Assessing Bladder Volume Using an Ultrasound Bladder Scanner

Goal: The volume of urine in the bladder is accurately measured.

1. Review the patient’s chart for any limitations in physical activity.

2. Bring the bladder scanner and other necessary equipment to the bedside.

3. Perform hand hygiene and put on PPE, if indicated.

4. Identify the patient.

5. Close curtains around bed and close the door to the room, if possible. Discuss the procedure with the patient and assess the patient’s ability to assist with the procedure, as well as personal hygiene preferences.

6. Adjust the bed to a comfortable working height; usually elbow height of the caregiver (VISN 8 Patient Safety Center, 2009). Place the patient in a supine position. Drape patient. Stand on the patient’s right side if you are righthanded, patient’s left side if you are left-handed.

7. Put on clean gloves.

8. Press the ON button. Wait until the device warms up. Press the SCAN button to turn on the scanning screen.

9. Press the appropriate gender button. The appropriate icon for male or female will appear on the screen.

10. Clean the scanner head with the appropriate cleaner.

11. Gently palpate the patient’s symphysis pubis. Place a generous amount of ultrasound gel or gel pad midline on the patient’s abdomen, about 1 to 1.5 inches above the symphysis pubis (anterior midline junction of pubic bones).

12. Place the scanner head on the gel or gel pad, with the directional icon on the scanner head toward the patient’s head. Aim the scanner head toward the bladder (point the scanner head slightly downward toward the coccyx) (Patraca, 2005). Press and release the scan button.

13. Observe the image on the scanner screen. Adjust the scanner head to center the bladder image on the crossbars.

14. Press and hold the DONE button until it beeps. Read the volume measurement on the screen. Print the results, if required, by pressing PRINT.

15. Use a washcloth or paper towel to remove remaining gel from the patient’s skin. Alternately, gently remove gel pad from patient’s skin. Return the patient to a comfortable position. Remove your gloves and ensure that the patient is covered.

16. Lower bed height and adjust head of bed to a comfortable position. Reattach call bell, if necessary.

17. Remove additional PPE, if used. Perform hand hygiene.