Urinary catheterization: selection and clinical management

Urinary catheterization is a common medico-nursing procedure in both acute and primary care. There is a variety of catheters and associated equipment available on prescription in the UK, how do nurses and other healthcare staff ensure that patients are able to access the most appropriate products for their individual needs? This article will look at the common reasons for catheterization and the rationale for the selection procedures in selecting the optimum method of catheterization, equipment selection and management options to ensure best practice for patient care. Different methods of catheterization, intermittent and indwelling, both urethral and suprapubic, will be considered in regard to preventing infection and providing optimum catheter management.