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.
Read more about this topic: Urinary Catheterization
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