Catheter associated urinary tract infections Term Paper

Catheter associated urinary tract infections - Term Paper Example . The use of the urinary catheter has some side effects such as kidney failure or even weakening of the body’s general defense mechanism. The kidneys are responsible for filtering the urine so as to make urine, and when there is an infection, especially an untreated infection, it might lead to kidney failure. This tube is usually used when there a person cannot urinate on their own, and hence this tube is inserted to help drain the urine. It can also be used when there is need and essence to establish the amount of urine that a person’s body makes, especially when the person is hospitalized. The tube can also be used when carrying out kidney and bladder tests, and when performing some surgeries (Gotelli et al, 2008). This tube has been associated with urinary tract infections, with some of the signs of the infections being blood in urine, frequent but painful urination after the catheter has been removed and lower abdominal pain. The use of catheter tubes is at times co nsidered a risk to patient safety due to the high rate of infections. The tube provides a more direct access for bacteria and other infectious organisms into the bladder (Bernard, Hunter and Moore, 2012). The after and long term effects of the use of the catheter tube might be very adverse, and this necessitates the need for a solution, an alternative or an intervention. Intervention The adverse effects resulting from the use of the urinary tract catheter shows that there is need for intervention. In this case, the suggested intervention to aid in the reduction of the effects is proposed in several ways. The use of indwelling catheters use only follow after the patients records have been checked and it has been determined that it is a must for the catheter to be used (Bernard, Hunter and Moore, 2012). If there is another way of administering treatment without using the tube on the patient, then this should be adopted. It also follows that the catheter should be removed from the pati ent’s body as soon as possible to minimize the chances of infection. In addition, the direct staff and all nurses should ensure that they are properly trained on handling the catheter. This includes frequent and thorough washing of hands before and after handling the catheter. Gotelli et al (2008) clearly propose that the se of external catheters in intermittent urethral catherization might be part of the intervention. Urethral catherization is very sensitive and is among the leading causes of urinary tract infections. By the health staff gaining enough competence concerning how to handle and use the catheter, chances are that the cases of the infection might probably reduce. The doctors and other health staff have become too used to the urinary tract infections such that introducing the intervention might not be too easy (Gotelli et al, 2008). Competence Outcome and Performance Assessment model To investigate and potentially assess the interventions, the Competence Outcomes and Performance Outcome theoretical approach and framework shall be used. This model has been earlier on been applied in academic and non-academic institutions, and has succeeded in works environment, especially the health industry since it is encourages adopting the environment in contemporary living (Lenburg, 1999). It is a model that seeks not to change the traditional way of learning but to make learning, in all academic and