Urinary catheterisation can play a vital role in managing bladder dysfunction and improving quality of life for many people. However, it is not without risks, and evidence suggests that catheters are often used inappropriately or kept in place longer than necessary, putting people at risk of infection, discomfort, and reduced quality of care, especially if they also lack capacity.
At Catheter-In-Situ, we believe better education and training for health and social care professionals is key to improving resident outcomes and tackling what experts have referred to as “catheter apathy.”
The Current Challenge: Overuse and Delayed Removal
Every year, around 17 million patients are admitted to NHS England hospitals, and approximately 1 in 5 are catheterised. Yet, studies show that 20–50% of catheterisations lack a clear documented indication.
In 2021 it was estimated around 34,500 of care home residents live with an indwelling catheter in the UK, with an estimate of 25% having no clear clinical reason recorded for its use.
This highlights a worrying trend: even when catheterisation is appropriate, catheters are often not removed promptly when no longer required. The longer a catheter remains in place, the higher the risk of complications such as urinary tract infections, urethral damage, reduced mobility and increased risk of hospital admission.
The Role of Education in Tackling “Catheter Apathy”
So why is inappropriate catheter use so common? One of the biggest contributing factors is a lack of consistent training for Healthcare professionals.
Bladder and bowel care, despite being a fundamental of nursing according to the NMC, is not mandatory training for registered nurses in England, and there is significant variation in the training provided.
This gap in education has created what some experts call catheter apathy – a culture where catheters are often inserted without full consideration of alternatives, and without a clear removal strategy in place. Many Healthcare professionals also lack the confidence to challenge the continued use of indwelling catheters, fearing potential negative outcomes if they are removed.
Additionally, the taboo around bladder and bowel care means the topic is often avoided, both by patients and health and social care professionals. Without proper training and confidence, those caring for people with indwelling catheters may not feel equipped to ask the right questions, as they lack the knowledge of normal bladder function and the clinical indication of catheterisation so feel unable to explore alternative solutions.
Why Catheter Training is Essential
High-quality catheter training empowers health and social care professionals to:
- Develop clear catheter management plans, including timeframes for removal
- Challenge unnecessary catheter use confidently, improving resident safety
- Promote continence care, reducing reliance on catheters where possible
When health and social care professionals are trained and confident it boosts staff motivation and performance. This will ultimately result in your residents receiving better care with fewer infections, less discomfort, and improving their dignity and quality of life.
How Our Catheter Training Can Help
At Catheter-in-situ, we offer comprehensive catheter training designed to upskill health and social care professionals and tackle the issues outlined above. Our training is designed to:
- Break down the taboo around bladder and bowel care
- Improve clinical decision-making when it comes to catheter use
- Provide practical guidance on insertion, maintenance, and problem solving
- Empower Health and social care professionals to advocate for patients, improving overall care standards
Our training ensures you and your team are equipped with the knowledge and confidence to make evidence-based decisions that protect residents.
The Bottom Line
Catheterisation is a valuable clinical intervention, but only when used appropriately. Education is the key to reducing unnecessary catheter use, preventing complications, improving residents outcomes and job satisfaction amongst your staff.
If you’re ready to enhance your team’s skills and ensure the highest standards of care, get in touch with us today to learn more about our catheter training services.
