Bladder catheterization in Greek nursing education: An audit of the skills taught.

INTRODUCTION: The auditing of nurse teaching is in its infancy in Greece. One area urgently in need of audit is the teaching of male catheterization.

AIMS: To assess the current educational model regarding male bladder catheterization at a sole tertiary education nursing establishment in a major Greek city and to improve nurse undergraduate training by implementing appropriate recommendations for change to the current educational module and support these changes in the long term.

METHODS: A systematic search of international databases for guidelines or best practice regarding bladder catheterization was conducted. Audit measures included direct observation of the teaching process and compilation of a checklist.

RESULTS: The shortcomings are discussed under the following headings: patient pre-preparation, choice and quality of materials used, appropriate aseptic techniques, catheter withdrawal, connecting and handling the drainage bag, diminishing risk of Catheter Associated Urinary Track Infections (CAUTIs), no problem solving trouble-shooting training, textbook and educational resources, lack of national guidelines, setting of the educational experience.

CONCLUSIONS: The main problem with the teaching process exposed by the audit is entrenched use of an outmoded textbook with little effort to enrich teaching with current evidence base practices.