Catheter care : knowledge and care practices in the community

Abstract

This study explored the amount and quality of the information given to incontinent elderly patients living in the community with a long-term indwelling catheter. This was done by gathering information with regard to the present catheter care practices among the elderly within the community. No previous studies of this nature had been undertaken in Malta. The ever increasing elderly population could possibly lead to an increase in the number of those who are catheterised and living in the community. Information about the knowledge on catheter care was therefore considered to be relevant and served as motivation to this study. The literature review focused on catheter care and information giving with regard to catheterisation. Data collection was done using semi-structured interviews. Ten catheterised patients were interviewed in their own homes. All subjects were found through the local domiciliary nursing services and came from the geographical south of Malta. The results indicated that there were discrepancies in the level of information regarding catheter care while written information was found to be completely lacking.