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.