Exploring the Perception of Urinary Catheter Use in Older Surgical Patients: ADLs Matter.
Hao-Mei Tung, Chuan-Hsiu Tsai, Anthony Jeng and 4 others
PMID 42001229WHAT IT FOUND
Among older surgical patients with a urinary catheter, greater daily living independence and better catheter knowledge were linked to more positive views of catheter use.
This does not show education changes preference.
Key findings
01In older surgical patients with a urinary catheter, higher independence in daily activities and better catheter knowledge were associated with a more positive perception of catheter use.
02Among the lower-scoring knowledge items were knowing alternatives to a catheter, cleaning the catheter area at least once a day, and that long-term catheter use can cause catheter-associated infection.
03Among the lower-scoring perception items were preferring a catheter to alternatives, including a bedpan or diaper when moving was difficult and when incontinent.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
It was done in one hospital in southern Taiwan, so it may not apply to other settings or cultures. It measured perception at one point within 48 hours after admission, so it cannot show cause and effect or how perception changes over time. Perception was reduced to a single score, which may miss why individual patients prefer or dislike a catheter. Some history variables came from medical records without standardized validation, so they may have been misclassified. Most patients had a high level of independence on the Katz ADL scale, so findings may not apply to patients who need much more help with daily activities.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that teaching about catheter alternatives will reduce catheter use or change perception. The study measured perception once within 48 hours of admission and only reported associations, not a tested education programme.