title: [Using a bladder catheter].
abstract: The procedure to drain a bladder consists in inserting a catheter through the urethral passage all the way to the bladder in order to open up a drainage way to the exterior, whether this drainage is temporary or permanent. This procedure is indicated in cases which require a strict control of diuresis, blood letting, or bladder surgery for sample gathering, to open up a passage to drain a bladder in cases of urinary retention, and catheterization for diagnostic purposes. This invasive procedure occurs frequently in hospitals, having a 10 to 15% incidence rate and is defined as the most prevalent cause of hospital infections. To practice the protocol to insert and maintain a bladder catheterization is essential to prevent complications and to reduce to the maximum the risk of infection in the urinary tract as a consequence of a bladder catheterization.
authors.affiliation: Hospital General Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Servicio de Enfermedades Infecciosas. moncarbal@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Montse Carballo
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Alvarez
authors.forename: Mercedes Martínez
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Vilariño
authors.forename: Montserrat Llaga
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
mesh_terms: D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*