Evaluation of Daily Meatal Care with Poly-Antibiotic Ointment in Prevention of Urinary Catheter-Associated Bacteriuria

Abstract

Meatal care with a poly-antibiotic ointment twice daily was evaluated in a prospective, randomized, controlled study of patients with temporary indwelling urethral catheters. Bacteriuria was acquired in 14 of 214 patients treated (6.5%), compared to 16 of 214 patients not given treatment (7.5%). The rate of bacteriuria was slightly lower in the treated than in the untreated group by each of 4 different statistical methods. In a subset of female patients at high risk, a significant reduction in the rate of bacteriuria in treated patients was found by 1 method of analysis. These results contrasted with previous studies in which meatal care, using nonantiseptic soap and water or an iodophor solution and ointment, was predisposed to bacteriuria in high risk female patients. The benefit, if any, of meatal care with poly-antibiotic ointment appears to be small.