title: The accuracy of Bladderscan in intrapartum care.
abstract: This study was carried out to ascertain whether the Bladderscan machine is accurate in the measurement of bladder volume of women in labor. This would help avoid unnecessary intervention for a significant number of women who have small bladder volumes. Fifty women had a Bladderscan measurement during labor which was compared with an immediately obtained catheter volume. The overall correlation was weak (r = 0.593) but was influenced by the absence or presence of amniotic fluid. In women with ruptured membranes the relationship between Bladderscan volume and catheter-obtained volume was good (r = 0.851), but poor if the membranes were intact (r = 0.128). The Bladderscan may have a role in measuring bladder volume in women in labor and may therefore reduce the frequency of unnecessary catheterization, with the inherent increased incidence of urinary tract infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Torbay Hospital, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 7AA, UK. julian.barrington@sdevonhc-tr.swest.nhs.uk
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Barrington
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Arunkalaivanan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abdel Fattah
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014463:Ultrasonography; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014546:Urinary Catheterization; D014556:Urine