Catheter care and infection control

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Catheter Care and Infection Control
   1. Meatal Cleansing
   2. Managing drainage systems
   3. Catheter Valves
   4. Taking catheter specimens of urine
   5. Catheter Care Bundles
   6. Troubleshooting catheter problems
   7. Bypassing
   8. Encrustation and blockage
3. Summary
4. References

Introduction

This learning activity looks at the prevention of catheter acquired urinary tract infection. Catheter care and the appropriate use of bladder instillations is also covered.

In this activity you will:

- Demonstrate an understanding of the NICE infection control guidelines in relation to drainage systems and urinary catheter care

- Critically review the application of catheter care bundles and audit to clinical practice

- Discuss the appropriate use of catheter maintenance solutions/bladder instillations

Indwelling urethral catheterisation leads to many serious infections and significant morbidity (NICE, 2012) and catheter acquired urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are responsible for 80% of hospital acquired infections (Pratt et al, 2007). 20-30% of catheterised patients in acute care settings develop bacteriuria and 2-6% of those patients whose urine becomes colonised with bacteria will develop symptomatic urinary tract infections (UTI) (NICE, 2012).

The longer a catheter is in situ, the greater the risk of infection and the risk of infection is significantly lower with intermittent than with indwelling catheterisation. The risk of bacteriuria increases by approximately 5% for each day the catheter remains in situ (Garibaldi et al, 1982). Most patients with a long-term indwelling catheter will therefore have developed bacteriuria within 20 days of catheterisation.