Bladder washouts Resources

Over 124,000 people in the UK have long-term indwelling catheters (Gage et, al, 2017; Nazarko, 2017). Indwelling urinary catheters increase the risks of infection and ill health (Feneley et al, 2015; Public Health England [PHE], 2016). They can leak, block and management can be burdensome for the person with the catheter, caregivers and health service (Cottenden et al, 2013). This article updates readers on how to reduce the risks of infection, leakage and catheter blockage, and how to manage these problems when they occur.

Ian Pomfret describes an audit of community catheter care in a bid to assess workload pressures of a Lancashire rapid response team.
Acknowledgements:
The RRT, Chorley & South Ribble PCT, Mrs. J. Scanlon, Manager RRT, Ms. S. Baxter, Clinical Governance & Audit Facilitator
Ian Pomfret SRN, NDN Cert, PWT, District Continence Adviser, Chorley & South Ribble Primary Care Trust. Article accepted for publication March 2002.