Urinary catheter care in the intensive care unit

Nurs Crit Care. 2004 Jan-Feb;9(1):21-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1362-1017.2004.0048.x.

Abstract

Urinary catheters are associated with a number of complications, and nurses are ideally suited to minimize the associated risks by utilizing the available research in their practice. Urine tract infections caused by urine catheters are associated with increased mortality; however, urine catheter care is a nursing procedure, the importance of which is sometimes overlooked. This study reviews recommended guidelines on urine catheter care and current published literature on the subject. The aim of the study was to identify recommended practice and compare it with the current research and literature to conclude best practice. Conclusions made from this study are that existing guidelines correspond to the recommendations and findings in recent research and literature. However, more detailed guidelines and further research on how to prevent catheter-associated urine tract infections and other complications may be of benefit.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Benchmarking
  • Catheters, Indwelling / adverse effects
  • Critical Care / methods*
  • Cross Infection / etiology
  • Cross Infection / prevention & control
  • Equipment Contamination / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Infection Control / methods
  • Pain / etiology
  • Pain / prevention & control
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Risk Factors
  • Therapeutic Irrigation / methods
  • Therapeutic Irrigation / nursing
  • Urinary Catheterization / adverse effects
  • Urinary Catheterization / instrumentation
  • Urinary Catheterization / methods
  • Urinary Catheterization / nursing*