Interventions Post Catheter Removal (iPCaRe) in the Acute Care Setting: An Evidence- and Consensus-Based Algorithm.

Despite advances in the prevention of catheter-acquired urinary tract infections achieved by programs that include removal of the indwelling urinary catheter at the earliest possible time, evidence guiding bladder and incontinence management strategies following discontinuation of a catheter is sparse. To address this gap and guide best practice, the WOCN Society appointed a Task Force to develop an evidence- and consensus-based algorithm guiding clinical decision-making for effective bladder and incontinence management strategies after indwelling urinary catheter removal. This article describes the design and development of the algorithm, consensus-based statements used to guide best practice in this area, and its content validation.

Assessment, Selection, Use, and Evaluation of Body-Worn Absorbent Products for Adults With Incontinence: A WOCN Society Consensus Conference.

The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses (WOCN) Society charged a task force with creating recommendations for assessment, selection, use, and evaluation of body-worn absorbent products. The 3-member task force, assisted by a moderator with knowledge of this area of care, completed a scoping literature review to identify recommendations supported by adequate research to qualify as evidence-based, and area of care where evidence needed to guide care was missing. Based on findings of this scoping review, the Society then convened a panel of experts to develop consensus statements guiding assessment, use, and evaluation of the effect of body-worn absorbent products for adults with urinary and/or fecal incontinence.

Does the Use of Clean or Sterile Dressing Technique Affect the Incidence of Wound Infection?

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to examine the evidence and provide recommendations for the use of clean or sterile dressing technique with dressing application to prevent wound infection.

Question: In all persons with acute or chronic wounds, does the use of clean or sterile dressing technique affect incidence of wound infection?

Search Strategy: A search of the literature was performed by a trained university librarian, which resulted in 473 articles that examined any age group that dealt with application of a wound dressing using either sterile or nonsterile technique. A systematic approach was used to review titles, abstracts, and text, yielding 4 studies that met inclusion criteria.

Revisiting colostomy irrigation: a viable option for persons with permanent descending and sigmoid colostomies.

Colostomy irrigation (CI) is the regular irrigation of the bowel for persons with a permanent colostomy of the descending or sigmoid colon. Although this technique was first described in the 1920s, a recent study of 985 WOC nurses found that almost half (47%) do not routinely teach CI to persons with colostomies. In a systematic review (Evidence-Based Report Card) published in this issue of the Journal, we summarized current best evidence concerning the effect of CI on bowel function and found that irrigation reduces the frequency of bowel elimination episodes and allows some patients to reduce or eliminate ongoing use of a pouching system.

Does colostomy irrigation affect functional outcomes and quality of life in persons with a colostomy?

Background: Colostomy irrigation may be used by patients with colostomies to regulate bowel evacuations by stimulating emptying of the colon at regularly scheduled times.

Objective: This Evidence-Based Report Card reviews the effect of colostomy irrigation on frequency of bowel evacuation, flatus production, odor, and health-related quality of life.

Search Strategy: We systematically reviewed the literature for studies that evaluated health-related quality of life in persons aged 18 years or older with colostomies of the sigmoid or descending left colon.

Effects of a just-in-time educational intervention placed on wound dressing packages: a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: I compared the effects of a just-in-time educational intervention (educational materials for dressing application attached to the manufacturer's dressing package) to traditional wound care education on reported confidence and dressing application in a simulated model.

Subjects And Settings: Nurses from a variety of backgrounds were recruited for this study. The nurses possessed all levels of education ranging from licensed practical nurse to master of science in nursing.