Catheter blockage in community patients.

Research has shown that over 50 per cent of long-term catheterised patients experience recurrent blockage. For patients in the community this presents particular problems but also places increased demand on resources and nursing time. Kathryn Getliffe describes the findings of a project which examined a number of issues relating to catheter blockage in patients at home. The efficiency of nursing services can, she argues, be enhanced by effective individualised care planning.