Assessing the value of PureWick™ System for the management of patients with urinary incontinence

Principal investigators: Carla Rognoni  

Team UB/Cergas: Carla Rognoni – Vittoria Ardito – Rosanna Tarricone

Client: Becton Dickinson UK LTD

Duration: 13 months

Abstract:

Urinary incontinence, the involuntary leakage of urine, affects women and the elderly and significantly impacts quality of life. It includes types like stress, urge, overflow, functional, and mixed incontinence, with risk factors including gender, age, obesity, and medical conditions. Management varies by severity, with hospitalized or bedridden patients often relying on catheters or pads. The PureWick™ System, a non-invasive device for female urinary incontinence, uses suction to wick urine into a collection canister, keeping the skin dry and improving comfort. It may reduce risks of nighttime falls and Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI) compared to indwelling catheters, offering a safer alternative for managing incontinence. The aim of the project is to assist stakeholders in systematically evaluating the choices related to the use of PureWick System in women with urinary incontinence. In particular, the objective of the study is to compare the use of PureWick System with the use of indwelling catheters or pads/diapers and to develop models in order to carry out a Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (CEA) and a Budget Impact Analysis (BIA) in both acute and non-acute care settings. The analyses, considering the National Healthcare service perspective, will be performed in the following Countries: Belgium, Italy, Spain, Germany, Sweden, United Kingdom and France.

Methods:

A BIA model will be developed to evaluate the impact on the NHS expenditure in the seven Countries of the adoption of PureWick System for the management of women with urinary incontinence, over a period of 3 or 5 years. A literature search will be performed to retrieve the available evidence on resource use and related costs for the different Countries and different settings (acute and non-acute care). A CEA model will be integrated in the BIA model to assess the cost-effectiveness of PureWick System compared to indwelling catheters and pads/diapers.