Approximately 450 000 people use long-term urinary catheters in the UK. Permanent catheters are used by 3% of the community population and occupy an estimated 4% of a district nurse's caseload in the UK. Catheterisation is defined as 'drainage or aspiration of the bladder or urinary reservoir' and can be intermittent or indwelling. Long-term indwelling catheterisation can be transurethral or suprapubic via the anterior abdominal wall. This article will discuss the safe and effective use of different forms of catheterisation for patients in the community setting.
Keywords: Catheters; Community; Indwelling catheterisation; Intermittent catheterisation; Urinary catheterisation.