Patient education: Lowering the risk of a catheter-associated urinary tract infection (The Basics)

What is a catheter-associated urinary tract infection? — Urinary tract infections, or "UTIs," are infections that affect the bladder or kidneys. A "catheter-associated urinary tract infection," or "CAUTI," is an infection that happens when you have a urinary catheter in place.

You are at a higher risk of a UTI if you have a urinary catheter.

What is a urinary catheter? — A urinary catheter is a thin, flexible tube that drains urine from the bladder. It is sometimes called a "Foley catheter."

One end of the catheter is inserted through the urethra (the opening where the urine comes out of the body) and into the bladder. A small "balloon" filled with sterile water holds it in place. The other end of the catheter connects to a special bag outside of the body (figure 1). The bag holds your urine until you empty it.

What increases the risk of a CAUTI? — The longer you have a urinary catheter in place, the higher your risk for a CAUTI.

You are also at a higher risk for a CAUTI:

●If you are female

●As you get older

●If you have diabetes

●If you do not take proper care of your catheter

●If you have a spinal cord injury or a condition called "neurogenic bladder"

How can I prevent a CAUTI? — It might not be possible to prevent a CAUTI, but there are some things you can do to lower your risk. Your doctor or nurse will also take steps when inserting the catheter to lower your risk of infection.

Here are some tips:

●Make sure that you know why you need to have a catheter. Check with the doctor or nurse often to see if the catheter is still needed. The catheter should be removed as soon as possible.

●Ask about using an "external" catheter instead. These catheters are available for male and female use. This type of catheter does not go into your bladder, but collects the urine outside of your body.

●Wash your hands before and after you touch your genitals, catheter, drainage bag, or any urine collection device.

●Take care of the catheter:

•Wash the skin around the catheter with soap and water each day. Wash the outside of the catheter to keep it clean. Rinse well, and pat dry. Do not use creams or lotions on the catheter.

•Keep the catheter and tubing secure. Do not pull on it or catch the tubing on anything when you move around.

•Avoid touching the catheter and tubing as much as possible. Do not let other people touch the catheter or tubing.

•Tell your doctor or nurse if you notice any changes to the area where the catheter enters your body. Also tell them if you notice any cracks or leaks in the catheter or tubing.

●Take care of the drainage bag:

•Keep the drainage bag below your bladder. Keep the tubing free of kinks or loops.

•The catheter and drainage bag should not be taken apart. If you must change the bag, clean the connection between the catheter and the bag before you switch bags. Ask your doctor or nurse what to use to clean the connection.

•Drain the bag often into a clean container that is only used for your urine. Keep the drainage spout from touching the container or floor when draining the bag.

What else should I know?

●If you are in the hospital, visitors and staff should always wash their hands before and after visiting. If someone comes in and you do not see them wash their hands, ask them to.

●If you go home with a catheter still in, the staff will teach you how to care for it.

●If you have a catheter in place, it is common to have some bacteria in your urine. If you have no signs of infection or concerning symptoms, just having bacteria in your urine does not always mean that you have a UTI.

When should I call the doctor? — Call for advice if:

●You have any signs of infection – These include a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, chills, or a burning or painful feeling in your bladder.

●You have very bad pain in your back, shoulder, or belly.

●Your urine has blood in it, is dark or coffee colored, has bits of anything solid in it, or looks like pus.

More on this topic

Patient education: Urinary tract infections in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Urinary tract infections in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Urinary tract infections in pregnancy (The Basics)
Patient education: How to care for a urinary catheter (The Basics)
Patient education: How to use a catheter to empty the bladder (The Basics)
Patient education: Neurogenic bladder in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Paraplegia and quadriplegia (The Basics)
Patient education: Asymptomatic bacteriuria (The Basics)

Patient education: Urinary tract infections in adolescents and adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Urinary tract infections in children (Beyond the Basics)