Abstract: A BladderScan^® Trial in Geriatric Rehabilitation

Barbara Resnick, MSN, RN, CRNP. "A BladderScan^® Trial in Geriatric Rehabilitation." Rehabilitation Nursing 20 (Jul/Aug 1995) 4: 194-196.

Objectives:
* To evaluate the effectiveness of bladder ultrasound scanning (using the BladderScan^® BVI 2000) in the assessment and treatment of urinary incontinence in older adults.

Methods:
* This study took place in the geriatric rehabilitation and acute rehabilitation units of a small orthopaedic hospital. All participants in the study were over 65 years of age.
* The patients' bladders were scanned with every spontaneous void or every eight hours, until postvoid residuals were 300cc or less.
* Individuals with residual urine volumes of greater than 300cc were catheterized.

Results:
* "Of the 95 scans [performed in this study], only 50 resulted in a patient's being catheterized; eight patients were catheterized because of postvoid residuals greater than 300cc. Consequently, 45 (47%) of the scans resulted in patient's not being catheterized following the scan."
* The use of the BladderScan^® facilitated bladder retraining among individuals unable to void spontaneously by allowing the nurse to evaluate bladder function without repeated catheterization.
* Upon discharge, fewer patients had urinary tract infections than at the time of admission to the hospital.

Conclusion:
* "This study showed that use of a bladder scanner enables nurses to do a more complete assessment of an older patient's bladder function without the need for an invasive catheterization and the concomitant risk of pain and infection."
* "The scanning procedure was learned quickly by the nurses after an initial demonstration and a single practice assessment. The nurses reported informally that the scans were quick and easy to do. The patients reported satisfaction at not having to endure catheterizations unless they were necessary."
* "In addition, using the scanner probably reduces hospital costs by decreasing the number of catheterizations, reducing nursing time, and contributing to a reduction in urinary infections."
* "The bladder scanner proved an easy-to-use, noninvasive, and comfortable way to manage urinary problems in the geriatric rehabilitation patient."

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