Indwelling urinary catheters: accurate monitoring of urine output.

Caring for patients who have an indwelling urinary catheter is a common feature of clinical nursing practice in the acute care environment, which for some patients is essential to their medical management. However, evidence suggests that in many cases catheterization may be unjustified, exposing the patient to a significant risk of acquiring a urinary tract infection, which extends length of stay and imposes an extra burden of care and cost. Improving the care for these patients depends on good education, implementation of best practice, adequate resources, and effective devices and treatment. This article focuses on a clinical, unbiased review of a new product for the accurate monitoring of urine output.