The International Continence Society (ICS) survey on intermittent catheterization and global practices with regard to the reuse of catheters

Abstract

Objective:: To survey members of the International Continence Society (ICS) for exploring global differences in practices with regard to intermittent catheterization (IC) and reuse of catheters in the neuro-urological patient. A project of the Neuro-Urology Promotion Committee (NUPC) of the ICS. Methods:: Cross-sectional survey of ICS members using the SurveyMonkey platform. Initial survey preparation, revisions, pilot, and finalization were performed within the NUPC. Opt-in survey emailed to all members by the ICS office. Foundation questions ascertained type of clinical practice, health care system, and country of residence which was stratified by World Bank criteria as ‘high-income group, HIG’ or ‘not high-income group, non-HIG’ for analysis. Several questions addressed the reuse of catheters and related practices. Survey results were analyzed using R (version 3.1.3) statistical analysis (p-value 90 times, and till visible deterioration in 25.0%, 25.8%, 15.8%, 7.5%, 5.0%, 5.0%, and 15.8%, respectively. Conclusion:: Reuse of catheters by patients on IC was not restricted to less affluent countries. There were wide variations in every aspect of the IC protocol. These issues are critical to patients, communities, and the environment and urgently require research.

Keywords

• Neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction
• Intermittent catheterization
• International Continence Society
• Reuse of urinary catheters
• Global health practices
• Clinical practice survey