Bladder scan

Q: Bedside portable ultrasound units for urinary bladder (BladderScan®️) are very sensitive to estimate residual urinary volume?

A) True
B) False


Answer: A

Unfortunately, many ICU patients continue to have urinary catheters despite no actual indication leading to high Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTIs). Ideally, a patient should be allowed to void. If there is a suspicion of retained urine in the bladder, portable ultrasound units can be very sensitive to estimate residual volume greater than 50 mL in most of the patients. This may help in deciding the volume status of patients and can help in avoiding improper insertions of urinary catheters.

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#infectious-diseases


References:

1. Holroyd-Leduc JM, Sands LP, Counsell SR, et al. Risk factors for indwelling urinary catheterization among older hospitalized patients without a specific medical indication for catheterization. J Patient Saf 2005; 1:201. 

2. Fuse H, Yokoyama T, Muraishi Y, Katayama T. Measurement of residual urine volume using a portable ultrasound instrument. Int Urol Nephrol 1996; 28:633.