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Continence Assessment - Evidence Update
October 2011
Welcome to the October bulletin on Continence Assessment being produced by the HEFT Library Services. This bulletin is produced to support VITAL for Nurses core skills programme developed in the Trust. This issue will highlight evidence published in the previous four weeks. Full text articles can be Bladder and Bowel Management
Nursing Standard. August; 25(48) p. 59The article provides an insight into faecal incontinence and the issues faced by nurses in various clinical settings.
Menopause. September; 18(9) p. 962-66Comparing the efficacy of the ultralow-dose estradiol releasing vaginal ring with that of oral oxybutynin in the treatment of overactive bladder in postmenopausal women.
Journal of Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing. September; 38(5) p. 569-73The purpose of this study was to compare retention cuff pressures of 3 indwelling stool management systems while subjects assumed different body positions and while cuffs were inflated to different volumes. The results were inconclusive as to what difference they make in patient safety or comfort.
Catheter Care
International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing. November; 15(4) p. 212-19This article describes the development of a protocol to guide nurses in their decision to catheterise patients, The introduction of care protocols has been linked with enhanced patient care, improved patient outcomes, and enhanced nursing job satisfaction due to increased autonomy.
British Journal of Community Nursing. August; 16(8) p. 374-80Nurses at all levels can have a huge influence on urinary catherterization rates and catheter management. They can help reduce the risks of harm and infection and improve quality of care.
American Journal of Infection Control. 39(5) p. E40-E40Many hospitals have implemented protocols for removal of urinary catheters without a doctor's order if a patient meets guidelines approved by the hospital medical staff. The question is, will nurses remove urinary catheters without a doctor's order in accordance with the protocol? Continence
Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine. October; 21(10) p.281-7Urinary incontinence (UI) is a particular problem in the frail elderly, who can sometimes pose a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge by virtue of their complexity. However, treatment can lead to significant improvements.
Fecal incontinence is considered to be a highly prevelant condition, especially in women. The study highlighted that complicated deliveries are risk factors for fecal incontinence and is more prevelant in menopausal women.
Diseases of the Colon and Rectum. August; 54(8) p. 975-81 Journal of Clinical Nursing. 20(13-14) p. 1895-05The results indicated that urinary incontinence content should be included in care plans for patients living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and they should be offered appropriate assessment and management Urologic Nursing. 31(3) p. 169-72Treated urinary incontinence at the end of life provides dignity and will maintain quality of life. This article describes the urinary care needs and options for individuals receiving end-of-life care.
Rehabilitation Nursing. September; 36(5) p.216-22Nurses want to be involved in decisions about indwelling urinary catheter use and medical/surgical and rehabilitation nurses agree strongly about advocating for patients with indwelling urinary catheters.
Further Information
Multiple sources - websites, journals and healthcare databases - have been searched for evidence published in
the last four weeks are identified and highlighted here. For a detailed list of sources that have been scanned, or ext 42503 (Heartlands Hospital).
Please login with your Athens ID on 'before' clicking on any of the journal full text links in this bulletin for seamless access.
To request articles where there is no full text link, please complete an article online request form available on HEFT Library website under 'Electronic Forms' menu. Please note that there is now a charge of £1 for such requests.
For more information on how to register for Athens, access the Athens registration leaflet via HEFT Library

Source: http://www.heftlibrary.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/evidence_bulletins/Continence%20Assessment%20Evidence%20Update%20-%20October%202011.pdf