Use of Urinary Collection Devices in Community and Nursing Homes in Istria County

Abstract

Introduction: This study is aimed at assessing the use of various types of urinary catheters, appropriateness of catheter placement and factors associated with antibiotic use in a population of chronically catheterized patients in Istria County. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study, conducted between March and June 2017 in Istria County, Croatia, was initiated through a network of general family medicine offices. Data were collected from general practitioners (GPs) and from medical managers in nursing homes. Participants were asked to review medical records of their patients and to complete a 10-item questionnaire designed to retrieve information on patients with urinary catheter. Results: All GPs in the county were surveyed. We identified 309 patients with urinary catheter: 216 men (70%) and 93 women (30%). The overall prevalence of individuals with urinary catheters was 0.18%: 4.7% in nursing home population and 0.1% among non-institutionalized adult population. Most common indication for catheterization was chronic urinary retention (52%). One hundred eighty-six patients (60.4%) reported antibiotic usage in the previous 3 months for treating urinary infection. Conclusions: In Istria County, the prevalence of indwelling urinary catheters is highest in males, especially among patients in nursing homes. There is a need for focused education among GPs regarding urinary catheter maintenance and antibiotic prescription for suspected urinary tract infections.

Use of indwelling urinary catheters in nursing home residents: results from a cross-sectional study in 21 German nursing homes

“…For instance, the catheter prevalence in nursing home residents varies in Europe from 0.8% in Lithuania to 19.4% in Poland [43], whereby the proportion of nursing home residents among all older people is 10.3% and 0.8% in these two countries [44]. Finally, our findings may not be generalizable to the general population of community dwelling individuals or home care recipients because in these population groups catheter prevalence is lower than in the nursing home setting [12,13].…”

“…In nursing homes, many residents have indications for indwelling urinary catheters and the catheter prevalence is higher than in the general population [12] or among home care recipients [13]. In a recent systematic review including 67 studies, the catheter prevalence in nursing home residents ranged from 2.2 to 36.4%, with a median of 7.3% [14].…”