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Why you should read this article: • To refresh your knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the male urinary system • To familiarise yourself with the procedure for undertaking male urethral catheterisation • To understand how various issues that may occur during catheterisation can be addressed. Rationale and key points: This article provides a step-by-step guide explaining how to prepare for and perform male urinary catheterisation in a safe, effective and supportive manner. Nurses undertaking this procedure must ensure they have the knowledge and skills to do so and work within the limits of their competence. • Urethral catheterisation is an invasive procedure and carries a risk of infection. It should only be undertaken after thorough clinical assessment and when other alternatives have been considered. • The procedure can be anxiety-provoking for the patient, so the nurse should explain what is involved and proceed carefully, while keeping the patient informed throughout. • Due to the risk of catheter-associated urinary tract infection, it is important to regularly review the patient's need to be catheterised and the catheter should be removed as soon as practically possible. Reflective activity: 'How to' articles can help to update your practice and ensure it remains evidence-based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of: • How this article might improve your practice when planning and undertaking male urinary catheterisation. • How you could use this information to educate nursing students or your colleagues on the procedure for male urinary catheterisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why you should read this article: • To refresh your knowledge of the most common healthcare-associated infections and major sources of contamination • To consider how effective decontamination forms a vital aspect of infection prevention and control • To update your understanding of the benefits of applying human factors to nursing procedures to reduce human error. Effective decontamination is a vital aspect of infection prevention and control, and has a crucial role in reducing healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs). Various decontamination methods can be used in healthcare settings to ensure that medical devices, equipment and the clinical environment are safe. It is essential for nurses and other healthcare staff to have adequate knowledge of the decontamination methods and infection prevention and control practices required to prevent HCAIs. This article discusses the most common HCAIs, decontamination methods that can be used, and relevant UK legislation, policies and guidance. It also outlines nurses’ responsibilities in relation to infection prevention and control and the importance of education and training in this area, with a particular focus on integrating human factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than one in ten (13%) NHS patients in England have a catheter, research suggests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why you should read this article: • To familiarise yourself with the various types of indwelling urinary catheter available • To enhance your knowledge of potential complications of indwelling catheters, such as catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) • To understand the measures that you could implement in your practice to prevent CAUTIs Indwelling urinary catheters are considered an important healthcare intervention for many patients. However, these devices must be used with caution because they are associated with a risk of various potential complications such as catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), as well as a financial burden for healthcare organisations. This article outlines the various types of indwelling catheter that are available, explains the reasons for their use, and details the care required to prevent associated complications, particularly CAUTIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in hospital and community settings. The major risk factor for developing a UTI is having a urethral catheter in situ. The longer the catheter remains in place, the higher the risk of infection. The consensus in guidelines is that indwelling urethral catheters should not be used unless necessary and should be removed within 24 hours if possible. The care of patients and nursing home residents who are catheterised for long periods could be improved if guidelines were implemented fully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An interview with nurse practitioner Rebecca Keown at Liverpool Community Health National Health Service (NHS) Trust is presented. Topics covered include Keown's views with regards to the 2015 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) article titled "Preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infection," how the CPD article improved her nursing practice, and the relevance of the CPD article to The Code of nurses in Great Britain.

An interview with nurse Lucy Ward of the Southampton University Hospital in England is presented. Topics covered include her views with regards to a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) article about catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), the things she learned from the CPD article, and her efforts in improving her practice based on what she learned from the CPD article.

The article features the Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital in Houston, Texas, finalist in the American Hospital Association (AHA)-McKesson Quest for Quality Prize. Topics discussed include quality improvement projects such as staff education on catheters that led to 18 months without a catheter-associated urinary tract Infection (CAUTI) as of June 2016, its Mental Health Crisis Clinic-Spring Branch, and approach used to avert the closure of its Neighborhood Health Center.