The problem of bacteriuria with indwelling urethral catheterization

Bacteriuria following long-term catheterization is more likely to occur in elderly females over the age of 50 years, in patients with some abnormality of the bladder and when traumatic catheterization has taken place. Breaks in the closed system of drainage are the most important factors leading to bladder infections which, once there, are difficult to eradicate. Antiseptics are important at the time of catheterization but have little place afterwards except to reduce cross-infection and growth in the catheter bag. Systemic antimicrobials are only of use over a short period of catheterization and should be reserved in long-term catheterized patients for those with systemic manifestations of infection.