Accuracy of Measuring Bladder Volumes With Ultrasound and Bladder Scanning.
Marilyn Schallom, Donna Prentice, Carrie Sona and 4 others
PMID 33130866WHAT IT FOUND
In ICU patients on dialysis or unable to void, bladder scanners better identified the need for catheterization at volumes of 300 ml or more.
Ultrasound was more accurate when abdominal fluid was present and bladder volume was under 150 ml.
Key findings
01Bladder scanner measurements by nurses and advanced practice nurses correctly identified need for catheterization in 94% to 100% of measurements when straight catheter volume was 300 ml or more, while ultrasound measurements correctly identified need in 50% to 80%.
02When abdominal fluid was seen and straight catheter volume was under 150 ml, ultrasound correctly identified no need for catheterization in 97% to 100% of measurements, while bladder scanner was correct in 86% to 89%.
03The bladder scanner could not refocus to capture only the bladder once it locked onto ascites as part of the bladder.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study was done at one hospital and tested only two devices, so other settings or machines may behave differently. Clinicians were a convenience sample, so accuracy may not reflect routine staff. The ultrasound measurement method changed partway through, after some patients had already been measured. Different nurses performed the straight catheterization reference measurement, so complete bladder emptying may have varied. Patients were only those on dialysis or unable to void, so findings do not show accuracy for all ICU patients.
Declared interests
The supplied text lists non-U.S. government research support but does not name a funder or author conflicts. It notes that device vendor clinical specialists provided hands-on training.
The easy way to misread this
Do not treat either device as always better. The scanner was better at identifying patients who needed catheterization, but ultrasound was better when abdominal fluid was present and bladder volume was low.