katheterschonende

Katheterschonende is a German term used in medical contexts to describe approaches, practices, or policies that aim to minimize the use and duration of urinary catheters. The word combines catheter (Katheter) with schonend (gentle, sparing), and the adjective katheterschonende denotes care that preserves normal bladder function while reducing catheter-related risks.

In practice, katheterschonende care entails a set of strategies to avoid unnecessary catheterization, to remove indwelling catheters as soon as they are no longer needed, and to use alternatives when possible. Common measures include restricting catheter use to clear clinical indications, employing intermittent catheterization when appropriate, and utilizing external urine collection devices to avoid indwelling catheters. Emphasis is also placed on aseptic technique, closed drainage systems, and daily reassessment of the continued need for catheterization. Institutions may implement standardized order sets, checklists, and staff training to promote these practices.

The primary goal of katheterschonende care is to reduce catheter-associated complications, especially catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), along with related morbidity, hospital stays, and costs. It is often integrated into broader infection control and patient-safety programs, particularly in settings such as postoperative units, intensive care, geriatrics, and neurology, where catheter use may be prevalent.

Challenges include balancing the risk of urinary retention and the patient’s comfort with the desire to reduce catheter use. Successful implementation requires clinical judgment, ongoing monitoring, and staff education to ensure that catheterization is truly necessary and that alternatives are used when feasible.