Mastering proper catheter use is essential for urinary incontinence patients and intermittent catheter users. Not only will it ensure your comfort, but it will also prevent known complications, like urinary tract infections (UTIs). UTIs are the most common complication of using catheters, typically occurring when bacteria enter the urinary system.
If you have a UTI, you might struggle with pain while peeing or even pain in your side or lower back, making you uncomfortable. While antibiotic treatment is easily accessible and available to eliminate UTIs, it is also essential to know how to use catheters properly to prevent this type of infection from happening again.
In this blog, we’ll explore how to use catheters to minimize your UTI risk based on proven experts from the field. You’ll learn some practical tips to help you minimize your chances of developing a UTI. First, let’s explore UTIs and why they happen when you regularly use catheters.
Understanding Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Why Do They Happen?
As we briefly mentioned, a urinary tract infection (UTI) is when your urinary system experiences an infection. While most common in females, it can also happen to men. The specific parts of your urinary system that might be impacted are your urethra, bladder, or even your kidneys. No matter what part of your system is affected, it can produce common symptoms.
Some of these symptoms include pressure in your pelvis, pain in your lower back, abdomen, or pelvis, frequent urination or urinary incontinence, pain when you pee, or blood in your pee. You may even feel exhausted, have a fever, or experience confusion. Typically, you will develop a urinary tract infection (UTI) because bacteria finds its way into your system, sometimes even through a catheter.
Unfortunately, about 75% of all UTIs that people develop in hospitals come from urinary catheters, showing just how prevalent this issue is. If someone fails to wash their hands before changing or adjusting their catheter or if the urine bag is positioned incorrectly, they could be at risk of developing a UTI. With prolonged use as well, the risk of developing a UTI only increases over time.
Even despite this, there are ways to mitigate this risk to ensure your urinary tract system remains healthy. Let’s explore some of the proven, research-based strategies you use to prevent UTIs and have a comfortable catheter experience.
Best Practices for Catheter Use to Prevent UTIs
Aseptic Technique: Best Method for Infection Prevention
One of the most important and research-backed strategies for proper catheter use while preventing UTIs is the aseptic technique. In other words, this prioritizes ensuring that the conditions are sterile to reduce the risk of infection and the chances of bacteria ending up in the urinary system.
The basic steps of this, as most nurses practice, ensure the absence of disease-causing microbes and pathogens. There is an acronym that you can use—as well as a caregiver or nurse working with you—to ensure that you avoid infection: ANTT.
- Always wash your hands effectively.
- Never contaminate key parts.
- Touch non-key parts with confidence.
- Take appropriate infective precautions
So, in this case, you should wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, use sterile gloves and equipment, and always clean the urethral opening before insertion. Do not touch the catheter tip to ensure it remains sterile.
Catheter Selection: Certain Catheters Can Reduce UTI Risks
If you want to improve your comfort and also work to reduce the risk of UTIs, you can also select different catheters. Most people will often use indwelling urinary catheters, but other alternatives might be better suited for you and your health. Aside from ensuring that your catheter is the right size and material, you can also select different types of catheters.
While some research demonstrates no conclusive evidence that different types of catheters can prevent catheter-associated UTIs, you may opt—with the guidance of a healthcare professional—for antimicrobial catheters, intermittent catheters, suprapubic catheters, and even condom catheters. Silicone catheters might be better for those who are allergic to latex, but other studies have shown that silver alloy-coated catheters could reduce UTI risk by 12%.
With our catheters, you can reduce your risks of infection even more due to key features that come with every product: antimicrobial lubrication silicone oil and a sheath sleeve. Our antimicrobial lubrication silicone oil benefits users by lubricating the catheter surface for a smoother, more comfortable insertion. Additionally, our sheath sleeve allows for non-touch insertion, so you can maximize hygiene and minimize your risk of infection.
However, despite all of this information, the most important part of this decision is selecting the product that fits your needs and health situation. You can decide which catheter works best for you with a trusted healthcare professional.
Maintenance and Hygiene: Daily Effort to Prevent UTIs
While it is impossible to eliminate the risk of UTIs while using catheters, you can take steps to remain hygienic and clean and lessen your chances. Using the aseptic method will help you significantly, as will keeping your catheters in a sterile, dry place. Still, you should only use the catheters when needed and always maintain sterile conditions when placing a new catheter. Maintaining the catheter’s closed sterile draining system will also ensure that you do not invite any bacteria into your system.
However, aside from these steps, you should also change your drainage bags daily, replace your bags with new ones weekly, and ensure that you do not block the urine flow from the catheter to the drainage bag. With proper maintenance and hygiene, you can always reduce your risks and become a master of long-term catheter use while avoiding UTIs.
Take Steps to Protect Your Urinary Health
Drinking enough water and adhering to proper maintenance and hygiene practices can encourage optimal health and reduce your risk of UTIs. You typically need to drink around 2-3 liters of water daily to dilute urine and flush bacteria from your system. Furthermore, be sure to empty your bladder before bed, as this can help you prevent UTIs while using a catheter.
Additionally, catheterize according to your doctor’s schedule, generally every 4-6 hours, to prevent any bladder overdistention. As always, use proper sterile catheters and lubrication every time, and never reuse a catheter. Finally, to take further precautions, you can always drink cranberry juice or add more vitamin C to your diet, as studies have shown this can help you prevent UTIs. However, before adjusting your diet, discussing these changes with your doctor is always best.
By following the practices we have explored, you can enjoy comfortable catheter use, even long-term. If you suspect you might have a UTI, contact your doctor to receive antibiotics to treat your condition.
If you are prescribed intermittent catheters, check out CompactCath! CompactCath®’s catheters, both Classic and Lite, are designed to alleviate the anxiety of catheterizing in public. Their ultra-compact, convenient, and discreet nature makes them the perfect fit for on-the-go catheter use.
Our CompactCath catheters are pocket-sized and pre-lubricated with silicone oil, so they are ready to go. Designed to be no-touch, you’ll avoid touching the exposed catheter tube so, reducing your risk of catheter contamination and also UTIs. Get your free samples today to discover if CompactCath is the right fit for you!