Continence problems in children can be very disabling for both the child and their families/carers. The need to have an indwelling catheter can be inconvenient and, even, traumatising for the child. There is also a social stigma associated with incontinence, continence care and catheters, which should not be underestimated. This article discusses how healthcare professionals can help children and families and thereby reduce the burden, both emotional and physical, of living with a catheter and then introduces a new range of leg bags that have been designed specifically with children in mind.
The prevalence of incontinence is significant in care settings. However, care is often focussed on containing the problem rather than establishing and treating the underlying cause. In order to assess the appropriateness of product usage, and therefore give an indication of quality of continence care within our organisation, we undertook a review. This article, a previous entry in the JCN Writing Awards, describes the methodology and results and identified areas for practice improvement.
Tendayi Masuko, Bsc. Hons. Health and Social Care, BSc Hons. Specialist Practitioner/ District Nursing, Dip. Higher Education (RGN), PG Cert. Dev. Mgt, Nurse Independent/Supplementary Prescriber. Continence Nurse Specialist, Project lead, Lewisham Healthcare NHS Trust
