NURS 360: For females, does the use of external catheters reduce the risk of catheter associated urinary tract infections compared with women who use indwelling Foley catheters?

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections are among one of the highest hospital-acquired infections. These infections are most commonly associated with the use of indwelling Foley catheters. The indwelling Foley catheter is placed through the urethra and can remain inserted for prolonged periods of time. This increases the risk for build-up of bacteria, which leads to the urinary tract infection. Due to the increased risk of infection, the external female catheter has now become an alternative. This device is placed externally, between the labia majora, and is changed every eight to twelve hours. This alternative has tremendously decreased the associated risk of urinary tract infections.