MANAGING URINARY INCONTINENCE IN NURSING HOMES BY NURSING ASSISTANTS: A SURVEY

A questionnaire was administered to assistants in nursing identifying their current practices in managing urinary incontinence. The questionnaire also explored how and through whom assistants in nursing acquired knowledge regarding management of urinary incontinence. It was found that toileting regimes were carried out by 76% of the respondents with second hourly toileting being the most common practice. Significantly 24% of the respondents did not routinely practice some form of toileting. A little over half of the respondents mentioned changing and washing the incontinent resident and just 16% included psychological support in their current practices. While teaching took place primarily on the job, significantly it was found that 30% were required to provide care to incontinent residents without receiving any prior instruction. These results highlight the need for a review of current nursing practices along with further investigation into educational programs for assistants in nursing with the view to increasing the assessment and psychological support elements of such programs.