To catheterise or not?
It is not appropriate to catheterise a person who is incontinent following stroke, unless indicated to relieve urinary retention or when fluid balance is critical (National Guidelines for Stroke for the UK and Ireland 2023 (section 4.11 Continence), without first trying to identify the cause of the incontinence.
Catheters can:
- Cause infections
- Cause trauma
- Decrease the person’s bladder function
- Prevent recovery of a person’s bladder function, cause embarrassment and other psychosocial effects
The decision to catheterise and what type of catheter should be discussed with the multi disciplinary team and the person, if appropriate.
There are occasions when catheterisation is the correct course of action:
- If the person’s skin is becoming damaged as a result of incontinence
- If the person is in urinary retention
Page last reviewed: 17 Jul 2023
