Female catheterisation: what nurses need to know!

Urinary catheter insertion is a common procedure used in the management of hospitalised and community based patients. Nurses need to be aware of the associated complications of catheterisation in order to practice safely and minimise the risks to the patient. This article is a practical guide for nurses who will be involved in female catheterisation, from decision to catheterise, choosing the type and size of catheter, and tips on catheter care and how to avoid the most common problems associated with catheterisation.