What percentage of hospitalized patients receive an indwelling Foley catheter?

What percentage of hospitalized patients receive an indwelling Foley catheter?

• A. 5% To 10%
• B. 60% To 70%
• C. 12% To 25%
• D. 30% To 50%

Answer: (C)

Indwelling Foley catheters are commonly used in hospitalized patients, but not for the majority. In general inpatient populations, the proportion with a catheter at some point during a stay typically falls in the low-teens to mid-20s. That makes 12% to 25% the most plausible estimate across all hospital inpatients. Rates are higher in specific units like the ICU or after certain surgeries, but across all admissions they don’t reach the much higher ranges. The other options either under- or overestimate typical usage, since most patients do not require a catheter.

Indwelling Foley catheters are commonly used in hospitalized patients, but not for the majority. In general inpatient populations, the proportion with a catheter at some point during a stay typically falls in the low-teens to mid-20s. That makes 12% to 25% the most plausible estimate across all hospital inpatients. Rates are higher in specific units like the ICU or after certain surgeries, but across all admissions they don’t reach the much higher ranges. The other options either under- or overestimate typical usage, since most patients do not require a catheter.