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The focus of improving health care outcomes today relies on utilizing evidence-based practice. Pelvic organ prolapse affects women of all ages and negatively impacts their quality of life. Evidence-based tools for consistent assessment of prolapses have been developed, validated, and used by many clinicians. Use of these tools needs to become standard of practice for all clinicians who work in the women's health arena. The Brink scale and the POP-Q assessment tool can assist clinicians, direct quality care, and provide evidencebased practice.
© 2009 Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates Urologic Nursing, pp. 216-224.
Key Words: Pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic floor disorders, POP-Q assessment tool, Brink scale.
Objectives
1. Define pelvic organ prolapse.
2. Explain the etiology and risk factors of pelvic organ prolapse.
3. List symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse.
4. Discuss two tools for assessing pelvic organ prolapse.
Pelvic floor disorders, which include pelvic organ prolapse, urinary and fecal incontinence, and dysfunctional bowel and bladder symptoms, comprise a confluent series of medical conditions that negatively impact the quality of life for many women (Barber, 2005; Bo, 2006). Pelvic organ prolapse affects women of all ages and is often under-reported, under-diagnosed, and under-treated. Prevalence estimates are variable but range between 30% and 76% of the female population (Barber, 2005; Bo, 2006; Hagen, Stark, Maher, & Adams, 2006). Many women do not seek early medical care and postpone discussions with their health care provider until the symptoms become very troublesome and have a deleterious effect on their quality of life. It is expected that pelvic organ prolapse will increase in frequency as the population ages (Bo, 2006; Trowbridge, Rodriguez, & Fenner, 2005). It is important that clinicians become well-versed in the evaluation and diagnosis of pelvic organ prolapse, utilizing the upgraded assessment tools, such as the POP-Q and the Brink assessment scales. Conservative treatment options for this condition can be managed by clinicians with proper referral to urogynecologists or urologists for surgical management as needed. Each year, over 200,000 women undergo inpatient surgery to repair the prolapse at a cost of over $1 billion for hospitalization and physician fees alone (O'Dell & Morse, 2008).
Definition
Pelvic organ prolapse is defined as the weakness of the muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues that normally support the...