A Trial of effectIveness of a Smart Sensor for Continence Care: the ARCTICC Study

A Randomised, Controlled Trial of effectIveness of a Smart Sensor for Continence Care: the ARCTICC Study

The purpose of this study is to compare the use of an electronic incontinence identification system with nursing home support (Tena Identifi) versus usual care on the quality, resource use and outcomes of continence care for older residents of nursing care homes.

This is a prospective, quasi-experimental, controlled study with a mixed methods design with qualitative and quantitative components.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Nursing homes: A facility which:

  • provides care for residents over the age of 65 years
  • has an existing policy for continence care
  • is registered with the appropriate Provincial authorities
  • engages in recording of the RAI- MDS v2.0

• Residents: Nursing home residents over the age of 65 requiring a continence assessment upon entry to the nursing home or requiring a reassessment because of either a change in clinical status or provincial requirement shall be eligible for entry

Exclusion Criteria:

• Residents

  • at the end of life,
  • with profound behavioural disturbances likely to render the use of the Tena Identifi system impractical
  • an identifiable, potentially reversible cause for their urinary incontinence (e.g.: acute urinary tract infection)
  • with double incontinence dominated by faecal incontinence

• Staff and Managers - Staff who did not take the training on the Identifi system or managers whose units that did not participate in the study will be ineligible for the focus group.