Presented: International Continence Society, CPC Workshop, Christchurch New Zealand, November 28, 2006 Bladder Health Awareness Initiative The Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates Tamara Dickinson, RN, CURN, CCCN SUNAPresident-Elect Senior Research Nurse Continence & Voiding Dysfunction Department of Urology UT Southwestern Medical Center Dallas, TX

Presented: International Continence Society, CPC Workshop, Christchurch New Zealand, November 28, 2006 Bladder Health Awareness Initiative  Recently established a task force to determine ways to improve bladder health awareness in the community.  Task force members were selected out of interest with several being identified as experts in the field of incontinence.  The task force identified the goal of developing a bladder health presentation individuals could easily use in their communities  This task force was a collaborative effort between SUNA, NAFC and the Simon Foundation

Presented: International Continence Society, CPC Workshop, Christchurch New Zealand, November 28, 2006  SUNA Members: Sue Lipsy,RN, MSN, CUNP (Chair) Pat Meade D’Alisera, MSN, FNP, CURN (Co-Chair) Pamela Ceo, MSN, APRN-BC, CUNP Mary Beth Hendricks, MSN, RNCS, FNP, ACNP, CUNP Cheryl LeCroy, RN, MS, CURN Silvia Maxwell, MSN, APRN-BC, CUNP Todd Morningstar, LPN Donna Thompson, MSN, CRNP, CCCN  NAFC Representative: Rachel Levkowicz, Health Educator  The Simon Foundation: Cheryle Gartley, Founder

Presented: International Continence Society, CPC Workshop, Christchurch New Zealand, November 28, 2006 Bladder Health Awareness Initiative  The task force developed a Power Point presentation that included basic information along with corresponding patient education fact sheets on bladder health and urinary incontinence.  These resources were launched at the SUNA Annual Conference in October in preparation for Bladder Health Awareness Week (Nov 12-18, 2006) in the US

Presented: International Continence Society, CPC Workshop, Christchurch New Zealand, November 28, 2006 Goals for the Initiative  That it would be used all over the US or in any other country where healthcare professionals would like to provide community education on the topic of bladder health awareness  That links to this presentation would be available from any website that wished to promote bladder health

Presented: International Continence Society, CPC Workshop, Christchurch New Zealand, November 28, 2006 The Plan for Use  The presentation and fact sheets would be widely and readily available for anyone to use (members and non-members of SUNA). It is currently available for at or via the SUNA corporate offices on CD (for a minimal charge)  A press release detailing this information was sent out prior to Bladder Health Awareness Week

Presented: International Continence Society, CPC Workshop, Christchurch New Zealand, November 28, 2006 Examples of Patient Fact Sheets

Presented: International Continence Society, CPC Workshop, Christchurch New Zealand, November 28, 2006

Examples from the Power Point Presentation

Bladder Health Promotion Community Awareness Presentation endorsed by the Society of Urologic Nurses (SUNA) National Association for Continence( NAFC) Simon Foundation for Continence

Presented: International Continence Society, CPC Workshop, Christchurch New Zealand, November 28, 2006 Urinary System Urinary System Urine: is formed in the kidneys and moves down the 2 ureters to the bladder. Bladder: stores and eliminates urine Detrusor: muscle of the bladder contracts and pushes the urine out during urination. Urethra: tube from the bladder that carries urine out of the body. Pelvic floor muscles: a sling of muscles that surround and press on the urethra to maintain urine in the bladder.

Presented: International Continence Society, CPC Workshop, Christchurch New Zealand, November 28, 2006 Bladder Function When you are ready to urinate, the brain relays a signal to the sphincter to relax and open and a signal to the bladder to contract. After you urinate, the sphincter closes tightly and the bladder relaxes and the refilling can resume.

Presented: International Continence Society, CPC Workshop, Christchurch New Zealand, November 28, 2006 Urinary Tract Infections

Presented: International Continence Society, CPC Workshop, Christchurch New Zealand, November 28, 2006 Bladder Control : Urinary Incontinence

Presented: International Continence Society, CPC Workshop, Christchurch New Zealand, November 28, 2006 Urinary Incontinence Definition: Any uncontrolled loss of urine of any amount Urgency and frequency of urination are not considered incontinence unless there is loss of bladder control, even a few drops of urine.

Presented: International Continence Society, CPC Workshop, Christchurch New Zealand, November 28, 2006 Risks Factors for Bladder Cancer People that handle rubber, chemicals, and leather, as well as hairstylists, machinists, metal workers, printers, painters, textile workers, and truck drivers are at higher risk.

Presented: International Continence Society, CPC Workshop, Christchurch New Zealand, November 28, 2006 Promoting Bladder Health

Presented: International Continence Society, CPC Workshop, Christchurch New Zealand, November 28, 2006 Do You Know SUNA?

Presented: International Continence Society, CPC Workshop, Christchurch New Zealand, November 28, 2006 History  Began its existence in 1972 as the AUAA as a sub-group of the AUA  In 1977, ready to accept responsibility for the needs of its members, separated from the AUA  In 1995 the association’s name was changed to the Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates

Presented: International Continence Society, CPC Workshop, Christchurch New Zealand, November 28, 2006 SUNA today…  Known for its exceptional national education programs for allied health professionals  Membership of approximately 3000  Provides members with a bimonthly newsletter and professional peer reviewed journal as well as a variety of other publications  Strong and active board of directors committed to meeting members needs

Presented: International Continence Society, CPC Workshop, Christchurch New Zealand, November 28, 2006 So you might ask “Why?”  There was no needs assessment  The program grew out of the strong commitment of the SUNA Board of Directors to provide our membership with resources congruent with our mission and vision

Presented: International Continence Society, CPC Workshop, Christchurch New Zealand, November 28, 2006  Mission: A professional organization committed to excellence in clinical practice and research through education of its members, patients, family and community  Vision: To be the nursing authority in the management of persons with urological healthcare concerns

Presented: International Continence Society, CPC Workshop, Christchurch New Zealand, November 28, 2006 Visit SUNA’s website at Annual Symposium Sexuality, Intimacy & Pelvic Floor Disorders Colorado Springs, March Annual Conference Phoenix, October 12-16