Objective: to seek the best evidence available in the literature concerning the knowledge produced and related to the techniques of intermittent and indwelling urinary catheterization, so as to place the nursing care given to patients submitted to urinary catheterization on a scientific foundation and to prevent urinary tract infections.
Method: the literature search was undertaken in the Pubmed and Cochrane databases for the development of the integrative review. The sample was of 34 articles. These were analyzed by two independent researchers using an instrument adapted for ascertaining the level of evidence and the grade of recommendation, in addition to the use of the Jadad scale.
Results: the evidence available related to the nursing care for patients submitted to urinary catheterization is: the infection rate in the urinary tract does not alter whether the perineum is cleaned with sterile water or not, or with the use of povidone-iodine solution or chlorhexidine; or using clean or sterile technique. The use of an intermittent catheter with clean technique results in low rates of complications or infections compared to the use of an indwelling catheter. The removal of the catheter in up to 24 hours after surgery and the use of an antimicrobial-impregnated or hydrophilic-coated catheter reduce urinary tract infection .
Conclusions: there are controversies in relation to periurethral cleansing technique, the type of material the catheter is made of, and some procedures for the maintenance and removal of the catheter. This review's results represent an updating of the nurse's conducts and decision-making for the prevention of urinary tract infections in urinary catheterization.