Urethral catheter safety valves

Summary

A urinary catheter is a flexible tube used to empty the bladder and collect urine in a drainage bag. An incorrectly positioned urethral catheter, with subsequent inflation of its anchoring balloon in the patient’s urethra, is a frequently encountered complication that can lead to debilitating long-term comorbidities. A urethral catheter safety valve may be used during insertion of the catheter to prevent accidental inflation of the anchoring balloon within the urethra.

Health Technology Wales researchers searched for evidence on the clinical and cost effectiveness of urethral catheter safety valves.