Bladder Ultrasound Health Article

Health care team roles

In the acute care setting, the nurse and physician are responsible for monitoring urine output in postoperative patients. In the long-term care and rehabilitation settings, the primary responsibility for monitoring urine output and/or bladder function lies with the nursing staff. Device manufacturer representatives provide in-service training to nursing staff on using the bladder ultrasound scanner. Clinical and nurse managers may also implement bladder scanning protocols and results and outcomes tracking, particularly when bladder ultrasound replaces intermittent catheterization protocols with the goal of reducing catheterization-related costs and infections.

KEY TERMS

Post-void residual volume—The amount of urine remaining in the patient's bladder after voiding.

Transducer—The part in the ultrasound scanning head that transmits acoustic energy and converts it into electrical energy to produce image data.

Ultrasonography—An imaging modality that uses sound waves to produce anatomical images and measurements.

PERIODICALS

Phillips, JoAnne K. "Integrating Bladder Ultrasound into a Urinary Tract Infection-Reduction Project." American Journal of Nursing 100, no. 3 (March 2000, Supplement).<http://www.nursingcenter.com/ce>.

Smith, Diane A. "Gauging Bladder Volume without a Catheter." Nursing 29, no. 12 (December 1999):52-3. <http://www.springnet.com>.

Sulzbach-Hoke, Linda M.; Schanne, Linda C. "Using a Portable Ultrasound Bladder Scanner in the Cardiac Care Unit." Critical Care Nurse 19, no. 6 (December 1999):35-9.

Warner, Amy J.; Phillips, Susan; Riske, Karin; Haubert, Mari-Kay; Lash, Nancy. "Postoperative Bladder Distention: Measurement with Bladder Ultrasonography." Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing 15, no. 1 (February 2000):20-5.

Wooldridge, Leslie. "Ultrasound Technology and Bladder Dysfunction." American Journal of Nursing 100, no. 6 (June 2000, Supplement). <http://www.nursingcenter.com/ce>.

ORGANIZATIONS

American Urological Association. 1120 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. (410) 727-1100. <http://www.auanet.org>.

Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates. East Holly Avenue Box 56, Pitman, NJ 08071-0056. (856) 256-2335. <http://suna.inurse.com>.

OTHER

Neitzel, Jennifer; Frederickson, Martha; Miller, Elaine Hogan; Cassibo, Lori. The Effects of Bedside Ultrasound Assessment of Bladder Volume vs. Intermittent Catheterization on Postoperative Patient Outcomes. University of Iowa College of Nursing Gerontological Nursing Interventions Research Center. <http://www.nursing.uiowa.edu/gnirc/6thabstracts/ru99-b2.htm>.

Jennifer E. Sisk, M.A.