How to Prevent Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection?

Posted by diayanabill on October 4th, 2019

A patient with a urinary catheter is prone to Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) as germs, bacteria, and yeast may introduce in the area. Bacteria find their way to the bladder through the urinary catheter and cause an infection in the bladder or kidney. To avoid the formation of germs in the area you must keep it clean and dry.

Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection Symptoms:

Following are the symptoms of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection when you have a catheter:

• Pain or burning sensation in the lower abdomen.

• You see blood in urine, however, it is not a sure sign as it can be caused due to other problems.

• Fever

• Burning sensation while urinating.

• The frequency of urination is increased after the removal of the catheter.             

How to prevent Catheter-associated urinary tract infection?

If you have a catheter, you can take the following measure to prevent infection:

•   Wash your hands and keep them clean before and after you do the catheter care.

•    Do not disconnect the catheter and drain tube otherwise germs may enter into the catheter tube.

•  Make sure the level or urine bag is below the bladder.

•   Avoid tugging or pulling on the tube.

•   Do not twist the catheter tube.

•   Regularly check with your healthcare provider if you still need the catheter.

How to prevent Catheter-associated urinary tract infection in the hospital?

When you are in the hospital, nurses and doctors take certain precautions, to prevent Catheter-associated urinary tract infection, during catheter insertion and care.

Catheter Insertion

• A catheter is recommended only when required. Therefore, keep up to date if you need a catheter or not.

• Make sure only a trained person, who uses the sterile technique, insert the catheter.

• The area is properly clean before inserting the catheter.

• Using a temporary catheter to drain the urine and removing it after the work is done.

Catheter Care

• The healthcare provider or nurse washes the hands with water and soap before touching the catheter.

• The catheter is placed securely to the leg to prevent pulling.

• To avoid backflow, the urine bad is kept lower than the bladder.

• Empty the urine bad regularly.

Showering with a catheter could be a challenge. You have to keep the area dry and clean to avoid the risk of water-borne bacteria formation resulting in infection. To cover and protect the catheter, you can use catheter water shields which act as a barrier and seal the entrance of water.

Author’s Bio – The author is an online blogger. This article is about Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection