A Review of Patient Continence and Related Staff Knowledge on Specialist Geriatric Wards

Background Incontinence is a common and troublesome feature of frailty (NCPOP 2012), routinely examined in a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). It can impact on life quality, mobility, falls and overall care needs. Patients often develop incontinence during hospital admission and staff knowledge of continence status (CS) and efforts to drive improvements are often poor. We sought to explore these issues on our wards. Methods We conducted a point prevalence study, reviewed medical charts and interviewed ward nurses on three specialist geriatric wards. Patients >65y over a six-week period were included. We developed a proforma and recorded current and pre-admission CS, and use of continence wear. Nursing staff awareness of CS was also explored. Results 104 patients (57% female, mean age 81y) were included. Overall, 34 (32.7%) had urinary incontinence (UI), of whom 22 (64%) developed new UI since admission. 27 (25.7%) patients had a urinary catheter inserted, most (23; 85%) for short-term use. Almost half (46; 44.2%) had faecal incontinence (FI), of which 74% was new FI since admission. Overall, 19 patients (18%) were doubly incontinent. Continence wear was also reviewed; 57 (54%) were in full wrap-around continence wear, 28 (27%) in pull-ups. 26 (25%) wore continence wear despite being continent. Only 28 (27%) had a call bell within reach. Nursing awareness was examined, 85 nurses (81.7%) were aware of their patient’s CS, and 15 (14.4%) were partially aware. In all cases, nursing handover documents were consulted. For 35 patients, (33%) CS impacted on their discharge plan. Conclusion Rates of UI and FI were high in our cohort and further increased during hospital admission. Staff knowledge was satisfactory but suboptimal efforts were made to improve CS. Consequently, an education session was delivered to clinical staff to embed continence assessment into CGA. Additionally, continence advocates have been appointed to each ward.