A research project hopes to save lives by improving indwelling catheter care in residential aged care homes.
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The National Ageing Research Institute's IDC-IMPROVE project will focus on the co-design, implementation and evaluation of a care bundle to improve catheter care. It will be led by director of Aged Care Research Professor Joan Ostaszkiewicz.
Current international estimates suggest that up to 8 per cent of people in residential aged care have a long-term indwelling urinary catheter, despite evidence that extended use is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.
"Aged care residents with an IDC are three times more likely to die within a year than those without ... and the number of admissions to emergency departments and hospital is also far higher - it's unacceptable," Professor Ostaszkiewicz said.
"With the right strategies and practices in place, this discrepancy can be addressed."
Professor Ostaszkiewicz said the project, funded through the federal government's Medical Research Future Fund, would allow vital research focused on translating best practice guidelines into residential aged care.
"This research can save lives," she said.
