Urinary Catheters and Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary Catheters and Urinary Tract Infections
What is a urinary catheter?
A urinary catheter (Foley catheter) is a small tube placed in your bladder to drain your urine. The tube connects to a bag that collects your urine. This catheter may be used to help patients who are having trouble passing urine. It may also be used to help patients who are not able to use a bedpan or restroom.
Can a urinary catheter cause problems?
Yes. It can cause a urinary tract infection (UTI). This is because germs can use the tube to get into your bladder and grow until they cause an infection.
What is a UTI?
A UTI is an infection in your kidneys, bladder, or other part of your urinary tract. Some people feel normal when they have a UTI. Others may have one or more signs such as these:
- Fever
- Pain in the bladder area, lower back, or side of the body
- Sick feeling
Why does a catheter make a UTI more likely?
When there is a tube in your bladder, it is easier for germs to get into your body and cause an infection. The longer the tube is in place, the more time germs have to get in and grow. Even when the tube is put in and cared for properly, an infection may develop if the tube is in for a long time.
How is a UTI diagnosed?
A sample of your urine is used to see if germs are growing in your urinary tract and causing a problem. It is common for a few germs to be in the bladder after a tube is put in. You have an infection when there are many germs growing in your bladder.
Can a UTI be treated?
Yes. Antibiotics can be used to treat these infections.
What are we doing here in the hospital to help prevent these infections?
We, your health care team members, have a program to reduce UTIs. This program includes ways to help pass urine without having a tube in the bladder for a long time, such as:
- Putting a tube in the bladder just long enough to let the urine come out and then taking
the tube out of the bladder. - For male patients, using condom catheters. These do not go into the bladder.
For those patients who do need to have catheters in their bladders for awhile, we always:
- Put the tube in with a steril method
- Make sure that the tube is attached to one leg and not kinked.
- Keep the tube and bag below the bladder so the urine flows into the bag and doesn’t back
up. - Keep the tube and bag closed to keep out germs.
What can you do to avoid problems if you have a catheter?
- Tell your doctor or nurse if you:
- Have pain or discomfort with your catheter, in your bladder, or sides of your body.
- Feel like you have a fever.
- Are having trouble thinking or feel confused.
- Feel sick.
- Ask when the tube can be removed. You may not need it for a long time. There may
be other ways to help you pass urine. - Keep the area of your body around the tube clean. Your nursing team will help you.
Remember, the sooner the tube comes out, the less chance you have of getting a UTI!
So, if you have a urinary catheter, we will work with you to lessen the time you need it. We will also work with you in other ways to prevent infection.
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 05/09/2012
Copyright © 05/09/2012 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#7355
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