The provision of urethral catheters: an equipment audit.

Although medical and nursing audit is attaining a high profile in UK hospitals, the development of objective measures remains a challenge. The availability and storage or urinary catheters was recorded by a point prevalence survey in a District General Hospital. A "long-term" and "short-term" catheter were provided in all areas, but seven further brands of catheter were found. Female length catheters were rarely available. With some limited exceptions there were no written or verbal policies concerning selection of catheters in the wards. Excess numbers of catheters were stored by wards responsible for their own ordering. Damage of catheters during storage was noted. The survey provided a simple, rapid and inexpensive method of audit to rationalise and improve the provision of catheters. The implementation of a policy incorporating the selection, ordering, storage and use of such equipment will both optimise patient care and maximise efficient budgeting.