[Urinary tract infections--occurrence, causes and prevention].

Urinary tract infections are frequently a result of insufficient urinary drainage. Abnormalities of the urinary tract, bladder and/or urethral dysfunction and bad voiding habits often lead to poor bladder emptying. Foreign bodies in the urinary tract increase the risk of urinary tract infections. In hospitals the primary risk factor is instrumentation of the urinary tract mainly by catheterisation. It is important to diagnose the causes of possible insufficient drainage. The use of catheterisation should be clearly indicated and documented in the patient's medical records.