J Korean Acad Fundam Nurs.  2008 Nov;15(4):449-456.

Effects of Meatal Care in Reduction of Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infection for Elderly Patients in the ICU

• Shin JS
• Sohng KY

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of meatal care with 10% betadine or with normal saline on the incidence of urinary tract infection (UTI) for elderly patients with indwelling urinary catheter in the ICU. METHOD: A quasi experimental design with non-equivalent control group was used. The 37 patients who participated in this study were 65-year-old or older. Patients in the saline group (n=20) received meatal care with normal saline and those in the betadine group (n=17) received meatal care with 10% betadine once a day for 6 days. Urine cultures were done on the 7th day for both groups to detect UTIs.
RESULTS
No difference was observed in the incidence of urinary tract infection between the two groups, regardless of patients' gender, ability to communicate or history of operation.
CONCLUSION
The results indicated that use of saline which is cheap and does not irritate the mucous membrane is effective in preventing UTI within the first 7 days, and can be used instead of betadine for meatal care for elderly patients with indwelling urinary catheter in the ICU.

Keyword

Elderly; Urinary tract infection; Intensive care unit

MeSH Terms

Aged
Humans
Incidence
Intensive Care Units
Mucous Membrane
Povidone-Iodine
Research Design
Urinary Catheters
Urinary Tract
Urinary Tract Infections
Povidone-Iodine