Inaccuracy of Urine Output Measurements due to Urinary Retention in Catheterized Patients in the Burn ICU

In this study, the authors explore the effects of airlock formation on urine output measured using an electronic urinary output monitor connected to either a standard commercial drainage tubing system or a drainage tubing system with an automated airlock clearing mechanism. In a multicenter study in the burn intensive care unit, urine output was compared between 10 control patients with a standard commercial drainage tubing system and 10 test patients with a novel automated airlock clearing drainage tubing system. The comparison was focused on identifying the number and magnitude of surges in urinary output because of airlocks and associated periods of false oliguria. In the control group, 5 of 10 (50%) patients had drainage line flow impediments from 8 airlocks. In addition, control patients experienced six associated periods of false oliguria. Airlock surge volumes ranged from 50 to 329 ml, and false oliguria duration ranged from 39.4 to 185.2 minutes. In the test group, 0 of 10 (0%) patients had drainage line impediments from airlocks (P

Source: Journal of Burn Care and Research - December 23, 2016 Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research