Fit For Purpose: A Continence Wear Clinical Audit

Background Incontinence is a common condition in the older adult that can cause a number of negative effects on a person's life, such as, reduced mobility, skin integrity, increased frailty, reliance on continence wear and an overall decrease in quality of life. The aim of this audit was to assess the use of continence wear in patients aged 65+ years in an inpatient medical cohort within a model 4 teaching hospital against HSE guidelines of continence in adults. Methods Data was collected on patient’s ≥65 years on a number of wards in a model 4 teaching hospital over a month. Pre-admission use of continence wear, current use of continence wear, mobility and patients views of continence wear were recorded. Results N = 76: 39 male (51.3%) and 37 females (48.6%). 12 (15.8%) of 76 patients were incontinent prior to admission to hospital, however, 41 (54%) patients were wearing continence wear at the time of the audit. Of the 64 (84.2%) patients who were not incontinent at admission but using continence wear, 22 (34.4%) felt they needed continence products as an inpatient. Over 50% of patients were not aware of more appropriate continence wear products that were available. Conclusion Throughout the audit, there was an emerging theme of patient’s acceptance of using continence wear during their admission to hospital. Empowering continence confidence in patients is necessary in order to reduce adverse outcomes. Interdisciplinary staff education, a review of assessment documentation and a review of the current continence assessment is recommended in order to ensure appropriate use of continence wear in the hospitalised older adult. Reference 1. Health Service Executive. Guideline for the assessment, promotion and management of continence in adults by registered nurses. Dublin: HSE, 2020, Available at: https://assets.hse.ie/media/documents/ncr/guideline-assessment-promotion-and-management-of-continence-in-adults.pdf [Accessed 13th May 2025].