Implantation of the bladder volumetric scanner: a new nursing tool.

Abstract

Introduction: The bladder catheterization necessary to resolve acute urinary retentions and perform bladder controls also leads to a series of complications. We set ourselves the objective of checking whether the use of the bladder ultrasound scanner reduces the number of catheterizations in two units of internal medicine.

Methodology: Retrospective cross-sectional analysis through Gacela Care ® program records. In two internal medicine units (A and B), 2 different periods were evaluated before and after the use of the ultrasound scanner. In the post period, in both units, signs and symptoms of urinary retention were assessed to proceed with the catheterization and the bladder content was read through the ultrasonographic scanner. The results were analyzed through the SPSS program performing a chi square by comparing percentages.

Results: In the 1st period, in Unit A, 41.4% of the catheters present in the unit were placed, in the case of Unit B, the percentage reached 34.7%. After the implementation of the scanner, probing was performed in 53.3% and 41.7% of the patients respectively. The difference in the total percentage of patients with catheter does not reach significance in any of the two units (Unit A p = 0.410, Unit B p = 0.201), although it was possible to decrease the number of bladder catheters within each unit (Unit A n = 4, Unit B n = 7).

Conclusions: The results presented show how the use of ultrasound scanners reduces the implantation of unnecessary bladder catheters.