title: [Appropriate and inappropriate use of indwelling urinary catheters].
abstract: Many hospitalized patients receive a urinary catheter during their stay. In 21-54% of patients, however, there is no appropriate indication for this. The most significant complication caused by the use of urinary catheters is the development of a urinary tract infection (UTI), one of the most common nosocomial infections. In 71-80% of hospital acquired UTIs a urinary catheter is present. The duration of the presence of a catheter is the major risk factor for catheter-associated UTI. Reducing the number of inappropriate catheterisations is an effective way of preventing catheter-related UTIs. Inappropriate use of indwelling urinary catheters can be reduced by maintaining strict guidelines on justifiable indications for inserting a urinary catheter, verifying daily whether the indication still applies, and by timely removal of the catheter when it is not or no longer needed.
authors.affiliation: Academisch Medisch Centrum, afd. Interne Geneeskunde, onderafd. Infectieziekten, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jolien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Janzen
authors.forename: Suzanne  E
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Geerlings
mesh_terms: D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000628:therapy