Emptying catheter bags - a review of practice

Abstract

The rationale for carrying out this study was to investigate nurses' practice in emptying catheter bags in order to determine whether the appropriate procedure was being adhered to. Literature reviewed suggested that there is an association between "catheter care" and urinary tract infections, particularly so in elderly patients. A semi-structured interview and an observation checklist were devised as research tools for use in a pilot study which was carried out in the research setting, a long-stay residence for elderly people in Malta. The research subjects being five registered nurses, six enrolled nurses, and five health assistants. The pilot study suggested that the observation checklist was a valid and reliable tool; whereas, the semi-structured interview proved inadequate in terms of reliability and validity, especially content validity due to misinterpretation of the questions asked with health assistants. In view of this, in the main study only qualified nurses, that is registered nurses and enrolled nurses will be used. The main study will utilise a population of 70 qualified nurses, with the observation checklist and a structured interview in order to narrow the focus of how the procedure is carried out.