The nurse cystoscopist: a feasible option?

Objectives To compare the accuracy achieved by a trained urology nurse prac titioner (UNP) and consultant urologist in detecting bladder tumours during flexible cystoscopy. Patients and methods Eighty-three patients underwent flexible cystoscopy by both the UNP and consultant urologist, each unaware of the other's finding s. Before comparing the findings, each declared whether there was tumour or any suspicious lesion requiring biopsy. Results Of 83 patients examined by flexible cystoscopy, 26 were found to ha ve a tumour or a suspicious lesion. One tumour was missed by the UNP and on e by the urologist; each tumour was minute. Analysis using the chance-corre cted proportional agreement (K) was 0.94, indicating very close agreement. Conclusion A UNP can be trained to perform cystoscopy and detect suspicious lesions as accurately as can a consultant urologist. Legal and training is sues in implementation are important.