info@bladder-scanners.com
+44(0) 7860 637522
London — Nottingham
Welcome to the UK’s most comprehensive resource on bladder scanners.
Your central hub for understanding everything about this essential technology—from how it works to its profound clinical benefits.
In modern healthcare, providing efficient, evidence-based, and patient-centric care is paramount.
Bladder scanners are a cornerstone of this approach, offering a non-invasive, accurate, and immediate way to measure bladder volume.
Whether you are a nurse, a physician, a procurement manager, or a healthcare administrator, you will find the critical information needed to make informed decisions.
At its core, a bladder scanner is a portable, specialized ultrasound device. It uses sound waves to create an image of the bladder and automatically calculate its volume.
| Technology | Description | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Probe | Uses a motor to physically move a single ultrasound crystal back and forth to scan the bladder. | Lower cost, suitable for basic applications. |
| Phased Array Probe | Uses a sophisticated array of electronic elements that are fired in sequence to "steer" the ultrasound beam without any moving parts. | Higher accuracy, faster scanning, greater durability, and a clearer image. |
Integrating bladder scanners into clinical practice delivers transformative benefits for patients, clinicians, and healthcare facilities.
This is the most critical benefit. By providing an objective measure of bladder volume, scanners help prevent the insertion of unnecessary indwelling catheters—a primary cause of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTIs). Studies have shown this can reduce CAUTI rates by up to 50%.
A bladder scan is quick, painless, and non-invasive. It eliminates the discomfort and embarrassment associated with catheterization and allows patients to be active participants in their care.
Nurses can get an accurate bladder volume measurement in under a minute at the point of care. This saves valuable time compared to traditional methods and enables faster, more confident clinical decision-making.
Bladder scanners are versatile tools used across a wide range of clinical settings.
To assess for post-operative urinary retention (POUR).
For diagnosing various bladder conditions and evaluating treatment effectiveness.
To manage incontinence and prevent unnecessary catheter use in residents.
To quickly rule out urinary retention as a cause of abdominal pain.
To assist with bladder retraining programs for patients with neurological conditions.
To assess bladder volume before and after delivery.
A key measurement provided by a bladder scanner is the Post-Void Residual (PVR) volume. This is the amount of urine left in the bladder immediately after a patient has urinated.
A high PVR can indicate that the bladder is not emptying completely, which can be a sign of an underlying issue such as a blockage, nerve problems, or weakened bladder muscles.
| PVR Volume | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| < 50 ml | Normal in adults. |
| 50 - 100 ml | Generally considered acceptable in adults over 65. |
| > 100 ml | May indicate incomplete bladder emptying. Further evaluation is often needed. |
| > 200 ml | Consistently high PVR, often requires intervention. |
Selecting the right device depends on your specific clinical needs, patient population, and budget. Our comprehensive buyer's guide provides a deep dive into this process.
A: Yes, they use the same non-invasive ultrasound technology that has been used safely in medicine for decades.
A: A typical scan is completed in under 30 seconds.
A: Modern bladder scanners are designed to be very intuitive. We provide full training and support to ensure your staff is confident in using the equipment.
A: The probe and device can be easily cleaned with standard hospital-grade disinfectant wipes.
Bladder scanners are no longer a luxury—they are an essential tool for modern, evidence-based healthcare. By providing fast, accurate, and non-invasive bladder volume measurements, they empower clinicians to make better decisions, enhance patient safety and dignity, and improve the efficiency of care.
Ready to see how a bladder scanner could benefit your facility?
Contact a UK-Based Specialist TodayBladder Scanner information guides and news
For individuals managing chronic bladder conditions or recovering from surgery, regular bladder monitoring..
Bladder scanners play a critical role in healthcare by providing non-invasive assessments of..
Bladder scanners, or bladder ultrasound devices, are non-invasive medical tools that utilize advanced..
