Urinary catheter tubing clean and reduce UTI, any suggestions?

My dad has been plagued with infections as well. A new group of nurses added alcohol cleaning to help reduce site infections. We use gloves and try our best but we can't seen to eliminate them. I like the other suggestions and may try adding some vitamins. Our new nurses are shocked by the number of uti's dad has had. I will keep reading this post to gain more suggestions.

My Mom has had a foley for 3 years now and only one infection. Before the foley no matter what I did she would have infections. I use a product called Senicare, it is a spray for perineal cleansing. She takes cranberry pills 4 times a day, Dmannose 2 times a day and 1000mg of vitamin C. Like the others have said alcohol the tubing well when changing. I use vinegar and very hot water to soak the the bags between changing. All I can say is that it has been wonderful for my mom.

I found this product called catheter sleeve, will keep the tubing clean, anyone did use it?

Moondance, I have noticed numerous times where you answer a question with "contact you privately" then list your medical credentials. I don't understand the point of this. Why would you not just share what experiences or ideas you have for all to see? personally i would be very leary contacting you, to me it seems like you don't want anyone to disagree with what you are saying and/or share your info. i just don't get it? I don't need a response, just got tired of seeing your secret answer to a simple question.

Difficult subject~feel free to contact me privately please.
I am a medical professional & Have several medical degrees, certifications & keep up on mostly everything.

My dad has a catheter due to a stroke and has had it for 3 years. We use disposable leg bags and have them changed once a week since he is in assisted living. Make sure to dry the emptying point with an alcohol wipe and that the catheter is closed tightly. We have his catheter changed monthly by home health care and will periodically check him for a UTI. We have caught a couple UTIs early and treated quickly. Good luck and hope you find a solution.

We wipe the end of the drain and the cap with alcohol each time the bag is emptied. Also he is visited by a home health nurse every week who changes the bag and monitors him for infection. My dad needs the catheter because he is unable to empty his bladder fully and that causes infections. Depends are not an option. I only wish they were, they are much easier to deal with than a catheter.

Is the catheter nec or just convenient? In the hospital we just used soap and water to clean around where the catheter was inserted. If it isn't absolutely nec I would dispense with it and use depends. Many drs won't consider them for long term these days because infections are inevitable. Be very careful when emptying the catheter. Do not let the end of the drain touch anything if possible because germs can go up the tubing to the bladder.