Reproducibility of bladder pressure measurements in critically ill patients.
OBJECTIVE
Intra-abdominal hypertension is an independent cause of multiorgan failure and directly effects other physiological measurements, making it an important factor in the management of critically ill patients, but no clinical studies have investigated the reproducibility of intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) measurement to ensure diagnostic accuracy. This study evaluated the intraobserver and interobserver variability of bladder pressure measurements.


METHODS
Prospective, observational study in a university-based adult surgical intensive care unit.


METHODS
Critically ill patients undergoing intra-abdominal pressure readings, measured by nursing staff.


RESULTS
The study compared patient IAP measurements obtained by the same nurse (intraobserver variation) and between two different nurses (interobserver variation) in critical care patients with clinical indications for IAP monitoring. Data related to the nursing technique and performance were observed and collected for each IAP measurement obtained. Good correlation of bladder pressure measurements between the same and different individuals was found. Intraobserver and interobserver Pearson's correlations for measured IAP were 0.934 and 0.950, respectively. A unit protocol for IAP measurement standardization was modified based on observational data collected.


CONCLUSIONS
Intra-abdominal pressure can be accurately and reliably measured in critically ill patients by utilizing a standardized measurement device combined with a standardized clinical protocol.
Kimball
Edward J
EJ
Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Utah, 30 North 1900 East, 84132, Salt Lake City, UT, USA. edward.kimball@hsc.utah.edu.
Mone
Mary C
MC
Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Utah, 30 North 1900 East, 84132, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
Wolfe
Timothy R
TR
Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Utah, 30 North 1900 East, 84132, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
Baraghoshi
Gabriele K
GK
Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Utah, 30 North 1900 East, 84132, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
Alder
Stephen C
SC
Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Utah, 30 North 1900 East, 84132, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
D000005:Abdomen; D016638:Critical Illness; D006801:Humans; D008365:Manometry / Q000592:standards; D015588:Observer Variation; D011312:Pressure; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000502:physiology*; D014563:Urodynamics