PEH departments recognised for their innovative practice
AN INNOVATIVE practice used by the emergency and urology departments at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital received recognition at a national awards ceremony.
For six years, the two departments have been researching and collecting data to find an alternative to indwelling catheters which reside in the bladder for up to three weeks and can cause infection, pain and discomfort.
The emergency department, through guidance of the urology department, now trains staff to teach patients for whom the technique is suitable how to insert a one-use self-managing catheter themselves for immediate pressure relief in the bladder.
‘We’ve been doing this for a couple of years now and research has shown that two-thirds of patients do not need to do it more than once. We give them advice and a follow-up with the urology department but often their problem is solved by the time they’re home that same day,’ said emergency department manager Becky Cooper.
Because it covered three areas, the initiative picked up three of the 20 available awards: continence promotion and care, emergency and critical care and infection prevention and control.
Consultant clinical nurse specialist for urology Patricia McDermott said now only 20% of patients need indwelling catheters.
‘It has increased patient satisfaction and dignity, reducing infections and discomfort.’
Specialist nurse of urology Steve Munday explained how many patients are now dealt with in a single day, as opposed to the three weeks they previously might have spent with an indwelling catheter and a bag of urine attached to their leg.
‘People sometimes come in holding in a litre of urine. They can be in so much pain and this tool can alleviate that pressure quickly and simply.’
The three spoke with pride about how the team achieved the patient-focused initiative and were recognised at the Nursing Times Awards, which is often referred to as the Oscars of nursing.
The judging panel of nursing professionals from across the UK had never heard of this innovation being done.
Mrs McDermott said: ‘We are a small hospital in a small island and winning these three awards has shown that the work we do is really leading the way in nursing.’
The team have been asked to present at various conferences and publish their research in journals to share the initiative and help others in the nursing profession.
