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Clinical utility of a portable ultrasound device in intermittent catheterization
H A Anton1, K Chambers, J Clifton
1Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Objective:
To evaluate the clinical utility of a new portable ultrasound device (PUD) in the management of intermittent catheter programs in patients with neuropathic bladder.
Design:
Intervention study using randomized control trial.
Setting:
Tertiary care center providing inpatient and ambulatory rehabilitation services to persons with neurologic disabilities.
Participants:
Thirty-eight inpatients and outpatients with neuropathic bladders requiring intermittent catheterization.
Main Outcome Measures:
Mean frequency of intermittent catheterization, mean number of episodes of overdistension, and patient satisfaction as measured with a Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire.
Results:
The mean frequency of catheterization per day was reduced in the PUD group in comparison with controls (2.99 vs 4.12, p = .026). The number of episodes of overdistension was also reduced in the PUD group but did not reach statistical significance (12.45 vs 14.76, p = .61). Subjects generally expressed satisfaction with the PUD, with 16 of 18 patients at least somewhat satisfied with the device.
Conclusion:
The PUD is a useful tool for clinicians in patients undergoing intermittent catheterization programs that can reduce the number of required catheters. It is associated with a high degree of patient satisfaction.