Advancing quality of urinary incontinence evaluation and treatment in nursing homes through translational research

Abstract

Aim: This article presents the development of ongoing research to improve the evaluation and treatment of urinary incontinence (UI) in nursing homes through "A Model for Use of the Urinary Incontinence Guideline in US Nursing Homes" under the initiative Translating Research into Practice (TRIP II).

Background: The previous research provided the definition of the clinical practices needing improvement, the relative size of the population needing care, and an estimate of the manpower required. The model proposed nurse practitioners (NPs) as consultants to nursing homes to perform the basic incontinence evaluation and treatment, thereby (1) improving incontinence evaluation and treatment, (2) reducing UI, (3) reducing complications, and (4) increasing cost savings attributable to UI.

Approach: A quasi-experimental research design with pre- and post-comparison was selected utilizing four control and four experimental NP caseloads followed for 16 weeks post-onset (n = 320).

Findings: Findings are not yet available from this study, which is ongoing.

Discussion: The real-world challenges presented by this translational research and their solutions are discussed.