Bladder Scanners Can Help Prevent Unnecessary Catheterizations

With 75 percent of urinary tract infections at healthcare facilities tied to indwelling urinary catheters, caregivers have a real incentive to avoid catheterizations.¹ Tag F315 makes it clear that indwelling catheters should be used as sparingly as possible. 


The tag's goals are to ensure that²:

• Each resident who is incontinent of urine is identified, assessed and provided appropriate treatment and services to achieve or maintain as much normal urinary function as possible
• An indwelling catheter is not used unless there is valid medical justification
• An indwelling catheter for which continuing use is not medically justified is discontinued as soon as clinically warranted
• Services are provided to restore or improve normal bladder function to the extent possible after the removal of the catheter
• A resident, with or without a catheter, receives the appropriate care and services to prevent infections to the extent possible

Bladder scanners are convenient, portable tools that help you determine a resident's particular type of incontinence and potentially avoid catheterization. These noninvasive units provide accurate bladder imaging that can help identify a resident's treatment needs. Using an ultrasound image, they automatically calculate bladder volume and determine post-void residual. These findings can help you determine whether a resident has urge or overflow incontinence, which often present with the same symptoms, and begin the proper treatment protocol.

Regular measuring of bladder volume can assist you with developing a volume-based toileting schedule to save time and reduce the number of incontinent episodes. Scheduled volume measurement can also help you determine when, if ever, catheterization is needed.

Professional Medical now offers the Portascan+^™ bladder scanner. We invite you to contact your territory manager or give us a call at (800) 648-5190 to learn more about this valuable tool.

References
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI). Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/HAI/ca_uti/uti.html. Accessed July 12, 2012.

2 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. State Operations Manual. Appendix PP – Guidance to Surveyors for Long Term Care Facilities (Rev. 70, 01-07-11). Available at: http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/downloads/
som107ap_pp_guidelines_ltcf.pdf. Accessed July 12, 2012.