Adecuación del uso de absorbentes de incontinencia urinaria en pacientes adultos ingresados en un hospital / Appropriateness of the use of incontinence absorbent products in hospitalized adults

INTRODUCCIÓN: La utilización inapropiada de absorbentes de incontinencia en adultos puede afectar negativamente a la autoestima, calidad de vida, e independencia del paciente, así como aumentar la carga de trabajo y provocar eventos adversos. Existen pocos estudios que valoren la adecuación del uso del pañal utilizando escalas validadas para ello, ni la justificación de las enfermeras para su uso en personas mayores hospitalizadas. OBJETIVO: Determinar la frecuencia de uso de pañal en pacientes ingresados en un centro hospitalario así como identificar los criterios que determinaron su uso y el grado de adecuación. MÉTODO: Estudio observacional, transversal sobre pacientes adultos que utilizaban pañal estando ingresados en unidades de hospitalización. Para la recogida de datos se realizó un corte de un día en abril de 2013, recogiendo datos de los registros de valoración de enfermería y de los propios pacientes y familia. Se utilizaron como criterios de adecuación los ítems del Índice de Barthel referentes a movilidad y eliminación. RESULTADOS: De los 228 pacientes ingresados 83 (34,4%) llevaban pañal y de ellos 25 (30,1%) no tenían criterios para su uso. El 28,8% (21) no utilizaba pañal previamente al ingreso siendo en la mitad de ellos inadecuado su uso. Los factores asociados al uso inadecuado de pañal fueron mayor edad, sexo femenino, más comobilidad y días de ingreso. CONCLUSIÓN: Los resultados de este estudio ponen de manifiesto la excesiva frecuencia con la que se utilizan los absorbentes de incontinencia de forma inadecuada sin que su uso se base en criterios validados

BACKGROUNDS: Improper use of incontinence absorbent products in adults can negatively affect self-esteem, quality of life and independence of the patient, as well as increase the workload and cause adverse events. There are few studies evaluating the appropriateness of diapers using validated scales for it, or the justification of nurses for its use in elderly who are hospitalized. · To determine the frequency of diaper use in patients admitted to a hospital and to identify the criteria that determined their use and adequacy. · Observational, cross-sectional study of adult patients using diapers while admitted in Inpatient Units. For data collection cut day was held in April 2013, collecting data from nursing assessment records, patients themselves and their family. Barthel Index items were used as criteria of adequacy concerning mobility and disposal. Results: 228 patients admitted. 83 (34.4%) of them had diapers and 25 (30.1%) of them had no criteria for using them. 28.8% (21) had not previously used diapers, the use of diapers in half of them was inappropriate. Factors associated with inappropriate use of diapers were older age, being female, more comorbidity and days of hospitalization. · The results of this study show the often excessive use of incontinence absorbent products without proper appplication, not based on validated criteria

[Appropriateness of the use of incontinence absorbent products in hospitalized adults]. / Adecuación del uso de absorbentes de incontinencia urinaria en pacientes adultos ingresados en un hospital.

BACKGROUNDS: Improper use of incontinence absorbent products in adults can negatively affect self-esteem, quality of life and independence of the patient, as well as increase the workload and cause adverse events. There are few studies evaluating the appropriateness of diapers using validated scales for it, or the justification of nurses for its use in elderly who are hospitalized. OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of diaper use in patients admitted to a hospital and to identify the criteria that determined their use and adequacy. METHOD: Observational, cross-sectional study of adult patients using diapers while admitted in Inpatient Units. For data collection cut day was held in April 2013, collecting data from nursing assessment records, patients themselves and their family. Barthel Index items were used as criteria of adequacy concerning mobility and disposal. RESULTS: 228 patients admitted. 83 (34.4%) of them had diapers and 25 (30.1%) of them had no criteria for using them. 28.8% (21) had not previously used diapers, the use of diapers in half of them was inappropriate. Factors associated with inappropriate use of diapers were older age, being female, more comorbidity and days of hospitalization. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show the often excessive use of incontinence absorbent products without proper application, not based on validated criteria.