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What are the risks of urinary catheterization?
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The primary risk of catheterization is a urinary tract infection.
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What is a urinary tract infection?
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The human urinary system includes the bladder, which stores the urine, and the kidney, which filters the blood to make urine. Germs like bacteria or yeasts do not normally live in these areas but if germs are introduced, an infection can occur.
If you have a urinary catheter placed in your bladder, germs can travel along the catheter and cause an infection in the bladder or the kidney. This is referred to as a catheter-associated urinary tract infection or CAUTI.
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What are the symptoms of a urinary tract infection?
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Some of the common symptoms of a urinary tract infection are: - Burning or pain in the lower abdomen that is, below the stomach
- General feeling of weakness and illness
- Redness or tenderness around the catheter exit site
- Bloody urine may be a sign of infection, but is also caused by other problems
- Burning during urination or an increase in the frequency of urination after the catheter is removed.
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Can catheter-associated urinary tract infections be treated?
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Yes, most catheter-associated urinary tract infections can be treated with antibiotics and by simply removing or changing the catheter.
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How to care for your catheter?
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- Healthcare providers should clean their hands before and after touching your catheter by washing them with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Avoid disconnecting the catheter and drain tube. This helps prevent germs from entering the catheter tube.
- The catheter should be secured to the leg to prevent accidental pulling on the catheter.
- Avoid twisting or kinking the catheter.
- Keep the urine bag lower than the waist line to prevent urine from flowing back into the bladder.
- Empty the bag regularly. The drainage spout should not touch anything while emptying the bag.
- If you are caring for an indwelling catheter at home, catheter care can be performed in the shower or bath.
- After gently cleaning your genital area as you normally would, the catheter tube can be gently cleaned with a wash cloth and mild soap.
- Take care not to tug and pull on the catheter or push the catheter further into the body as this can cause irritation.
- Be sure to rinse the soap off completely.
- A catheter and attached drainage bag should only be touched after washing the hands with soap and water. This can help prevent infection.
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How to care for disposable catheters?
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If you are using a disposable catheter, then ensure that you take a new one each time you empty your bladder. And throw the catheter away once you are done.
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How to care for reusable catheters?
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If the catheter you have is reusable then do the following after each use: - Wash your hands with soap and warm water
- Clean the catheter with soap and warm water
- Rinse the catheter, making sure there is no soap left inside or on it
- Dry the outside of the catheter
- Store the catheter in a clean, dry container, such as a re-sealable plastic bag
- Throw away a catheter if the plastic looks cloudy
- Wash your hands again
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What care should be taken while using a condom catheter?
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Condom catheters are made of several different materials, such as latex. Do not use a latex catheter if you are allergic to it. Different types of condom catheters may attach to your penis in different ways. Some catheters have a Velcro attachment and others have a special tape. Do not use adhesive tape. Always read and follow the directions given with the catheter when putting on, taking off and throwing it away.
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How do I care for my drainage system?
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- Keep the drainage system always closed: A catheter should always be attached to another equipment to form a closed drainage system. Do not disconnect any part of the closed system unless it is necessary such as when changing the urine bag.
- Secure the catheter tube: Keep the catheter tube tied or fixed securely so that you may not accidentally pull or move the catheter. This helps prevent bladder spasms or painful cramps. Use tape or a strap to secure the catheter tube to your body.
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Do I need to remove my catheter when showering?
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In most cases, it is alright to shower with the catheter and urine bag in place. However, it is always good to seek your doctor's advice before doing it. Unless told not to, you can take a shower without having to remove the catheter.
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What signs should I watch out for to signal improper catheter care?
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You will need to regularly check the catheter-insertion site area for any signs of inflammation or pus. It you see that the site of catheter insertion is inflamed, red and swollen or there is pus then the alarm bells should start ringing.
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