Routine clean intermittent self-catheterization: innovative implementation in the Hunter Area Health Service.

Clean intermittent self-catheterization (CISC) has been used successfully for many years to promote socially acceptable and functional continence practice. The impact on health services, quality of life, and associated costs has also been documented. The use of CISC as a routine technique has been widely implemented in the Hunter Area Health Service, NSW, Australia. The positive outcomes resulting from the routine use of CISC has included reduction in length of stay and numbers of admissions for patients with urinary retention, reduction in nursing time, and decreased infection rates. The technique has been well received by patients who report a positive impact on their quality of life.