Authors: (including presenting author): :
CHUNG YY(1), WONG SWA (1), LEUNG LM(2)
Affiliation: :
(1) KEC Continence Care Services, Nursing Services Division
(2) Nursing Services Division, United Christian Hospital
Keyword 1: :
Multidisciplinary Collaboration
Keyword 2: :
Early assessment and intervention
Keyword 3: :
Role of continence nurse
Keyword 4: :
comprehensive assessment
Keyword 5: :
significant improvement in pre and post visit questionnaire
Keyword 6: :
program's effectiveness in improving outcomes and empowering patients.
Introduction: :
Continence care is essential for individuals of all ages. Incontinence can lead to significant physical, psychological, and social challenges. The primary role of a continence nurse is to manage urinary and bowel issues, thereby enhancing the overall quality of life. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, continence nurses effectively address these complex needs.
Objectives: :
Early assessment and intervention can:
1.Reduce complications associated with incontinence, such as incontinence-associated dermatitis and urinary tract infections.
2.Decrease unnecessary hospital admissions.
3.Optimize healthcare resources.
4.Restore patients' dignity.
5.Empower patients to engage in self-management.
Methodology: :
The KEC Continence Nurse collaborates with the Departments of Paediatrics, Orthopedics, Accident & Emergency, Urology, Urogynaecology, Medicine, and Geriatrics. Specialty teams refer patients with urinary or bowel issues to the continence nurse, who schedules appointments within eight weeks.
During the initial visit, the continence nurse conducts a thorough assessment and may request laboratory tests or simple investigations. New patients complete three questionnaires about bladder problems during their first visit, follow-up visit, and last visit. The specialty team reviews lab results and contacts patients regarding any abnormal findings. Tailored nursing care is provided at each visit, and cases are closed if symptoms improve or if patients are referred back to specialty services.
Result & Outcome: :
In 2024, 913 new cases were referred to the UCH Continence Team, resulting in 1,802 follow-ups. All patients, except those with a Foley catheter in place (N = 607), completed the required questionnaires.
Pre-treatment (first visit) and post-treatment (last visit) outcomes in 2024 showed significant improvement: N = 280
•International Prostate Symptom Score improved by 43.1%, and Quality of Life (QoL) improved by 41.1%.
•ICIQ-UI score (Question 2: urine leakage) improved by 41.1%.
•OAB-V8 score improved by 47.35% The collaboration between the KEC Continence Nurse and specialty departments underscores the importance of early intervention in managing urinary and bowel issues. The results highlight the program's effectiveness in improving outcomes and empowering patients. Continuous multidisciplinary collaboration and patient feedback are essential for enhancing care quality and addressing emerging challenges in continence management
