1.  Before placing an indwelling catheter, please consider if these alternatives would be more appropriate:

• Bedside commode, urinal, or continence garments:  to manage incontinence. 
• Bladder scanner: to assess and confirm urinary retention, prior to placing catheter to release urine.
• Straight catheter: for one-time, intermittent, or chronic voiding needs.
• External “condom” catheter:  appropriate for cooperative men without urinary retention or obstruction.

 2.  Before placing an indwelling catheter, does the patient have one of the following appropriate indications* for placing indwelling urinary catheters? 

• Acute urinary retention:  e.g., due to medication (anesthesia, opioids, paralytics), or nerve injury
• Acute bladder outlet obstruction: e.g., due to severe prostate enlargement, blood clots, or urethral compression
• Need for accurate measurements of urinary output in the critically ill
• To assist in healing of open sacral or perineal wounds in incontinent patients
• To improve comfort for end of life, if needed
• Patient requires strict prolonged immobilization (e.g., potentially unstable thoracic or lumbar spine, multiple traumatic injuries such as pelvic fracture)
• Selected peri-operative needs:
  • Urologic surgery or other surgery on contiguous (adjacent) structures of the genitourinary tract
  • Anticipated prolonged duration of surgery (Note: catheters placed for this reason should be removed in PACU)
  • Large volume infusions or diuretics anticipated during surgery
  • Need for intraoperative monitoring of urinary output 

*For full text of these guidelines please see this link.