Use of bladder washouts: a study of nurses' recommendations

The performance of intermittent bladder washouts by nurses for patients with long‐term indwellmg urethral catheters forms a frequent aspect of nursing practice This study has interviewed 106 hospitai and distnct nurses to establish their recommendations conceming the use of intermittent bladder washouts Information collected comprised when a bladder washout should be performed, its frequency, the solutions to be used and the rationale for its prescnption It was concluded that nurses' recommendations were not always correct or consistent, and that there is a need for further educahon regardmg the use of bladder washouts so that recommendations are based upon saentific evidence The imphcations of the findings for nursing practice and the need for fundamental research are discussed