Catheterization: What, How and When?

Generally speaking, urinary catheters are used to drain urine from the body. The three primary types of urinary catheter are indwelling, intermittent and external. We created the following chart as a brief overview of these three catheter types, including how they work and when they can appropriately be used.1,2

Type:  Indwelling (Foley) catheter

How It Works  

• Left in the bladder 
• Collects urine and empties it into a drainage bag 
• May be inserted through the urethra or directly into the bladder via a small hole in the belly (urostomy)
• A small inflated balloon on the end of the catheter prevents it from sliding out (the balloon is deflated before removal)

When Is It Used?

• For both short and long periods of time
• When residents have acute urinary retention or bladder outlet obstruction 
• For accurate measurement of urinary output in critically ill residents 
• During and following select surgeries
• When residents require prolonged immobilization
• Following spinal cord injuries
• To improve comfort during end-of-life care

Type: Intermittent catheter 

How It Works  

• Inserted into the bladder only when urine needs to be drained and then removed  

When Is It Used?

• For short-term use, such as after surgery

Type: External (condom) catheter  

How It Works 

•  For male use only
• A condom-like device is placed over the penis
• A tube connected to the catheter leads to a drainage bag  

When Is It Used?

• Typically used when residents have seriously functional or mental disabilities, such as dementia, rather than urinary retention problems

The CDC cautions that indwelling catheters should only be used for appropriate indications and left in place only as long as needed. They should never replace proper nursing care for incontinent residents.2

Catheters are available in several different materials, such as silicone and latex, and with multiple features. Your highly trained ProMed territory manager is ready to help you select the exact catheters to meet your residents’ need. To get started, contact your territory manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com.

Sources

1 U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Urinary catheters. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003981.htm. Accessed June 16, 2015.

2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Guideline for Prevention of Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infections, 2009. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/hicpac/cauti/02_cauti2009_abbrev.html. Accessed June 15, 2015.