title: [Appropriateness of the use of incontinence absorbent products in hospitalized adults].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Improper use of incontinence absorbent products in adults can negatively affect self-esteem, quality of life and independence of the patient, as well as increase the workload and cause adverse events. There are few studies evaluating the appropriateness of diapers using validated scales for it, or the justification of nurses for its use in elderly who are hospitalized.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the frequency of diaper use in patients admitted to a hospital and to identify the criteria that determined their use and adequacy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational, cross-sectional study of adult patients using diapers while admitted in Inpatient Units. For data collection cut day was held in April 2013, collecting data from nursing assessment records, patients themselves and their family. Barthel Index items were used as criteria of adequacy concerning mobility and disposal.
  
  
  RESULTS
  228 patients admitted. 83 (34.4%) of them had diapers and 25 (30.1%) of them had no criteria for using them. 28.8% (21) had not previously used diapers, the use of diapers in half of them was inappropriate. Factors associated with inappropriate use of diapers were older age, being female, more comorbidity and days of hospitalization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study show the often excessive use of incontinence absorbent products without proper application, not based on validated criteria.
authors.affiliation: Dirección de Enfermería, Hospital General Mancha-Centro, Alcázar de San Juan, Ciudad Real, España. Electronic address: blancaf@sescam.jccm.es.
authors.forename: Blanca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fernandez-Lasquetty Blanc
authors.affiliation: Área de Calidad y Cuidados, Hospital General Mancha-Centro, Alcázar de San Juan, Ciudad Real, España.
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lorente Granados
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Apoyo a la Investigación, Hospital General Mancha-Centro, Alcázar de San Juan, Ciudad Real, España.
authors.forename: José María
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Tenías Burillo
authors.affiliation: Área de Fisioterapia, Hospital General Mancha-Centro, Alcázar de San Juan, Ciudad Real, España.
authors.forename: Angel Luis
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Racionero Montealegre
authors.affiliation: Unidades de Hsopitalización médicas, Hospital General Mancha-Centro, Alcázar de San Juan, Ciudad Real, España.
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Alcañiz Octavio
authors.affiliation: Medicina Preventiva, Hospital General Mancha-Centro, Alcázar de San Juan, Ciudad Real, España.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gigante León
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D016496:Incontinence Pads / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000628:therapy
keywords: Diapers, Adult; Fecal Incontinence; General hospitals; Hospitales generales; Incontinencia fecal; Incontinencia urinaria; Pañales, Adultos; Urinary Incontinence