Urinary Catheter Dependent Loops as a Potential Contributing Cause of Bacteriuria: An Observational Study

Urologic studies suggest that urinary catheter dependent loops (tubing low points) may be a contributing cause of bacteriuria and urinary tract infection among catheterized patients. The means by which this type of contaminant transmission occurs, however, remains poorly understood. An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted to provide a foundational look at catheter dependent loops and their possible role in catheter-acquired urinary tract infections, and as a building block for further research.