Nurses' perceptions of urinary catheter selection and management

Area of Science:

• Nursing Practice
• Medical Devices
• Patient Care

Background:

• Nurses manage urinary catheterization procedures in various settings.
• Effective catheter care requires up-to-date knowledge on selection and maintenance.
• Gaps in knowledge can impact patient outcomes and healthcare costs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the current knowledge level of nurses regarding urinary catheter care practices.
• To identify specific areas of deficiency in catheter selection, maintenance, and management.
• To inform the development of targeted educational interventions and policies.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive survey was conducted using a questionnaire.
• The survey targeted registered and enrolled nurses (N=709) in an Australian health service.
• Data analysis focused on knowledge levels related to catheter care practices.

Main Results:

• Only 14% of nurses felt their knowledge was adequate; few had relevant post-registration education.
• A minority (31%) recommended silicone catheters, known for being least cytotoxic.
• Many nurses were unaware of female-length catheters and current catheter costs.

Conclusions:

• Significant gaps exist in nurses' knowledge of urinary catheter care and management.
• There is a clear need for urgent, comprehensive educational programs for nurses.
• Implementing standardized policies for catheter selection and management is crucial.