Enhancing Urinary Catheter Skills Among Clinically Practicing Nurses

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) contribute to increased patient length of stay and health care costs. The literature has shown that one plausible cause of CAUTIs is improper Foley catheter insertion techniques among nurses. The purpose of this project was to answer the project-focused question that asked if there was a difference in nurses\u27 practice skills following an educational intervention involving aseptic Foley insertion. Benner\u27s novice-to-expert theory was the conceptual model for the study. Nurses from a college nursing program were asked to demonstrate Foley catheter insertion on a simulation model, and their technique was evaluated using a standardized checklist. Following the simulation demonstration, an educational intervention was conducted with ample opportunity for the nurses (n = 16) to practice catheter insertion. Following the practice opportunity, the nurses completed a 2nd return demonstration. Percentages of correct skills from the preintervention observation were compared with percentages of correct skills from the postintervention observation to determine the effectiveness of the education intervention in enhancing Foley catheter skills in an acute care setting. Results of a paired t test revealed a significant increase (p \u3c .01) in performance scores on the demonstrations after the intervention and catheter insertion techniques were taught. Hospitals and nursing education programs could implement simulation interventions to improve nurses\u27 Foley catheter insertion skills. This study has the potential to contribute to social change by providing evidence that simulation training can lead to improved competence and confidence with nursing skills