Removal of catheter at midnight versus early morning: the patients' perspective

Abstract

Background: With an increasing role of the patient as a partner in making a combined decision in care plan goals, it is important to identify the patient's perspective of the experience of removal of catheter (ROC).

Methods: A non-consecutive prospective randomized study was performed in 84 patients who underwent a transurethral resection of the prostate to determine the impact of midnight versus early-morning ROC on sleep deprivation, over all discomfort to the patient.

Results: There was no difference in the patient experience in both groups. We found a reduced frequency during the first 6 h of ROC at midnight. However, there was an increased incidence of sleep disturbances in this group. This may in part be due to an anxiety of urge incontinence and may be allayed by appropriate counselling. There was no delay in discharge of the patients in both groups.

Conclusion: The patients must, therefore, be given the choice of ROC either at midnight or early morning, as the advantages of a reduced frequency must be correlated with an increased incidence of sleep disturbances.