title: The use of urethral, condom, and suprapubic catheters in aged nursing home patients.
abstract: In this study of 4,259 aged patients in 53 randomly selected nursing homes in Maryland, we found that 10% of women and 15% of men used a urine collection device. Among bedfast patients, 47% of women and 58% of men and, among patients with decubitus ulcers, 37% of women and 33% of men were using a urine collection device. The indwelling urethral catheter was the most commonly used device. Indeed, for women, few other options were available: 93% of women used this device. In women, multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that presence of a decubitus ulcer and occupation of a long-term care bed were the attributes most strongly associated with the use of the urethral catheter. Of men with urine collection devices, 43% were using the urethral catheter; poor mobility status was the characteristic most strongly associated with its use. Long-term urethral catheterization has been well studied and is associated with universal bacteriuria and with a number of complications. Options need to be further explored, particularly external urine collection devices for women. Furthermore, because urethral catheterization may be used as a management technique for decubitus ulcers, prevention of the latter may diminish the use of urethral catheters and their subsequent complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore 21201.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Hebel
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Warren
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001437:Bacteriuria / Q000209:etiology; D001510:Bed Rest; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes; D009949:Orientation; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*