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Communication Techniques for use with Prompted Voiding Protocol 

Approach person at prescribed time.

• Establishes trusting relationship.
• Reinforces desired toileting behaviour.

Greet individual by name, introduce self, and state purpose of interaction.

• "Hello, Mr. Roberts. I am Jane, your nurse. I am here to help you get to the bathroom".

Provide information.

• "It’s 2:00 – the time we agreed to meet so I could help you. I am here to help you get to the toilet".

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Determine how the person informs others of the need to toilet.

• "Your call light is on – do you need to use the toilet?"

Provide visual cues in the environment to promote desired toileting behaviour.

• Use a picture of toilet on bathroom door rather than abstract symbols.
• Leave bathroom door ajar when not in use.
• Use clocks with large numbers near restrooms to remind staff of toileting schedules.
• Post toileting schedules where staff will see it to remind them of the need to maintain assigned prompted voiding schedules.

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Provide for privacy.

• "Let’s go into the bathroom to check your clothing. I will wait outside the restroom while you empty your bladder."

Ask for permission prior to performing continence check.

• "Can I help you find out if your clothing is still dry?"
• "Can I help you find out if your clothing is still dry?"
• "I want to check your underclothes to see if they are wet - is that okay with you?"
• "Sometimes it’s hard to remember or realize that you have passed urine. Do you mind if I check to see if you’re still dry?"

Determine person’s awareness of continence status.

• "Can you tell me if you feel wet or dry right now?"

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Ask if person feels the need to void.

• Encourages the individual to re-learn bladder sensations.
• "Does your bladder feel full?"
• "Do you feel pressure in your lower abdomen?"

Prompt person to use toilet. Repeat prompt up to 3 times.

• "It’s time for you to use the bathroom."
• "Please use the toilet to empty your bladder."

Use familiar language for toileting behaviour. Be consistent with language.

• Do you need to empty your bladder/urinate/pee/ make water/use the toilet/etc?

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Offer toileting assistance.

• "Can I help you on to the toilet/bedpan?"
• "I will leave the urinal with you so you can empty your bladder."
• "Can I help you clean up/adjust your clothing?"

Give positive feedback at an adult level.

• "Yes, you are dry. You’re doing a good job with this new plan."
• "Thanks for reminding me when to help you in the bathroom."
• "You stayed dry all day. It must feel great to be accomplishing your goals".

Refrain from using negative feedback or treating the individual like a child..

• Promotes self-esteem. Builds trusting relationship.

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Provide frequent reminders about desired behaviours.

• "If you feel the urge to go to the toilet, let me know and I will help you."
• "Try to hold your urine until our appointment at 4:00."
• "I will help you to the toilet at 4:00."
• "If you need to use the toilet, please do so. I will help if you need it."

Inform individual of next scheduled prompted voiding session.

• "I would like you to hold your urine until 4:00."
• "That is 2 hours from now. I will help you use the toilet at 4:00."

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Reprinted with permission:
Lyons, S. S. & Specht, J. K. P. (1999). Prompted voiding for persons with urinary incontinence evidence-based protocol. In M. G. Titler (Series Ed.), Series on Evidence-Based Practice for Older Adults, Iowa City, IA: The University of Iowa College of Nursing Gerontological Nursing Interventions Research Center, Research Translation and Dissemination Core.

 

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