Barriers to progress in urinary incontinence: achieving quality assessments

Urinary incontinence is a major care problem in nursing homes. Despite legislation aimed at decreasing its incidence, minimal progress has been made to achieve this goal. Obtaining an accurate assessment about the level and pattern of incontinence will assist caregivers in developing plans to reduce it. This article identifies barriers the authors have encountered in obtaining accurate records in a research project and strategies implemented to overcome these barriers.