Urinary catheter routine care and urinary tract infection among patients with diabetes mellitus

Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common chronic diseases that lead to life-threatening complications if left untreated or uncontrolled. Patients with diabetes are more likely to gain infections. The most common type of these infections is urinary tract infection (UTI), which consequently leads to serious complications. Aim The aim of the study was to assess the urinary catheter routine nursing care and the occurrence of UTI among patient with DM. Research design A descriptive exploratory design was used. Setting Surgical, Neurology, and Orthopedic departments in a hospital affiliated with Cairo University Hospitals, Egypt. Patients (a) Sixty adult male and female patients with a confirmed diagnosis of DM on the first day of short-term urethral Foley catheter installation and presenting no signs and symptoms of UTI. (b) Twenty-seven nurses were assigned to provide routine catheter care for the selected patients. Tools of data collection Four tools were used: Tool (I): Patient Demographic and Medical Data Form, Tool (II): Nurses Demographic and Work-Related Data Form, Tool (III): Urinary Catheter Routine Care Observational Checklist, Tool (IV): Urinary Tract Infection Assessment Sheet. Results The study showed that all studied nurses did not prepare the necessary equipment and secure the drainage tube to the bed sheet, and the majority of the studied nurses did not perform daily assessments for Foley catheter needs and provide daily perineal care according to hospital protocol. The most common manifestation of UTI reported among the study participants was itching and a burning sensation around the urethral opening. The infection rate between the study participants was 66.7%. Conclusion The routine nursing care of urinary catheters in patients with diabetes was unsatisfactory. The most common UTI manifestation reported by studied patients was itching, a burning sensation around the urethral opening, and pain in the pubic area. Recommendation Provide periodic assessment of the urinary catheter care applied by nurses to improve their practice, as well as close monitoring of the presence of any manifestations of UTI. Implementing a training program regarding urinary catheter care and replication of the study.