Device launched to prevent catheter-associated UTIs

Ideal Medical Solutions has launched a product aimed at preventing painful catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infections, which tit claims can save the NHS millions of pounds each year.

UroShield is a device that clips onto any catheter and generates vibrations with ultrasound, which the company claims can not be felt by the patient. It prevents the build-up of bacteria to form a biofilm, which is responsible for dangerous infections and has been shown to be effective in clinical trials in the US.

Chris Ogden, a urologist in the UK, said: “UroShield is having brilliant results in patients struggling with recurrent UTIs and catheter blockages, relieving some of their catheter-related pain, discomfort and bladder spasms. It’s helping to improve quality of life, giving some people more confidence to be out and about without worrying about spontaneous catheter-related complications.”

It’s estimated that each year, around 90,000 Britons are living with a long-term indwelling catheter, statistically many of whom will develop infections which can be life-threatening. Catheter-Associated UTIs, known as CAUTIs, cost the NHS millions of pounds each year, with a single episode given by NICE Guidelines as £1968. This is due to many factors such as hospital admissions, nights spent in hospital, doctor and nurse time, antibiotics, lab cultures and any associated complications.