Urinary Catheter Care

Catheters may be used for various medical purposes. They are inserted to obtain a urine specimen or to measure urine output. Indwelling catheters are inserted for longer periods of time to address a bladder obstruction, to help prevent skin breakdown, and to maintain an accurate record of fluid intake and output. Catheterization is an invasive procedure that could expose a patient to infection. As a result, proper procedures and sterile techniques must be followed for the insertion of the catheter. Care of the urinary catheter system should follow basic rules of infection prevention and the health facility policies of handwashing and to prevent exposure of the patient with an indwelling catheter to infection. The most common complications associated with indwelling urinary catheters are infection, obstruction of the catheter, and trauma.