Effect of time of day for urinary catheter removal on voiding behaviors in stroke patients.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of urinary catheter removal at 7:00 a.m. with removal at 10:00 p.m. on (a) the length of time to first void after catheter removal, (b) the amount of the first void, (c) post-void-residual urine, and (d) the number of subjects requiring re-catheterization.

METHODS

A randomized, comparative design was used. Stroke patients, over the age of 18 years, admitted to a stroke unit, were approached about study participation. Forty-five subjects were enrolled: 26 in Group A (10:00 p.m. removal) and 19 in Group B (7:00 a.m. removal). Groups were compared using t-tests and Chi-square.

FINDINGS: No significant differences were identified between the two groups with regard to time to void, volume of first void, post-void residual urine, or the number of subjects requiring recatheterization.