Study on the bladder irrigation of patients with indwelling urethral catheter

Abstract

Objective To investigate the necessity of bladder irrigation of patients with long-term indwelling urethral catheter.Methods 120 patients with long-term indwelling urethral catheter were randomly divided into four groups and given bladder irrigation in different frequency(2/d,1/d,1/w and in special circumstances)or none.Urine specimen was collected and tested on 1 d,5 d,7 d,10 d,14 d,21 d and before the catheter withdrawal.The incidence rates of catheter-associated urinary tract infection of the groups were observed.Results The infection rate of patients without bladder irrigation(13.33％)was similar to those given bladder irrigation once a week(13.33％),but was lower than those given bladder irrigation twice a day (56.67％)and once a day(36.67％).The difference was statistically significant(x2 =18.73,P ＜ 0.01).The positive rate of urine culture in patients without bladder irrigation(20.00％)was lower than those given bladder irrigation once a week or in special circumstances(30.00％),those given bladder irrigation once a day (53.33％)and twice a day(76.67％).The difference was statistically significant(x2 =23.30,P ＜ 0.01).The frequency of bladder irrigation and duration of catheter indwelling were the risk factors of urinary tract infection.Conclusions Frequent bladder irrigation has no effect on preventing urinary infection.Individual schedule of bladder irrigation should be made according to the patients' condition. Key words: Urinary catheterization; Catheters, indwelling; Urinary tract infections; Bladder irrigation