Providing effective evidence-based catheter management

Around a quarter of people admitted to hospital are catheterized at some point, however, urinary catheterization can have catastrophic effects on the bladder and a persons ability to regain continence in the future (Patel and Arya, 2001). Although most urinary catheters are used for a short-term period, bladder drainage complications, such as pain or bypassing, can occur (Niël-Weise and van den Broek, 2005). Sometimes, when these problems develop, or if the catheter is expelled, nurses react by changing the catheter, even though this is not necessarily the most appropriate solution. In fact, catheter-related problems provide nurses with the opportunity to evaluate the clinical indications for continued catheterization and to remove catheters that are not clinically indicated. When catheters are clinically indicated, nurses who use an evidence-based approach to diagnose and treat problems provide more effective care and reduce the risk of patient discomfort and recurrent problems.