BERKELEY, CA (UroToday.com) - Despite the lack of evidence, it has always been assumed that the “no touch” catheterization system decreases the risk for infection and increases comfort for caregivers (nurses and nurse students) performing catheterization. This was a crossover, experimental study, from Belgium, that examined the advantages of two different methods of intermittent catheterization (IC): sterile with a catheterization set (not pre-lubricated) versus “no touch” method (pre-lubricated) performed by acute-care nurses and nursing students. Nurse participants were selected by means of convenience sample, and data was obtained in 2009. For the intervention, participants catheterized models in a simulation-model skills lab. Simulation labs are a popular way to educate medical and nursing students.
A total of 171 nurses (87.6% were females) participated in the study. The results of the study indicated that the “no touch” IC method was preferred by both nurses and students. This method was significantly better in terms of the number of sterility errors, duration, and comfort to the caregiver. This appears to be the first study to assess IC method preference of nurses performing the procedure. It is felt that the “no touch” method with a “no touch” sleeve may cause less catheter contamination. and thus lower the risk for infection. This study was carried out in a controlled setting -- a skills lab and on stimulation models -- and needs to be replicated in real-life circumstances, on actual patients, to determine if findings have clinical relevance.
Goessaert AS, Antoons S, Van Den Driessche M, Tourchi A, Pieters R, Everaert K
Reference: J Adv Nurs. 2012 Dec 23. (Epub ahead of print)
Reference:doi: 10.1111/jan.12062
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 23278907
Written by Diane K. Newman, DNP, FAAN, BCB-PMD
