Urinary catheters are used to drain the bladder. Your health care provider may recommend that you use a catheter if you have: Urinary incontinence (leaking urine or being unable to control when you urinate) Urinary retention (being unable to empty your bladder when you need to)
What are the indications for catheterization?
Therapeutic indications include the following :
- Acute urinary retention (eg, benign prostatic hypertrophy, blood clots)
- Chronic obstruction that causes hydronephrosis.
- Initiation of continuous bladder irrigation.
- Intermittent decompression for neurogenic bladder.
- Hygienic care of bedridden patients.
What are the appropriate indications for inserting an indwelling urinary catheter?
Indications for Indwelling Catheter (medical necessity)
- Sudden and complete inability to void.
- Need for immediate and rapid bladder decompression.
- Monitoring of intake and output.
