Ultrasound-Assisted Continence Care Support in an Inpatient Care Setting: A Mixed-Method Pilot Study

Abstract

This non-randomised exploratory intervention and feasibility study examines the impact of digital assistive technology (DAT), comprising a DFree Professional ultrasound sensor, on nursing care for continence support. Additionally, it evaluates nurses' willingness to incorporate DAT into the planning and practical implementation of care processes. The extent to which DFree Professional supports clinical care delivery and assists nurses in managing activities of daily living related to micturition remains unclear. It is anticipated that DFree will contribute to a reduction in nurses' workload in continence care settings. The device was designed with the objective of ensuring high usability for the nursing staff and of increasing user acceptance over the course of the study. This mixed-methods pilot study included 31 nurses from neurology and geriatrics wards over 3 months. Quantitative data were collected using the technology usage inventory (TUI) at three time points and System Usability Scale (SUS) assessments at one (final) point. Qualitative data were gathered through focus group interviews. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained. The study revealed a decline in the intention to use (ITU) of the DFree Professional sensor. Usability ratings reported the SUS benchmark of the study, yielding a mean SUS score of 50.9, which is below the commonly referenced benchmark of 68 for acceptable usability. Nurses reported the device has potential reductions in workload and improved management of continence care, if further infrastructural and problems with interfaces are solved. Qualitative findings highlighted user-friendly features and identified barriers to implementation, such as technical integration into existing systems. The DFree Professional sensor shows promise in enhancing nursing efficiency and reducing the burden of continence care. Future research should explore long-term effects on defined patient groups and broader applicability across diverse clinical settings.

Trial Registration: German Register of Clinical Studies: DRKS00031483