and comfort was investigated in 28 urinary incontinent 85-year-old men and women who were living at home. The patients incontinence was quantified by a 48-hour pad test and was graded as slight (max. leakage per pad < 5 g; total leakage/48 h < 30 g), moderate (max. leakage per pad 5-15 g; total leakage/48 h 30-70 g) or severe (max. leakage per pad > 15 g; total leakage/48 h > 70 g). Four women had slight urinary incontinence, eight were moderately incontinent and nine were severely incontinent. The corresponding figures for the seven men were as follows: slight, one; moderate, one; severe, five. After the primary assessment, incontinence aids were prescribed based on the measured leakage volumes. The correctly selected and adapted incontinence aid brought the patient better comfort and security. The importance of careful information and instructions how to apply the pad is emphasised. There is also a need to see the patient again at intervals as leakage volumes may vary. Thus, smaller packages of pads should be supplied as the choice of pad may need to be modified. The latter is also important from a financial point of view as the expense of otherwise wasted pads would unnecessarily increase costs.