Inappropriate use of urinary catheters in patients admitted to medical wards in a university hospital.

INTRODUCTION The prevalence and predisposing factors were determined for inappropriate urinary catheterization (UC) among inpatients in medical wards. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted including all patients aged ≥ 18 years admitted to medical wards in a 1300-bed tertiary-care centre, and who had a urinary catheter in place on the day of the survey. RESULTS Of 380 patients observed, 46 (12.1%) had a urinary catheter in place. Twelve of them (26.1%) were inappropriately catheterized. The most common indication for inappropriate UC was urine output monitoring in a cooperative, non-critically ill patient. Inappropriateness was associated with increased age, poor functional status, urinary incontinence, dementia, and admission from a long-term care facility. CONCLUSIONS Further educational efforts should be focused on improving catheterization prescribing practices by physicians.