Factors Predisposing to Bacteriuria during Indwelling Urethral Catheterization

Abstract

Of 405 hospitalized patients with temporary closed sterile urinary-catheter drainage, 95 (23 per cent) acquired bacteriuria. The risk was significantly greater for patients who were female, elderly or critically ill (p<0.005 for each with appropriate comparison group). The patients who received systemic antimicrobial agents acquired bacteriuria less frequently than the patients who did not (16 versus 32 per cent —p<0.001). However, the apparent protective effect of antimicrobials occurred only during the first four days in which catheterization was in progress. Breaks in the closed drainage system or improper care of the drainage bag occurred frequently (121 of 405 systems studied) and predisposed to bacteriuria. Bacterial contamination of the drainage bag preceded onset of bacteriuria in 18 per cent of cases. Strict adherence to aseptic care of closed sterile drainage systems can be expected to reduce rates of hospital-acquired, catheter-associated bacteriuria. (N Engl J Med 291:215–219, 1974)