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

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.