What is the importance of catheter care in nursing practice?

The three different types of catheters and what they are used for, the technique used, and how long the t catheters can stay in. The catheters that were discussed were the external condom catheter, intermittent self-catheterization (ISC), and the foley catheter. The most common reasons for catheterization is for urinary retention and urinary incontinence. It is a necessary measure for retention, while a last-minute resort to incontinence in patients with bladder control problems. Complications can occur with every type of catheter. Possible complications that can happen with catheterization are acquiring a UTI, allergic reactions and other debilitating factors. These complications can be avoided by taking proper care and maintenance of the catheter. Monitoring the output of the catheter can help healthcare professionals keep track of infection rates and how often the patient is voiding. Performing proper perineal care can help to avoid any further complications and any bad bacterial growth. Maintaining the sterility of the catheter, not only during insertion but also while performing catheter care is crucial to preventing the patient from developing complications such as an infection. Even when obtaining a catheter specimen of urine (CSU), it is important to ensure there is no risk of cross-infection and contamination. This can be accomplished by only taking a sample using the sampling port, using an aseptic non-touch technique. Almost half of hospital-acquired infections are classified at UTIs which is a significant percentage. The various types of bacteria enter the urinary tract through contamination during the insertion process or while providing catheter care. A continuously closed urinary drainage system has been shown to be the most effective way to prevent these types of infections from occurring. Irrigating the catheter also prevents complications that can arise from the presence of an obstruction in the tubing. The positioning and care of the catheter bag is also important. This is appropriately done by ensuring the bag is secured to the body, kept below the waist, emptying and changing the bag when needed, and being aware of any potential problems that can develop. As an end result, we found that continuous perineal care and catheter cleaning and flushing is the best way to prevent further infection or issues in the patient.