Selecting a urinary catheter and drainage system.

Selecting the most appropriate urinary catheter and drainage system is an important factor towards patient comfort. Inappropriate selection may introduce an array of unnecessary catheter-associated problems and discomfort for the patient. The author has found that nurses may be able to name or recognize catheters they use, but not other makes and models of similar products produced by other companies. Therefore, selecting a catheter and drainage system can be confusing due to the vast array of catheters, materials used and drainage systems available from various companies. Consideration should also be given as to when catheter care begins: before or following catheter insertion. This article is written to help in the selection of a urinary catheter and drainage system which is best suited for the patient.