A pilot study of self-monitoring urine flow in people with long-term urinary catheters.

Self-monitoring of urine flow may be beneficial in preventing catheter-related problems. An intervention was pilot tested using a single group design with 11 individuals over 6 months. Feasibility of the intervention, performance of new measures (awareness, self-monitoring, and self- management of urine flow), and health outcomes were assessed. The intervention was well received by participants, none of whom withdrew voluntarily from the study. All data were collected at intake, and bimonthly at 2, 4, and 6 months. Nine of 11 participants reported that the intervention had helped them to pay attention to fluid intake. Episodes of UTI decreased over the course of the intervention, with the greatest drop between 2 and 4 months. (c) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.