What Do Nurses Prefer? A Cross-sectional Study of Catheter Preference After Pelvic Organ Prolapse Surgery.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine nursing preferences regarding catheter type (transurethral indwelling catheters vs intermittent catheterization vs suprapubic tube drainage) when caring for patients in hospital after pelvic organ prolapse surgery.

Design: Cross-sectional survey study.

Subjects And Setting: Registered nurses practicing in academic and community hospitals across North America (the United States and Canada).

Methods: Three hundred fifty-four RNs who routinely care for patients after pelvic organ prolapse surgery from centers across North America were sent an electronic survey between February 2018 and March 2019. The survey comprised 24 questions that collected information on the participants' demographics and their experience with using different catheters in a hospital setting, along with knowledge of and preference for the different catheter types. Descriptive statistics were used to determine catheter preferences of respondents in addition to their catheter rankings according to catheter-related outcomes.

Results: One hundred sixty nurses completed the survey, representing a 45% response rate. More than half (63.1%, n = 101) of respondents stated a preference for transurethral indwelling catheters, 23.1% (n = 37) preferred suprapubic tubes, and 10.6% (n = 17) preferred intermittent catheterization. Transurethral indwelling catheters were ranked by nurses as the best catheter type for ease of use and pain/discomfort for patients. Intermittent catheterization was ranked by nurses as the best for lowest malfunction rates and return of bladder function. Suprapubic tubes were ranked by nurses as best for lowest infection rates.

Conclusions: This study has demonstrated that nurses practicing in inpatient care units have a strong preference for transurethral indwelling catheters over intermittent catheterization and suprapubic tubes when caring for patients after pelvic organ prolapse surgery.