The use of a clinical algorithm for urinary catheterization.

Urinary catheterization is undertaken for a number of clinical conditions. Debate continues as to whether clinicians use catheters appropriately following thorough assessment or if they sometimes catheterize as it makes for easier clinical management. This article looks at the nursing process concerning safe and clinically relevant catheterization. PCTs have local algorithms for effective catheterization, an example of which is given here. Mention is made to the correct catheterization technique, with a look at commonly available catheter types.