Exploring the information needs of people living with a long-term indwelling urinary catheter: a qualitative study.

Aims: To explore the information needs of long-term indwelling urinary catheter users, the consequences for patients of inadequate information and how these needs could be met.

Background: Previous studies have drawn attention to the lack of information given to indwelling catheter users and how users would benefit from more. Little is known about the varied and detailed information needs of long-term indwelling catheter users.

Managing and teaching intermittent catheterisation.

Intermittent catheterisation provides a safe and effective alternative to indwelling catheterisation for many patients who require bladder drainage. It can be undertaken by health professionals in a variety of clinical settings for a range of clinical indications and, more commonly, by patients themselves. This article will consider intermittent catheterisation, its indications as a bladder drainage technique and considerations for community nurses when teaching the technique.

An alternative model of prescribing stoma appliances.

The NHS is challenged with making efficiency savings of pounds 20 billion by 2015. In order to achieve a target of this magnitude, commissioners, clinicians and patients are required to work together to evaluate current service delivery and explore all options which have the potential to increase efficiency. This article describes the significant service redesign work undertaken in Rotherham by commissioners, clinicians and patients which has improved the way in which prescriptions are issued to patients requiring stoma products.

Changing a urethral or suprapubic catheter: the patient's perspective.

Understanding the patient's perspective in any area of health care is now recognised as being crucial to good practice, but little is known about patients' views on living with an indwelling urinary catheter. In this study, 36 people living with either a urethral or suprapubic catheter across the UK were interviewed. After thematic analysis, the authors interpreted what they learned.

OptiLube Active. The role of lubricants in urinary catheterisation.

Catheterisation is necessary for many patients but places them at risk of developing uncomfortable and potentially lethal infections. Catheter insertion can also be painful. It is essential that all staff who perform the procedure have a clear understanding of the measures they should implement to reduce discomfort, trauma and the risk of infection to the patient.

Key considerations of intermittent catheterisation.

Intermittent catheterisation provides a safe and effective alternative to indwelling catheterisation for patients who require bladder drainage. It can be undertaken by health professionals in a variety of clinical settings for a range of clinical indications, and increasingly by patients themselves who use it as a long-term bladder management technique. The relative simplicity of the technique comes with the potential for health professionals to underestimate the skills required when considering a regimen of intermittent catheterisation and, perhaps more importantly, to underestimate the impact it may have on individual patients.

Promoting patient safety in continence care.

Continence care is a fundamental component of nursing. Good quality continence care supports patient dignity and improves quality of life significantly. However, as with all aspects of health care, patients face a number of risks during the delivery of continence care and, perhaps more importantly, are at risk of harm when care is not given to the required standard.

Selecting the right urinary leg bag drainage system for patient needs.

There are many clinical reasons why a patient may require indwelling urinary catheterization. Selecting the most appropriate closed drainage system to be used in conjunction with an indwelling catheter is essential to reducing the patient's risk of developing catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI). Leg bags are one of the options available, however, evidence suggests patients may find these products problematic during daily activity.

Redesigning a continence prescription service to improve patient safety and experience.

A review of prescribing practice for continence related products revealed shortcomings in the service that patients were receiving. This led to it being radically redesigned, with the continence service being responsible for prescriptions. The new service model also includes telephone triage before prescriptions are issued.

Improving service provision for patients who are prescribed continence products.

It is estimated that 14 million people experience problems with bladder control and 6.5 million people have a bowel control problem (Bladder and Bowel Foundation, 2008). Many will rely on continence products to manage their problem and as such require products which ensure user dignity and discretion is maintained.

Continence specialists use of quality of life information in routine practice: a national survey of practitioners.

Objectives: To survey continence specialists (CSs) about their assessment practice including their use of quality of life (QoL) information, perceived barriers, benefits and training needs.

Methods: Cross-sectional national postal survey of 624 practicing CSs in the UK. The questionnaire included open and closed questions relating to assessment practice.