Prescribing intermittent self-catherisation: An update

Abstract

Each year, around one million urinary catheters are inserted in NHS hospitals ( Nazarko, 2010 ). Around 25% of these procedures are not clinically indicated ( Fakih et al, 2010 ; Rothfeld and Stickley, 2010 ; Bhatia et al, 2010 ), and in cases where bladder drainage is necessary, it may have been possible to manage bladder dysfunction using intermittent catheterisation ( Bardsley, 2015 ; Karason and Olafsson, 2013 ; Halleberg et al, 2013 ). Around 450 000 people in the UK have a long-term indwelling urinary catheter ( Prinjha and Chapple, 2013 ). Indwelling urinary catheters can increase the risk of infection, affect bladder health and affect quality of life. Guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence ( 2012a ; 2012b ) recommends that whenever possible, intermittent catheterisation should be considered. This article outlines indications for intermittent catheterisation and provides guidance for its use.