MANAGING THE FOLEY CATHETER

Urethral catheterization of the bladder is a commonly performed but po tentially hazardous procedure. With proper patient preparation and cat heter selection, difficult catheterizations can be accomplished withou t injuring the patient. Complications of catheterization include infec tion, injury to the urethra or bladder, and catheter malfunction. Phys ician supervision of catheter care is essential. Most of all, prompt r eplacement of the urethral catheter with an alternative method of blad der drainage, such as spontaneous voiding, external condom catheteriza tion, clean intermittent catheterization or, possibly, suprapubic cath eterization, is the best way to prevent the complications of urethral catheterization.