Reducing the probability of urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Urinary tract infections can be a recurring challenge for many catheter users. While it’s not always possible to prevent every infection, there are precautions you can take to help minimize the risk.

1. Drink 6–8 glasses (1.5–2 litres) of fluid per day ¹
   Drink plenty of fluids (provided you do not have a medical condition that requires you to restrict fluid intake). Consult your healthcare provider if you are unsure.
2. Maintain good personal hygiene
   Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. If you don’t, bacteria can enter the urinary tract through the catheter.² Also, before the catheterization, carefully clean the opening around the urethra with clean water or as instructed by your healthcare provider.
3. Empty your bladder regularly and completely, as recommended by your healthcare professional
   Emptying the bladder completely each time with catheterization drains the urine from the bladder and, with that, the bacteria. If urine remains, bacteria may also remain.
4. Always use a new sterile catheter
   We recommend you use a new, sterile catheter with a hydrophilic coating every time you catheterize. Coloplast’s hydrophilic catheters are ready to use right out of the package, may increase comfort, and can help reduce risk of urethral trauma.

Drinking enough fluids, practicing good hygiene, fully emptying your bladder, and using new sterile catheters each time you catheterize can all help to an all work together to help prevent UTIs.

Talk to your healthcare provider if UTIs are recurrent issue. The information provided here offer general guidance and may not apply to every situation. You should follow the specific instructions provided by your healthcare provider and the intermittent catheterization solution you are using.

Coloplast Care is a free product and lifestyle support program for catheter users. We offer support through free online resources on our website, phone support, and product guidance. Learn more and sign up here or call a dedicated Care Advisor at +1-866-293-6349.

References:

1. NHS. Clean Intermittent Self-Catheterisation (CISC). 2017
2. Kennelly M, Thiruchelvam N, Averbeck MA, Konstatinidis C, Chartier-Kastler E, Trøjgaard P, et al. Adult Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction and Intermittent Catheterisation in a Community Setting: Risk Factors Model for Urinary Tract Infections. Advances in Urology. 2019 Apr 2;2019:1–13.