Foley vs Straight Cath

[JenNJFLCA]

Hi everyone,

I am a new nurse on a surgical tele floor. I was wondering which has a higher risk of infection: a foley or straight cath.

Would it be the foley because it's indwelling, thus keeping the bladder "open" to the risk of outside bacteria at all times?

Or the straight cath because of the constant in-and-out of the bladder (I know when people do this at home it's usually not a "sterile" procedure)?

Thanks for your help!

[Melina]

I would think the straight cath would have a more of a risk, if only because there is a new chance for contamination with every insertion. I'm only making an educated guess, though.

[NurseyBaby'05, BSN, RN]

Both increase your risk for UTI, but the foley is greater. Think of the tube as a fast track for bacteria to the bladder.

A lot of patients don't use serile technique @ home and it's OK. They're in their own environment with their own flora. Everyone's flora is all over the hospital. Their home is not full of sick people like the hopital. A lot of times when we get patients who straight cath themselves @ home we ask to do it for them while they are in the hospital for that reason. Most are OK with it.