What are Foley catheter maintenance best practices?

Preventing Infections

• Keep the drainage bag below the level of your bladder.
• Keep your drainage bag off the floor at all times.
• Keep the catheter secured to your thigh to keep it from moving.
• Don’t lie on your catheter or block the flow of urine in the tubing.
• Shower daily to keep the catheter clean.

Is CAUTI evidence based practice?

Urinary catheters are commonly placed for inappropriate indications and healthcare providers are often unaware that their patients have catheters leading to prolonged unnecessary use. Up to 60% of CAUTI are considered preventable; provided that recommended evidence based infection-prevention practices are implemented.

What evidence based practices must be initiated to avoid CAUTI?

ANA Initiative to Prevent CAUTI There are three areas to improve evidence-based clinical care to reduce the rate of CAUTI: (1) prevention of inappropriate short-term catheter use, (2) nurse-driven timely removal of urinary catheters, and (3) urinary catheter care during placement.

How frequently should a Foley catheter be changed?

The catheter itself will need to be removed and replaced at least every 3 months. This is usually done by a doctor or nurse, although sometimes it may be possible to teach you or your carer to do it. The charity Bladder and Bowel Community has more information on indwelling catheters.

How do you properly care for a catheter?

Slide 7: The DO’s of Indwelling Urinary Catheter Care 2,3,6,7

1. Do perform peri-care using only soap and water.
2. Do keep the catheter and tubing from kinking and becoming obstructed.
3. Do keep catheter systems closed when using urine collection bags or leg bags.
4. Do replace catheters and collection bags that become disconnected.

How can the nurse prevent infection in the catheterized patient?

Remember that handwashing is the first and most important preventive measure, followed by the use of barrier precautions such as sterile gloves, drape, sponges, antiseptic solution, and single-use packets of sterile lubricant.

What are some alternatives to indwelling Foley catheter?

Evidence-based alternatives to indwelling catheterization include intermittent catheterization, bedside bladder ultrasound, external condom catheters, and suprapubic catheters.