When it comes to conditions of the lower urinary tract, there are key differences to consider in order to determine which form of testing is the most appropriate. While there are striking similarities between methods that can potentially create confusion upon first glance, a practitioner knows which test is most appropriate for the corresponding symptoms.

One area that has the potential to create this confusion is determining the difference between the need for the broader Urodynamics testing panel or the Cystometrogram. While these two procedures involve many of the same elements, they are in fact different.

This post will provide a detailed comparison of the two methods and describe how they are similar, but also different. First, a brief explanation of the two methods before we compare:

Whether you are an administrator, owner, or someone who is involved in some way with the running of a medical practice, you are likely going to already know about both asset-light and asset-heavy medical practice designs.

If you are, however, unfamiliar with these terms, then knowing the difference between them can be extremely helpful in weighing up how to design a medical practice and where capital should be allocated.

An asset-heavy medical practice is one with a large amount of capital invested in equipment, the property and building where the practice is located, employees (with a large number of full-time employees), and essentially owns a wide range of assets that allow it to perform as many functions as possible.

An asset-light medical practice on the other hand is one that owns fewer fixed assets, with a minimized quantity of full-time employees that focuses more on using outsourcing vendors to provide patients with a full range of medical and diagnostic treatments.

When it comes to diagnosing patients right the first time, urologists, obstetricians, gynecologists, and healthcare professionals who want to improve the services they offer to patients all need to have access to the right testing options for diagnosing specific issues. The same is true when it comes to monitoring the health of the lower urinary system, with urodynamics being the only testing option specifically designed to monitor patient urinary health.

What Is Urodynamics?

Urodynamics refers specifically to the study of how the bladder, urethra, and associated sphincters in the body do their job of storing and releasing urine. Urodynamic testing therefore refers to the set of tests that provide healthcare professionals with valuable information on the health and function of a patient’s urinary system.

Disclaimer: I have not used the new system myself and relied upon colleagues who have for reviews. Additional information is from review of Laborie’s marketing materials.

Laborie’s new NXT Pro urodynamics (UDS) system has a variety of features designed to make the user operations simpler and more intuitive. In addition, technological enhancements allow automation of several aspects of the exam and Bluetooth connections to monitoring devices.

Urodynamics (UDS) is a relatively safe office procedure; however, as with any invasive procedure or test, there are risks associated with performing UDS. A few simple steps can help avoid complications in the majority of patients. Most of the complications associated with UDS are related to urinary tract infections (UTI) and the majority of this blog will focus on that. Additional complications include pain, patient anxiety and injury from catheter placement.

UTI is the most common serious complication of UDS testing, though the frequency of this is difficult to quantify.¹ There are excellent guidelines on this from the University of Michigan¹ and the American Urologic Association (AUA) also offers guidance for the prevention of UTI’s associated with UDS.²

Urodynamics (UDS) testing is usually performed in conjunction with a slew of other urologic tests and functions in concert with other diagnostics. This blog post will explore other common tests used in patients who will be having UDS testing and explains the indications and data that come from those other assessments.

            All patients who have UDS will undergo a comprehensive history, physical and laboratory testing. The history will focus on the specific urologic complaints the patient has, but also bowel issues, neurologic disorders and whatever medications the patient is on as well. Surgical history, especially related to urinary tract and anti-incontinence surgery is critical as is diet information. Lab testing will include a urinalysis to search for blood or infection, urine culture if infection is suspected, and many patients will have serum lab testing to assess kidney function.

Multiple practices and hospitals regularly reach out to us with their urodynamics needs. Many face the same dilemma, which is…should they buy their urodynamics equipment, lease it, or use a urodynamics service provider.  These are all viable options, but they have very different costs and benefits.  Some of the costs and benefits are obvious and some are not.  We will discuss these in this post.