Bacteriuria during indwelling catheter drainage. II. Effect of a closed sterile drainage system

Fifty-one abacteriuric patients requiring prolonged catheter drainage were studied with a new closed sterile drainage system including a nonreturn valve designed to limit reflux of urine from collection bag to drainage tube. Twenty-eight patients remained abacteriuric during the entire period of catheter drainage. In 20 of 27 instances of bag contamination, a delay of at least 24 hours was noted before bladder urine became infected. Closed sterile drainage of the urinary bladder is effective in preventing catheter associated urinary tract infections for short periods. Ascending infection throngh the lumen of the drainage tube is the major pathway by which bacteria infect bladder urine.