Evaluating possible improvements in indwelling urinary catheter insertion from nurses' point of view: A pilot comparative study of simulated insertion between the novel T‐Control® and a Foley‐type catheter

Abstract

AbstractThe aims of this study are to simulate the insertion of the new T‐Control® urinary catheter with experienced healthcare professionals in bladder catheterisation and evaluate the usability and functionality of the new catheter compared to conventional Foley‐type catheter open and closed systems. A small‐scale quantitative study was conducted with 11 professionals who had a minimum of 3 years of professional experience, and 1 year of experience in bladder catheterisation. To test the advantages of the new T‐Control® urinary catheter, a Living Lab, which is an instrument designed to test innovative solutions in real‐life environments with users, was performed. The catheters used in the simulation were: a conventional Foley‐type catheter in an open system, a conventional Foley‐type catheter in a closed system, and the new T‐Control® catheter. The participants evaluated the insertions through a satisfaction questionnaire and by a nurse expert utilizing a usability questionnaire after the complete visualization of the Living Lab was recorded. T‐Control® reduced by 27.3% the contamination of the urine collection bag and the contamination of the urine collection bag connector. Accidental spillages when connecting the urine collection bag were also reduced by 54.5% using the T‐Control® catheter, reducing the workload and reducing occupational accidents before connecting the urine bag. The trainer considered satisfactory 9/12 T‐Control® insertions performed, improving the number of satisfactory insertions observed with the Foley‐type catheter open and closed systems (with 3/12 and 7/12 results respectively). T‐Control® was the best‐rated product by the participants, requiring less time, and physical and mental effort. Fifty percent of the nurses would exclusively recommend T‐Control® in their units, while the other half would recommend it in combination with others. The insertion of T‐Control® makes the bladder catheterisation procedure easier and safer. The preparation of the sterile field requires less material since it does not include the urine collection bag while the fluid‐controlling system favours the reduction of contamination and accidental spillages. Based on the nurses’ evaluation, T‐Control® with its integrated urine‐controlling system could bring additional benefits to the healthcare staff for catheterisation.