A study of current nursing management of long-term suprapubic catheters.
Problems associated with long-term catheters can place increased demands on nurses' time and resources. This article reports a study which investigated the nursing management of 113 patients with long-term suprapubic catheters. The study identified that 52% of catheters were changed routinely, 30% of catheters were changed only when they became blocked and 30% of nurses experienced problems when changing catheters. A total of 42% of patients received either a bladder 'washout' or instillation and 60% required a dressing around their suprapubic site. This study also examined the reasons for applying dressings, the type of dressing used and the frequency of dressing changes, which has long been a neglected area of research. Recommendations for future practice are discussed.
Evans
A
A
Department of Urology, Southmead Hospital, North Bristol Healthcare Trust, UK.
Feneley
R
R
D001458:Bandages; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D003152:Community Health Nursing; D004739:England; D006801:Humans; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000379:methods; D009735:Nursing Homes; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*