Authors (including presenting author) :
Lui KL(1), Lau KY(1), Kung WC(1), Sy YW(1), Yu MH(1), Ngo CC(1), Wong KW(1), Li SK(1), Li CM(1), Lai CH(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Department of Surgery, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital
Introduction :
Foley catheters are assumed to drain the bladder to completion. However, catheterized patients often describe intermittent periods of the sensation of bladder fullness, especially after remaining in bed for prolonged periods. In addition, drainage characteristics of Foley catheter systems are poorly understood. This study sought to investigate the prevalence of catheter tubing dependent loops, which is known to impede urine flow from the patient bladder.
Objectives :
To determine the prevalence of indwelling catheter dependent loops and the changes in retained urine within an inpatient hospital setting.
Methodology :
An observational study was conducted over a one-week period. Patients with Fr.14 silicone coated latex Foley catheter in-situ with standard urine drainage bag used in inpatient ward were enrolled. Inclusion criteria included the presence of an indwelling urinary catheter for at least 24 hours, visibly clear urine within the drainage tubing without blood clots, sediment/tissue or calculi, absence of extrinsic drainage tubing obstruction, and recorded mean urinary output of at least 30ml per hour within 12 hours of evaluation. Patients were excluded if they had a suprapubic catheter, impaired renal function or other factors that may affect the accuracy of measurement of residue urine like patient with ascitic fluid, ovarian cyst or on CAPD. Bedside bladder ultrasound volumetric studies were performed between 0700 and 0800, before first ambulation after sleep.
Result & Outcome :
A total of 141 patients in the inpatient ward were recruited in the study period. The majority (85%) of observed urine drainage systems contained dependent loops in the drainage tubing and 93.8% of the dependent loops contained urine. Mean residual volume was 96ml (range 4ml to 226ml) of the urine drainage systems without dependent loops in the drainage tubing and the mean residual volume was 136ml (range 22ml to 237ml) of the urine drainage systems contained dependent loops in the drainage tubing (p<0.05)
