Urinary catheter — indications and care
Valid indications: acute retention or obstruction, accurate output measurement in critical illness, certain surgeries, comfort at end of life, healing of a sacral wound with incontinence. Not valid: convenience, incontinence alone, immobility alone. Care: closed system never disconnected, bag below bladder level and never on the floor, secure the tube to prevent traction, daily perineal hygiene with soap and water, no routine irrigation. Every day with a catheter raises infection risk. Ask each day whether it can come out.