SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF URINARY-INCONTINENCE

All nurses can play an important role in the detection of urinary inco ntinence (UI) in both community as well as institutional populations. With their advanced practice assessment and patient management skills, NPs are assuming a major role in the diagnosis and treatment of UI in primary and acute care settings, in home care, and in the management of chronic incontinence in long-term care. A strong commitment by the nursing community to emerge as a leading health care provider of incon tinence assessment and management will be a major contribution to prov iding long awaited assistance for the 10 million incontinence sufferer s in the United States. This article reviews the significance and impa ct of UI across all settings.