Urinary catheters are among the most frequently used devices in acute and long-term care — and among the most consequential. Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) account for more than 93,000 infections annually in U.S. healthcare facilities, driving millions in preventable costs and significant patient harm. Selecting the right urinary catheter supplies and implementing evidence-based CAUTI prevention protocols is therefore both a clinical and financial priority.
Types of Urinary Catheters
Foley (Indwelling) Catheters remain in the bladder for continuous drainage. They consist of a double-lumen tube — one channel drains urine, the other inflates the retention balloon (5 mL for adults, 3 mL for pediatric). Standard adult sizes range from 14 Fr to 24 Fr; most adult patients use 16 Fr. Foley catheters should be reserved for patients who genuinely require continuous drainage — unnecessary indwelling catheter use is the single greatest modifiable CAUTI risk factor.
Intermittent (Straight) Catheters are inserted to drain the bladder and immediately removed. For patients who can tolerate intermittent catheterization (e.g., neurogenic bladder, post-surgical urinary retention), this approach dramatically reduces infection risk compared to indwelling catheters. Hydrophilic-coated intermittent catheters — which activate with water to create a lubricated surface — reduce urethral trauma and are associated with lower UTI rates in long-term users.
Coudé Tip Catheters feature a curved tip designed to navigate the prostatic urethra in male patients with BPH or urethral stricture. They are available in both Foley and intermittent configurations.
Three-Way Catheters add a third lumen for continuous bladder irrigation, used post-TURP and for clot evacuation.
Suprapubic Catheters are inserted directly through the abdominal wall into the bladder, used when urethral access is not possible or appropriate.
Catheter Materials: Silicone vs Latex vs Latex-Free Coated
Material selection matters for both patient comfort and CAUTI rates. 100% silicone Foley catheters are the gold standard for long-term indwelling use (>4 weeks). Silicone is biocompatible, latex-free, and resists encrustation better than latex. For short-term use (≤7 days), latex catheters with silicone or PTFE coating are widely used. For patients with confirmed or suspected latex allergy, silicone-only or vinyl catheters are mandatory.
CAUTI Prevention: The Supply Side
Beyond catheter selection, CAUTI prevention requires the right ancillary supplies: closed sterile drainage systems, securement devices that reduce urethral trauma from catheter movement, daily meatal care products, and bladder scan devices that eliminate unnecessary catheter insertions. Healix stocks complete CAUTI prevention bundles including drainage bags with anti-reflux valves, catheter securement devices from Bard and C.R. Bard, and portable bladder ultrasound units.
Sizing and French Scale
The French (Fr) scale measures catheter outer diameter; 1 Fr = 0.33 mm. For adult females, 14–16 Fr is standard. For adult males, 16–18 Fr. Pediatric catheters range from 6–12 Fr. Using the smallest effective catheter size reduces urethral trauma and irritation.
Procurement Considerations
High-volume facilities — SNFs, rehab hospitals, urology practices — benefit from standardizing on 2–3 catheter SKUs and purchasing through a bulk supplier. Healix offers case-quantity pricing on Foley catheter kits, intermittent catheter sets, and drainage bags from BD, Cardinal Health, Medline, and Teleflex. Submit a bulk pricing inquiry with your monthly usage and we'll provide a quote within 24 hours.
Browse our complete urological supplies catalog or contact our team at (888) 585-6510.