A protocol for the assessment of uroflowmeters.

Abstract

Uroflowmetry plays an important role in the investigation of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms. We were required to assess a newly developed uroflowmeter. We thus aimed to produce a standardised protocol to test the accuracy and filtering of any new uroflowmeter. The accuracy of a newly developed uroflowmeter (Minze Uroflow^®) was validated using a constant flow bottle and a cylindrical flow column. Two other machines were also tested alongside. We also assessed filtering by reproducing common artefacts in the laboratory. Finally, a questionnaire was constructed to assess the usability of the uroflowmeter by clinicians during a normal hospital flow clinic. A protocol to test new uroflowmeters was written and assessed. The protocol showed the following results for the tested uroflowmeters: a simple bench test using a constant flow bottle and cylindric column showed that the uroflow parameters (Q_max and V_void) were within the claimed accuracy range and ICS recommendations. The processing of the flow data by the systems effectively filtered noise, and the flow rate decline over the whole measurement range, as produced by the cylindrical flow column, was smooth and linear. Usability was assessed by clinicians in their routine clinical practice. The proposed tests meet the requirements of the ICS guidelines. We have designed a protocol which can be used by clinicians and researchers to validate the accuracy of their uroflowmeters, evaluate new models and ensure clinical usefulness.