Use of Catheters
Indications
- Bladder drainage - for relief of acute urinary retention or bladder outlet obstruction
- Prevention of urinary retention due to clots
- Measurement of urine output
- Perioperative use - urologic surgery, prolonged surgery, large volumes of intraoperative infusion or diuretics, intraoperative urine output measurement
- Urine specimen collection in patients who are unable to voluntarily void
- To assist in the healing of perineal wounds in incontinent patients
- Instillation of medications into the bladder
Not Indications
- Urinary incontinence
- Confusion
- Prolonged bed rest with no indication for catheterisation
- Measuring urine output in patients who are able to void where hourly output is not required
- Prolonged postoperative catheterisation without an indication
Contraindications
- Urethral trauma - e.g. due to pelvic fracture
- Urethral stricture
- Recent urologic surgery (men) - discuss with a urologist first
Next Page
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------