Indwelling Urinary Catheters – Preventing Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI)

What is an indwelling urinary catheter?

An indwelling urinary catheter is a thin, flexible tube that is placed through the urethra into the bladder to collect and drain urine. A small balloon may be inflated at the end of the tube in the bladder to help it stay in place. A Foley catheter is a type of indwelling urinary catheter. They can be used in various situations, including:

To check how much urine is being made
When patients are not able to move for extended periods of time
For certain types of surgeries to keep the bladder empty and allow for healing
With certain types of medications
To help with healing of certain types of wounds near the buttocks

What is a catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI)?

Indwelling urinary catheters are helpful in taking care of your child, but they can increase the risk of infections when germs grow in or on the catheter and travel to the bladder. When an infection occurs, it is called a catheter-associated urinary tract infection or CAUTI. A CAUTI can be serious, and treatment may require extra medications or a longer hospital stay.

How can this be prevented?

Your care team will check the indwelling urinary catheter for signs of infection every day. We also take additional steps to prevent infections, including:

Washing our hands and/or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer as we enter and exit the room and before any procedure
Using a special soap on the skin before inserting the catheter
Careful handling and positioning of the catheter, the tubing and the collection bag
Emptying the collection bag frequently
Checking with your child's healthcare team every day to see if the catheter is still needed
Helping you and your child with holding and positioning to be sure the catheter stays secure.

How should I care for my child?

Caregivers and patients also play a role in preventing CAUTIs:

Wash your hands with soap and water, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when you enter and leave your child's room
Wash your hands with soap and water:
- Before and after you prepare food, eat, or feed your child
- Before and after you use the bathroom or change a diaper
Ask visitors to wash their hands when they enter and exit your child's room.
Do not allow visitors to touch the catheter, tubing or collection bag.
Help make sure your healthcare team wash their hands before and after handling the catheter. Do not be afraid to remind them to wash their hands!
Keep the catheter clean when changing the diaper. Always clean from where the catheter enters the body outward or away from the body. NEVER wipe upward as this could sweep bacteria up into the urethra and cause infection.
Help make sure the collection bag is always below the level of your child's belly button. Ask your child's nurse for help if you see the collection bag on the floor.
Make sure your child’s catheter is secure when picking up, holding, or helping them around the room. If you would like help getting your child out of their crib or bed, notify your nurse to make sure the catheter is secure during transfer.

Questions?

This is not specific to your child but provides general information. If you have any concerns about your child's indwelling urinary catheter, or the way it is cared for, talk to your child's healthcare team.

Reviewed by Infection Prevention 2/2025

This page is not specific to your child, but provides general information on the topic above. If you have any questions, please call your clinic. For more reading material about this and other health topics, please call or visit Children's Minnesota Family Resource Center library, or visit www.childrensmn.org/educationmaterials.