Catheter-associated urinary tract infections
Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are the cause of a great number of indwelling catheter problems, including catheter blockage due to encrustation. The bladder is normally, in the non-catheterised patient, sterile, but the presence of an indwelling catheter allows microorganisms to gain access to the urinary tract. This is either via the catheter lumen or the extraluminal route (along the outside
of the catheter), when the surface is contaminated either by hand contact or from the patient’s perineal microorganisms (Loveday et al, 2014).