Description
The available literature seems to indicate that silver-coated catheters are more effective than uncoated catheters. Catheters have found ready application in the medical field. Their application can be found in dressing wounds, and development of urinary and intravenous solutions. However, studies that have been performed to compare the effectiveness between silver-coated and uncoated catheters seem to have different findings. This review will evaluate the inconsistencies and other key differences that exist on this subject.
Caudill, T. (2005). Reduction in catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) using a silver-coated all-silicone Foley catheter versus a silver-impregnated latex Foley catheter in a southeastern U.S. long-term acute care facility. American Journal of Infection control, 33(5), 60
The study was conducted in a 49 bed long-term acute care facility in the Southeastern U.S. and seems to suggest that silver coated catheters are more effective than non-coated catheters. The article also contains a cost analysis of the silver versus non-coated catheters. Caudill recommends further investigation of silver-coated all silicone Foley catheters as they could have more benefits compared to other silicon coated models.