[Bladder catheterization in the hospitalized elderly people]

To determine the prevalence of patients with bladder catheterization in a geriatrics service and to analyze the factors associated with the use of urinary catheterization in hospitalized elderly people.

This descriptive and retrospective study (January to December 2019) included all the patients admitted to a geriatric service, with bladder catheterization during their hospital admission. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected.

In 2019, 10.20% of the patients admitted required urinary catheters. Most of these patients were males (60.6%), with an average age of 86.5 years (SD: 8.65). 43.4% of the urinary catheters that were placed temporarily were indicated in the geriatric unit, 28.9% in another medical service and 26.3% in the emergency department. The median of days with a urinary catheter was 7.5 days. The most common reason to indicate a urinary catheter was acute urinary retention (AUR) (67.7%). At hospital discharge, 22.3% of the patients needed to continue with a urinary catheter at home, without needing it prior to admission.

In our study, a high percentage of bladder catheterization was needed during the hospitalization, the most common cause being AUR. The average use (in days) of urinary catheters is high, with the consequent risk of nosocomial urinary tract infections. It is necessary to improve the prescribing habits of urinary catheterization and its early withdrawal through specific educational efforts and avoiding their inappropriate use.