| Catheter |
A thin, soft tube that is placed in the urinary bladder and attached to a bag that collects the urine. It may be inserted into the bladder of people who lose control of their bladder or cannot use a toilet (for example, someone in a coma.) Catheters also may be used because the urine does not drain naturally, to keep pressure sores that are not healing clean and dry, or to measure the amount of urine being produced.
A catheter should only be used when it is medically necessary. Using a catheter may result in complications, like urinary tract or blood infections, physical injury, skin problems, bladder stones, or blood in the urine.
|
| Certified (Certification) |
State government agencies inspect health care providers, including home health agencies, hospitals, nursing homes, and dialysis facilities, as well as other health care providers. These providers are approved or “certified” if they pass inspection. Medicare and Medicaid only cover care given by providers who are certified by Medicare. Being certified is not the same as being accredited.
|