Urinary Catheterization - Combating Infection

Combating Infection

Everyday care of catheter and drainage bag is important to reduce the risk of infection. Such precautions include:

• Cleansing the urethral area (area where catheter exits body) and the catheter itself.
• Disconnecting drainage bag from catheter only with clean hands
• Disconnecting drainage bag as seldom as possible.
• Keeping drainage bag connector as clean as possible and cleansing the drainage bag periodically.
• Use of a thin catheter where possible to reduce risk of harming the urethra during insertion.
• Drinking sufficient liquid to produce at least two liters of urine daily
• Sexual activity is very high risk for urinary infections, especially for catheterized women.

Recent developments in the field of the temporary prostatic stent have been viewed as a possible alternative to indwelling catheterization and the infections associated with their use.