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Metas de Enfermería

Metas de Enfermería

FEBRERO 2005 N° 1 Volumen 8

Infections of the urinary tract in hospitalised elderly patients with a bladder catheter

Section: Hands on

How to quote

Ortega Martínez Y. Infecciones del tracto urinario en ancianos hospitalizados y portadores de sonda vesical. Metas de Enferm feb 2005; 8(1): 16-18

Authors

Yolanda Ortega Martínez

Position

Diplomada en Enfermería.

Contact address

C/ Vía Favencia, 203, 4º, 1ª. 08042 Barcelona.

Contact email: yolanda.orma@wanadoo.es

Abstract

Infections of the urinary tract are the most common type of nosocomial infection in the elderly and are frequently associated with the catheterisation of the bladder. The main micro organisms that cause infections of the urinary tract are gram-negative bacteria, being escherichia coli the most common type. Some of these bacteria favour the development of incrustations that can obstruct catheters. The duration of the catheterisation is directly related with the development of nosocomial infections. The typical symptoms associated with urinary infections are seen less commonly in the elderly. Nursing interventions for the prevention of urinary infections in hospitalised older patients include: selection of the appropriate catheter, placement of a catheter with a complementary aseptic technique, use of a closed circuit, revision of the indications for the catheterisation, shorter catheterisation time, and patient as well as family education for the care.

Keywords:

urinary infection; bladder catheterisation; elderly patients; nosocomial infectioninfection prevention

Versión en Español

Título:

Infecciones del tracto urinario en ancianos hospitalizados y portadores de sonda vesical