A team approach to managing urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence (UI) affects at least 50% of long-term care residents. With most care being delivered by nursing assistants, a need exists to educate and include these team members when implementing a UI management program. This article describes a pilot program instituted at Tacoma Lutheran Home using a team approach. In addition to the benefits the residents received, 27% of the staff thought incontinence was easier to manage after the program was implemented, and 50% said someone in administration listened to their suggestions and took action. The coordinator thought the program's weaknesses were that the staff required consistent supervision to accomplish tasks in a timely manner and it was extremely time-consuming in addition to the other duties of employee health and staff development.