Which safety practice reduces catheter occlusion and infection?

• A. Open Drainage System and Frequent Disconnections
• B. Maintain a Closed Drainage System, Secure the Catheter, and Avoid Unnecessary Disconnections
• C. Reuse Catheters
• D. Disconnect Daily

Answer: (B)

Maintaining a closed drainage system with secure catheter placement and few unnecessary disconnections reduces both infection risk and the chance of blockage. A closed system keeps the urine path sterile from bladder to collection bag, so bacteria have fewer opportunities to enter and form biofilms that can lead to infection. Securing the catheter prevents movement and pulling, which can cause kinking, traction, or displacement that blocks flow or irritates the tract. Avoiding unnecessary disconnections keeps the sterility intact and the drainage path uninterrupted, whereas opening the system or frequently reconnecting introduces contaminants and disrupts drainage. Reusing catheters or disconnecting daily would unnecessarily expose the system to infection and increase the likelihood of occlusion. So, the best practice is to keep the system closed, secure the catheter, and minimize disconnections.