by Jim
(USA)
Urinary (Foley) catheters are the leading cause of hospital infections. Per studies overuse of Foley catheters is estimated at 21% to 50%. Continued inappropriate use (forgotten Foley) is estimated at 40% to 50% of the time. A Foley catheter is standard for many surgeries that do not need them. A Foley has numerous health and safety hazards, pain and discomfort, etc. About 80% of hospital urinary tract infections are caused by Foley catheters. As high as 30% of male urinary catheter use causes injuries. Foley catheters are not a treatment or cure for incontinence. If you are going in to a hospital take precautions to ensure you are not unnecessarily catheterized. Some caregivers are abusive and not discreet. A Foley can cause moderate to severe distress and embarrassment in some patients. A Foley can be removed without a nurse exposing and touches the patient. The patient can be in the seated position wearing a hospital gown, boxer shorts, etc; the balloon can be deflated by a nurse and the catheter will just come out without exposing or touching a patient. A patient can remove his or her own Foley using a scissors, See video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruNWGrE7wvw
Other Foley info: http://www.patientmodesty.org/catheterizations.aspx https://www.catheterout.org/ https://www.fortherecordmag.com/archives/102212p22.shtml
