Impact of the lack of community urinary catheter care services on the Emergency Department.

Objectives: To conduct an audit of patients presenting with long-term urinary catheter (LTC)-associated problems to our Emergency Department (ED) and to assess the availability of community nursing support for their LTC. We also estimated the cost implication to the health service and the potential solutions to this issue, as although catheter care is provided by community nurses, LTC problems are common presentations to the ED and are often significant burdens to the services.

Patients And Methods: A study was carried out of all patients presenting to the ED with a urinary catheter problem, specifically studying LTCs and the reason for presentation, district nurses' involvement, and the intervention received.

Using no-rinse skin wipes to treat incontinence-associated dermatitis.

Individuals who suffer with incontinence, especially in relation to faeces, will often be at risk of skin breakdown and develop incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) which, if left untreated, can lead to pressure ulcer formation ( Gray, 2004 ). IAD is caused by increased, unrelieved moisture against the skin, usually from liquid faeces and urine, which can then weaken the skin integrity. The integrity of the skin in this area is also at risk of pressure ulcers caused by shear or friction ( Beeckman et al, 2010a ).

Use of near infrared spectroscopy as an alternative to videourodynamics to detect detrusor overactivity in women with the overactive bladder syndrome.

Objective: To evaluate near infrared spectroscopy as a noninvasive alternative to cystometry for detecting detrusor overactivity in women with overactive bladder (OAB). Although cystometry is considered the "gold standard" investigation for the lower urinary tract, it is invasive. Recently, a noninvasive form of assessment of the lower urinary tract has been introduced using near infrared spectroscopy.