Gender differences in inappropriate use of urinary catheters among hospitalized older patients

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the incidence, rationales, and associated factors of inappropriate urinary catheter use among hospitalized older patients by gender. A longitudinal study of 321 patients with urinary catheter was conducted. Demographic factors, present health factors, urinary catheter factors, and indications of catheter use were collected. A total of 53.7% of urinary catheter-days were inappropriate. For both men and women, there was no significant difference in the incidence and common rationales of inappropriate use. Women, however, have another associated factor with inappropriate use. More tailored alternatives are needed for women to increase comfort to avoid inappropriate catheter use.

KEYWORDS:

• Aged
• gender
• urinary catheters

Conflicts of interest

All of the authors declare no potential conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This research was, in part, supported by the Ministry of Education, Taiwan, R.O.C., The Aim for the Top University Project to National Cheng Kung University (NCKU).