Abstract: Non-invasive Method Overcomes Incontinence: Program retrains residents to recognize the urge to void

Joanne K. McCliment. "Non-invasive method overcomes incontinence: Program retrains residents to recognize the urge to void." Contemporary Long Term Care (May 2002).

Objectives:
* This article describes how one extended care facility used the BladderScan^® to reduce incontinence and restore bladder function.

Methods:
* Caregivers scan the resident's bladder to determine if catheterization or toileting is necessary.
* Prior to use of the BladderScan, nursing staff used a straight catheter to measure bladder volume, which is uncomfortable, invasive, and increases the resident's risk of urinary tract infection.
* The BladderScan serves as a means of guiding residents through their bladder therapy program: It shows them how much they have in their bladder so they can relearn to recognize the sensation associated with the need to void.
* Caregivers develop continence-care schedules specifically for the individual resident, based on the resident's bladder function pattern. This pattern is determined by monitoring the resident's fluid intake and measuring bladder volume with the BladderScan for three days.

Results:
* "We've seen a dramatic reduction in infections, disposable products, and staff time spent toileting residents unnecessarily."
* The BladderScan is "an invaluable aid" in bladder retraining programs, by demonstrating bladder volume to residents.
* In a case study, a resident in the bladder retraining program learned to recognize the sensation associated with the need to void, her pressure sores healed, and she gained peace of mind and a newfound sense of independence: '"I just needed to know I was okay," she said. "And now I do."'

Conclusions:
* The BladderScan helps residents in extended care overcome incontinence by retraining them to recognize the urge to void.
* BladderScan use helps reduce infections, disposable products, and staff time spent toileting residents unnecessarily.
* Staff can use the BladderScan to develop individual continence-care programs for each resident, by helping establish the resident's bladder function pattern.
* BladderScan use improves quality of life for residents by preventing unnecessary catheterization, reducing infection, and restoring bladder function.

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