Indications

Indications for urinary catheterization are:

  • Intermittent catheterization 
    • Collection of sterile urine sample.
    • Provide relief of discomfort from bladder distention.
    • Decompression of the bladder.
    • Measure residual urine.
    • Management of patients with spinal cord injury, neuromuscular degeneration, or incompetent bladders.
  • Short-term indwelling catheterization
    • Post surgery and in critically ill patients to monitor urinary output. 
    • Prevention of urethral obstruction from blood clots with continuous or intermittent bladder irrigations 
    • Instillation of medication into the bladder. 
    • Surgical procedures involving pelvic or abdominal surgery repair of the bladder, urethra, and surrounding structures.
    • Urinary obstruction (e.g. enlarged prostate), acute urinary retention.
  • Long-term indwelling catheterization
    • Refractory bladder outlet obstruction and neruogenic bladder with urinary retention.
    • Prolonged and chronic urinary retention.
    • To promote healing of perineal ulcers where urine may cause further skin breakdown.