A prospective analysis of consultation for difficult urinary catheter insertion at tertiary care centres in Northern Alberta
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.574Abstract
Background: Difficult urinary catheterization (DUC) is a frequent reason for urologic consultation. Literature regarding DUC is limited. The objective of the study is to examine the current practice pattern of DUC and identify strategies to reduce its incidence and related adverse events.
Methods: This is a prospective observational study of consultation for DUC at tertiary care centres in Edmonton, Alberta between October 2010 and February 2011. All urologic consultations for DUC in adults at the 2 tertiary hospitals were enrolled. Patients were managed according to the current regional standard of care established prior to the study. A clinical encounter questionnaire (CEQ) was completed by the urology service regarding details of the consultation and patient factors. CEQ results were tabulated and analyzed for trends, areas of strengths and weakness in the consultation process.
Results: In total, 89 patients were accrued to the study. Mean age was 67 years and 91% were male. Seventeen percent of patients had history of previous DUC and 65% had urologic history. Forty-two percent of patients had catheter placement without any auxiliary tools. Adverse events, including urosepsis, bladder perforation, hydrouterus, paraphimosis and urethral trauma, were experienced by 37% of patients. Significant urethral injury as a result of catheterization attempts occurred in 32%. Forty-one percent of consultations were classified as inappropriate and 53% occurred between 5 pm and 6:30 am.
Conclusion: DUC is associated with significant patient morbidity and may often be preventable. This study highlights the need for implementation of preventive strategies, widespread education and increased awareness regarding catheter care.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
You, the Author(s), assign your copyright in and to the Article to the Canadian Urological Association. This means that you may not, without the prior written permission of the CUA:
- Post the Article on any Web site
- Translate or authorize a translation of the Article
- Copy or otherwise reproduce the Article, in any format, beyond what is permitted under Canadian copyright law, or authorize others to do so
- Copy or otherwise reproduce portions of the Article, including tables and figures, beyond what is permitted under Canadian copyright law, or authorize others to do so.
The CUA encourages use for non-commercial educational purposes and will not unreasonably deny any such permission request.
You retain your moral rights in and to the Article. This means that the CUA may not assert its copyright in such a way that would negatively reflect on your reputation or your right to be associated with the Article.
The CUA also requires you to warrant the following:
- That you are the Author(s) and sole owner(s), that the Article is original and unpublished and that you have not previously assigned copyright or granted a licence to any other third party;
- That all individuals who have made a substantive contribution to the article are acknowledged;
- That the Article does not infringe any proprietary right of any third party and that you have received the permissions necessary to include the work of others in the Article; and
- That the Article does not libel or violate the privacy rights of any third party.