Learning Objective #1: lower the risk of indwelling urinary catheter dislodgement

Learning Objective #2: reduce the risk of patient having tissue trauma and inflammation resulting from the repeated catheter movement within the urethra

---

Stabilizing indwelling urinary catheter is very important as it will help to reduce adverse events such as dislodgement as well as tissue trauma and inflammation induced by excessive traction of the tubing or the drainage bag. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the key-hole taping method on patients with indwelling catheter on the lower abdomen.This comparative study was conducted from February to March 2004 in the Department of Urology. 30 patients were randomized based on 1:1 treatment allocation either into conventional taping method group or key-hole taping method group. Approval for the study was obtained from the SGH Ethics Committee.There was a significant difference in the loosening of the tape between the key-hole and the conventional taping methods. All the patients who used the key-hole method did not experience any loosed tape. The rating level of comfort for patients who were on key-hole taping method was also significantly higher than patients who were on conventional method. After adjusting for gender, number of time walks, sat out of bed and tape contact with water, patients in the key-hole method group rated their level of comfort as 2.19 units higher than the conventional groupThis study showed that there was statistically significant difference between the key-hole taping and the conventional taping methods. The result of the study supported the use of key-hole taping which had enabled the catheter to be stabilized more securely in the ambulant patient with indwelling urinary catheter on the lower abdomen. The study suggested that key-hole taping has the advantage of avoiding the catheter being dropped off easily. Hence, this may, therefore, allow the patient to rest more comfortably and without unduly disturbed. However, as this was a pilot study, the result of this study may serve as a baseline for future comparison.