Catheter-associated urinary tract infections in community settings

An estimated 90,000 people in community settings have long term indwelling urinary catheters.¹ Urinary catheters are invasive medical devices and there are risks and benefits associated with their use. This article examines the clinical indications for indwelling urinary catheterisation and the diagnosis and treatment of catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI). There is little data on the number of people with long term urinary catheters being cared for in the community. A UK study extrapolated data from the South and West of England of people who had indwelling catheters for 90 days. They estimated that over 90 000 people in the UK had long-term catheters.