A recent survey of the National Healthcare Safety Network of disease control and prevention showed that urinary tract infections associated with catheter use are one of the leading global causes of infection-related healthcare needs. Antibiotic misuse and overuse may create super-resistant bacteria, which many scientists believe might cause a worldwide disaster.
Catheter-associated urinary tract infections, or CAUTIs, can cause high economic morbidity and burden. If not appropriately treated, the infections determine UTIs with pyelonephritis and myelitis and lead to or worsen Urosepsis.
What Are CAUTIs?
A urinary catheter—a device for draining urine from the bladder may cause CAUTI, a urinary tract infection. The ureters (connecting tubes), kidneys, bladder, and urethra make up the urinary system. It comprises a tube that takes waste or urine outside of the body.
Catheters are medical devices for people who can’t urinate on their own. It also helps monitor the amount of urine generated during intensive care during kidney and bladder examinations or post-surgery.
A CAUTI is an infection that develops in your bladder or kidney due to bacteria moving along the urine catheter (or “CAUTI”).
Medical professionals typically categorize CAUTI into two groups:
- Asymptomatic bacteremia UTI
- Symptomatic UTI
The term “CAUTI” refers to infections that occur when a patient is wearing an indwelling catheter or within 48 hours of doing so. There is no specific period for the catheter for urinary infection to be deemed catheter-associated.
One in three “hospital associate infections” in patients is caused by the most prevalent kind of HAI, the CAUTI. About 75% of urinary tract infections picked up in hospitals have a urinary catheter as a contributing factor. An estimated 13,000 deaths per year are related to CAUTI.
Hand cleaning, abstaining from using urine drain tubes, and, if necessary, inserting and maintaining clean urine drain tubes are just a few ways to avoid CAUTI.
Here are the three most important ways to avoid or prevent catheter-associated infections.
Top 3 Tips to Prevent CAUTIs
Don’t Reuse Catheters
Due to financial constraints or environmental considerations, some patients decide to wash and use their intermittent catheters again. You must use a brand-new catheter each time while undergoing intermittent self-catheterization, especially if you have had spinal cord injuries.
Reusing catheters increases the risk of developing major health issues such as urethral bleeding, infections, and trauma.
The FDA declares intermittent catheters as single-use devices. There have been initiatives to create reusable intermittent catheters and at-home sterilizing methods. Still, there needs to be more proof to show that such devices are as secure as single-use ones.
Using subpar cleaning methods raises the danger of bacterial infection. Always use sterile, single-use, disposable catheters for your safety and health.
Learn To Self-Catheterize Properly
One primary way to prevent CAUTIs is to learn and practice self-catheterization techniques. The procedures for self-catheterization are often similar for both men and women. Consult your doctor or catheter supplier to learn how to self-catheterize. With practice, the procedure becomes more straightforward.
Follow the given steps before or during self-cathing.
- Carefully take out the catheter from the packet while keeping it spotless.
- If necessary, lubricate the catheter’s top and tip two to three inches of its insertion end with a water-based product. Some catheters are greased before use.
- Try to urinate normally before conducting self-catheterization.
- Use an antiseptic towelette or soap and water to wash your genitalia. It reduces the chance of infection.
- Use soap and water to wash your hands.
- Try Advanced Catheter Products like A Closed System Catheter
Your choice of the catheter or urinary medical device matters as it can help you keep the risks of CAUTIs at bay. A closed system catheter is a pre-lubricated self-contained device placed inside its collection bag. With a closed system catheter, you don’t have to urinate into a container or toilet, thanks to its sterile collection bag. Catheters with a closed system can be helpful when traveling.
Urine will flow into the collection bag once it has reached the bladder. The user can gauge output and monitor water levels by checking the collection bag. If there isn’t a toilet nearby, you can still self-catheterize anywhere there is privacy.
Summary
Preventing urinary tract infections should be your primary concern when self-cathing. You need to use advanced products correctly to reduce the risk of urinary infections. Make sure you only purchase reliable and quality products from the suppliers like Active Life Medical Products.
The experienced and leading catheter supplier can assist you in choosing and buying a suitable urinary device.
How Active Life Medical Products Can Help With Catheter Supplies
You need a trusted catheter supplier when you require catheter supplies. Active Life Medical Products makes ordering the entire catheter supply process easy. Our Product Specialists can help you get your prescribed catheter covered through most insurances. Everything will be delivered directly to your front door.
Call Active Life Medical Products at (800) 319-2336 to place your order.
