Clinical Practice
Look to SUNA for the latest in clinical practice guidelines, findings, and evidence-based research for the urologic nursing community
This clinical consensus statement (CCS) on vaginal pessary use and management for POP reflects statements drafted by content experts from the American Urogynecologic Society and Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates. The purpose of this CCS is to identify areas of expert consensus and non-consensus regarding pessary fitting, follow-up, and management of pessary complications to improve the safety and quality of care where evidence is currently limited.
SUNA Suprapubic Catheter Task Force has developed a White Paper on Management of Patients after Suprapubic Catheter Insertion. This white paper provides recommendations based on expert opinion and the scarce evidence relative to suprapubic catheter care after the initial post-insertion change. Special thank you to the following task force members: Susanne A. Quallich, PhD, ANP-BC, NP-C, CUNP, FAUNA, FAANP; Todd Thompson, MSN, RN; Jodi Jameson, MLIS, AHIP; Katie Wall, MSN, FNP-C; Michelle J. Lajiness, DNP, FNP-BC, FAUNA; Gina Powley, MSN, ANP-BC, FAUNA; Anthony R. Lutz, MSN, NP-C, CUNP; and Jean Hemphill, PhD, MSN, FNP-BC.
SUNA joined the American Association for Homecare; United Spinal Association; Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society; and Wound Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board to develop a white paper to educate payers and state Medicaid programs on the types of intermittent catheter products and services needed to successfully manage an individual’s urinary retention needs in a home-based setting to improve patient experience, health outcomes, and reduce overall cost. Entitled The Critical Need to Provide Intermittent Catheter Urological Supplies Specific to Patient Need to Improve Health Outcomes, the white paper addresses the variables going into managing each person’s urinary retention needs, the role of the home medical equipment provider, the risks of improper management, the challenges of limited HCPCs codes for a variety of products, and the value of managing urinary needs with sustainable reimbursement.
The following resources were first published in the March/April 2021 issue of Urologic Nursing. Click on the title to download the resource.
Clinical Practice Procedures
- Urinary Catheterization of the Adult Female
- Urinary Catheterization of the Adult Male
- Insertion of an Indwelling Urethral Catheter in the Adult Female
- Insertion of an Indwelling Urethral Catheter in the Adult Male
Teaching Tools
SUNA collaborated with the American Urological Association on the development of three white papers on optimizing outcomes for patients before, during, and following urologic surgery:
- Optimizing Outcomes in Urological Surgery: Pre-Operative Care for the Patient Undergoing Urologic Surgery or Procedure
- Optimizing Outcomes in Urologic Surgery: Intraoperative Considerations
- Optimizing Outcomes in Urologic Surgery: Postoperative
Thank you to the following SUNA members who served as workgroup members or peer reviewers: Frances Foley, MHA, RN, CURN; Gwendolyn Hooper, PhD, APRN, CUNP; Michelle Lajiness, NP; Christopher Tucci, MS, RN, BC, CURN; Charlene Vollmer, BSN, RN-BC; and Glenda Wilkinson, BS, RN, CURN, CRLS, MLSO.
The Prostate Cancer Patient Guide is a comprehensive resource on diagnosis, treatment, side effects, and risk factors for patients and families with a history of prostate cancer. Developed by the Prostate Cancer Foundation, the guide is designed for any man newly diagnosed with or in treatment for prostate cancer, and for family members seeking information about prostate cancer patient navigation as well as their own short- and long-term risks factors for prostate cancer.
The Flexible Cystoscopy: Training & Assessment Guideline and Flexible Cystoscopy: Performance Criteria, Training & Assessment Logbook have become the universal training package in using a flexible cystoscope. Created by our British colleagues, the British Association of Urological Nurses (BAUN) and the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS), these free evidence-based guidelines are available for download on the BAUS website.
Recognizing that nurse practitioners and physician assistants play a key role in team-based delivery of care, the American Urological Association has developed a Consensus Statement on Advanced Practice Providers. The Consensus Statement examines advanced practice provider integration from a regulatory and practice management approach. The Consensus Statement was developed by a workgroup featuring a diverse set of urologic providers, including physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Susanne Quallich, ANP-BC, NP-C CUNP, FAANP, represented SUNA on the workgroup.
The American Urological Association (AUA) has developed a White Paper on Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections: Definitions and Significance in the Urologic Patient. A white paper workgroup organized by the Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Committee and led by Dr. Timothy Averch drafted the paper, which was approved by the AUA Board of Directors in October 2014. Diane K. Newman, DNP, FAAN, BCB-PMD, represented SUNA on the workgroup.
The workgroup noted that while health care in general has increased its focus on catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) prevention and the inappropriate use of catheters, much of this attention does not apply to urologic patients. Therefore, the white paper delves in to this particular area and also provides pertinent definitions pertaining to CAUTIs.