Rationales for foley insertion

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I'm not sure if this problem is unique to my floor or not, but the second certain aides discover a pt has become incontinent they demand that nurses insert a foley and become hostile if you do not get an order to do so.

I seem to recall that incontinence is not a reason to catheterize a pt. Anyone else heard this or have an opinion???

If the pt already has skin breakdown it may be a good reason, but foley catheters increase the risk of UTI.

It seems to me as thought the Aides don't want to be bothered with going in and checking the pt on their 2 hour rotation (at least that is the rotation I have always known) I personally would have to set them straight if they began to get hostile or mouthy simply because you would not get an order for a foley and let them know just who it is that went to school and who knows when a foley cath is appropriate . :-)

Specializes in LTC, home health, critical care, pulmonary nursing.

What the ????? I'm a CNA, and I'd rather change the incontinent person than have a foley inserted. Because that's what is best for the patient. Perhaps a reminder that doing what is best for the patient is priority and not what will get us to our lunch break on time is in order.

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

I would be real careful of what is actually going on when they do their 2hr turns. My guess is they wouldnt be quite as quick to insist on a foley if they were actually DOING the turns every 2 hrs. If you have to turn the patient anyway, whats 2 more minutes with a clean incontinent pad. You might check your catheterized patients, dont go by their documentation, keep your own. See what their position is, note it and go back in 2 hrs and see if they are repositioned. I bet they arent.

Specializes in LTC, home health, critical care, pulmonary nursing.
I would be real careful of what is actually going on when they do their 2hr turns. My guess is they wouldnt be quite as quick to insist on a foley if they were actually DOING the turns every 2 hrs. If you have to turn the patient anyway, whats 2 more minutes with a clean incontinent pad. You might check your catheterized patients, dont go by their documentation, keep your own. See what their position is, note it and go back in 2 hrs and see if they are repositioned. I bet they arent.
If we're talking hospital setting, I just have to say, Q2h turning? Ha! I work in LTC, and my first question about a new admission from the hospital is how many decubs are we looking at?
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