Indwelling urinary catheters (indwelling catheters; IDCs) are used to empty the bladder. Short-term indwelling catheters are indicated for patients with urinary retention or bladder dysfunction, or to assist with the management of urine and monitoring of urine output in critical care, acute care, and perioperative settings.
Despite their advantages, there are significant risks associated with use, including:
This module provides an overview of the indications for short-term catheterisation, and risks and complications associated with use. It then describes a generalised technique for IDC insertion and removal, and a review of effective nursing interventions to reduce the risk of UTIs in clinical practice.
IDC insertion and catheter care guidelines outlined in this module are general recommendations based on best nursing practice. Local guidelines should always be adhered to in clinical settings. All nursing and midwifery personnel should refer to their facility’s guidelines.
At the end of this module participants will be able to:
