Establishing a continence service using AHCPR guidelines.

The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) has recently released practice guidelines for the management of adult urinary incontinence. The guidelines are designed to enhance the quality, effectiveness and appropriateness of health care in the area of incontinence. The purpose of this article is to describe assessment and management strategies as used in a continence clinic that incorporate AHCPR guidelines. This continence clinic exists within an established gynecology practice, however, continence services can be provided in nursing homes and/or home care agencies.