Postoperative Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary catheters, thin tubes that drain urine from the bladder, are an integral part of the care you’ll receive before, during and/or after surgery. Knowledgeable health care professionals often consider them a necessary evil.

Causes

• Even if you have a urinary catheter in place for a short period of time, you’re still at risk for a post-operative urinary tract infection (UTI) if the tube introduces bacteria into your normally sterile bladder.

Effect

• If you have foul-smelling or bloody urine, need to urinate more frequently, or have pain with urination after surgery, you may have a post-operative UTI. If the infection isn’t treated promptly, you may develop a fever or feel very weak.

Tip

• If you are female, pregnant or malnourished, you’re at higher risk for a post-operative UTI. Diabetes and other chronic diseases also increase your risk.

Warning

• According to the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), the risk of developing a UTI goes up by 5 percent for every day the catheter stays in your bladder.

Expert Insight

• Don’t hesitate to advocate for early removal of your catheter. APIC says catheters are not appropriate for incontinence (lack of bladder control), immobility, obtaining urine specimens, or close monitoring of intake and output unless you’re in the ICU.