From the Guidelines
A suprapubic catheter site infection is typically characterized by signs of exit-site infection, including erythema, induration, and/or tenderness within 2 cm of the catheter exit site, which may be associated with other signs and symptoms of infection, such as fever or pus emerging from the exit site, with or without concomitant bloodstream infection 1. The diagnosis of a suprapubic catheter site infection is based on clinical and microbiological criteria, including the presence of exudate at the catheter exit site that yields a microorganism, with or without concomitant bloodstream infection 1. Some key points to consider when diagnosing and managing suprapubic catheter site infections include:
- Monitoring for signs of infection, such as increasing redness, warmth, pain, purulent discharge, fever, or systemic symptoms 1
- Maintaining good hand hygiene before handling the catheter, keeping the site clean and dry, and changing dressings regularly to prevent infection 1
- Using sterile or clean technique for catheter insertion and maintenance to reduce the risk of infection 1
- Considering the use of hydrophilic catheters, which may be associated with improved patient satisfaction and reduced risk of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CA-UTI) 1
- Being aware of the potential advantages and limitations of suprapubic catheterization, including lower risk of CA-bacteriuria and reduced risk of urethral trauma, but also increased risk of bleeding and visceral injury during catheter insertion 1
From the Research
Signs of Suprapubic Catheter Site Infection
The signs of suprapubic catheter site infection are not directly mentioned in the provided studies. However, some studies mention symptoms related to urinary tract infections, which may be relevant:
- Symptoms of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs) include urinary urgency, hematuria, dysuria, suprapubic discomfort, and increased frequency 2
- Urinary tract infection rates are compared among different catheterization methods, including suprapubic tubes, in the postoperative setting 3
- The management and care of suprapubic catheters are discussed, including the importance of patient education, but no specific signs of infection are mentioned 4
Related Infections and Treatments
Some studies discuss treatments and antibiotic resistance related to urinary tract infections and other infections:
- Antibiotic resistance patterns are reported for patients with cUTIs, including resistance to various antibiotics such as ceftazidime, cefepime, ceftriaxone, and ciprofloxacin 2
- The treatment of peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis is discussed, including the use of antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin and cefazolin 5
- The treatment of Acinetobacter infections is discussed, including the use of antibiotics such as carbapenems, polymyxins, and tigecycline 6