Abstract
This article describes the application and evaluation of a clinical nursing leadership model to enhance continence care in an inpa-tient rehabilitation setting for older adults. Multiple strategies were employed to optimize the uptake and sustainability of 3 practice initiatives: (1) establishment of an enhanced role for ward-based nurses to provide clinical support to patients and other staff for the management of incontinence, (2) a new method for nurs-ing assessment and management of bowel elimination, and (3) a framework for improved discharge care of patients with inconti-nence. Evaluation data indicated a high level of acceptance of the role of the ward-based continence resource nurses, improved assessment and management of bowel elimination, and enhanced discharge care for patients with incontinence. These initiatives were sustainable during a 2-year period after their introduction, despite the gradual withdrawal of the clinical leader.