Inappropriate use of urinary catheters in patients admitted to medical wards in a university hospital

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence and predisposing factors were determined for inappropriate urinary catheterization (UC) among inpatients in medical wards.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted including all patients aged ≥ 18 years admitted to medical wards in a 1300-bed tertiary-care centre, and who had a urinary catheter in place on the day of the survey.

Results: Of 380 patients observed, 46 (12.1%) had a urinary catheter in place. Twelve of them (26.1%) were inappropriately catheterized. The most common indication for inappropriate UC was urine output monitoring in a cooperative, non-critically ill patient. Inappropriateness was associated with increased age, poor functional status, urinary incontinence, dementia, and admission from a long-term care facility.

Conclusions: Further educational efforts should be focused on improving catheterization prescribing practices by physicians.

Keywords: Catéter urinario; Conocimiento; Inappropriate use; Inpatients; Medical wards; Pacientes ingresados; Physicians’ knowledge; Servicios médico; Survey; Urinary catheterization; Uso inapropiado; Vigilancia.