The CFT Urinary catheterisation in adults policy and CFT UroShield® ultrasound device to reduce infective and non-infective complications in indwelling urinary catheterisation policy and CFT Urinary tract infection guidance are available to use for all providers of health and social care in Cornwall.
The catheterisation guidance document sets out clinical advice relating to urinary catheterisation and catheter care in ensuring the highest standards of care and practice are consistently delivered across all services used by our patients; and to ensure providers meet clinical best practice standards in delivering direct patient care in urinary catheters and catheterisation.
Staff working for health and social care providers across the Cornwall system can use the Indwelling urinary catheterisation self-directed workbook to support and evidence their clinical skills competency requirements.
Innovations in catheter care continue to be explored by many clinicians and scientists, especially to reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), catheter blockages and bladder mucosal irritation, which is vital to ensure safety and reduce harm (Jeffery and Mundy 2020).
In 2019 we launched our catheter passport. The passport was developed to be likened to a logbook for each resident to give them information on how to care for their catheter as well as a clinical section in the back for their nurses, doctors and carers to fill in as necessary.
Unfortunately, catheters can significantly increase the risk of urinary tract infections and whilst these infections are usually mild, they can on occasion be serious and can impact general health and wellbeing, which is what we’re trying to prevent.
The catheter passport also includes useful information including a pee-o-meter to ensure hydration.
Our aim is for them to be used county-wide throughout the NHS in Cornwall for anyone that has been fitted with a catheter.