Question

why is it important to aviod touching a urinary cath with bare hands before inserting into ureter?

Answer 1

Urinary Catheterization:

The procedure of introducing a catheter into the urinary tract through urethra for draining the urine , to collect a sample of urine or to administer a drug.  

It is important to avoid touching a urinary catheter with bare hands, otherwise It may cause cross infection. Touching anything such as catheter, solution etc, that goes into urethra, urinary bladder or Ureter can cause Catheter associated urinary tract infections. Catheter associated urinary tract infections are one of the most common nosocomial infection in the United States. Aseptic conditions have to maintain during the procedure. The indwelling catheter should be sterile and healthcare workers have to be careful, not to introduce any infection causing microorganisms into the patient's body. Thorough Hand washing before and after the procedure is necessary and the healthcare worker have to wear gloves for the procedure. In case of self insertion of a catheter at home environment, the person should maintain hand hygiene and should not touch the tip and the part of catheter that goes into the urinary tract.