Study: 0% Increase in Infections with Reusable Catheters

By VirentaNews Staff — May 20, 2026

Reusable catheters are just as safe as single-use alternatives, with no increased risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), according to a major UK-based clinical study. The research, involving over 1,000 patients across multiple care settings, challenges long-standing assumptions that disposable devices are inherently safer. By demonstrating equivalent clinical outcomes, the findings suggest a significant opportunity to reduce healthcare costs, lower medical waste, and curb unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions linked to perceived infection risks—offering a data-driven case for reevaluating national catheter policies.

No Rise in Infections with Reusable Devices

Published in The Lancet, the study followed 1,052 patients using intermittent catheters over a 12-month period, comparing infection rates between those using sterile, single-use catheters and those using cleaned, reusable hydrophilic-coated models. Results showed a UTI incidence of 1.8 episodes per person-year in the reusable group versus 1.7 in the disposable group—a statistically non-significant difference (p=0.67). Crucially, there was no increase in antibiotic-resistant infections or serious adverse events in either cohort. The trial, funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), met all primary safety endpoints and demonstrated that proper cleaning protocols—using recommended detergent and drying techniques—effectively prevent microbial contamination. These findings directly contradict historical guidelines that have favored disposables based on theoretical rather than empirical risk.

Key Players in Policy and Procurement

The study was led by researchers at the University of Southampton and conducted in partnership with NHS Trusts in Hampshire, Kent, and Greater Manchester. The team collaborated with the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which currently recommends single-use catheters for most patients due to infection concerns. Medtronic and Coloplast, two leading medical device manufacturers supplying the NHS, have long dominated the disposable catheter market, collectively accounting for over 70% of UK procurement. However, reusable models—such as those made by EnableU and LoFric—have gained traction among sustainability advocates and cost-conscious clinicians. The new evidence is expected to prompt NICE to revise its guidance, potentially opening the door for broader adoption of reusable systems. Meanwhile, NHS England’s Sustainable Development Unit has already identified catheter waste as a priority area, estimating that over 30 million single-use catheters are discarded annually, contributing to 1,200 tonnes of plastic waste.

Cost, Sustainability, and Antimicrobial Trade-Offs

Switching to reusable catheters presents a compelling value proposition. While a single-use hydrophilic catheter costs the NHS between £3.50 and £5.00, a reusable equivalent costs approximately £35 upfront but can last up to 12 weeks with proper care—translating to potential savings of up to 80% per patient annually. For the estimated 250,000 long-term catheter users in the UK, this could yield NHS savings exceeding £20 million per year. Beyond economics, the environmental impact is substantial: each reusable catheter replaces over 300 disposable units, significantly reducing carbon emissions and clinical waste. Equally important is the antimicrobial stewardship angle—unnecessary antibiotic use driven by fear of infection contributes to rising resistance. By confirming that reusables do not increase infection risk, the study removes a key justification for prophylactic prescribing, aligning with the UK’s 20-year antimicrobial resistance strategy.

Why the Timing Is Critical

The study’s release coincides with heightened pressure on the NHS to meet net-zero targets by 2040 and reduce reliance on single-use plastics. In 2023, the UK government introduced new sustainability mandates for all public health procurement, making cost-effectiveness and environmental impact central to purchasing decisions. At the same time, global supply chain disruptions have exposed the fragility of just-in-time medical inventory, particularly for disposable devices dependent on overseas manufacturing. Reusable catheters, which can be locally cleaned and maintained, offer greater resilience. Moreover, patient advocacy groups—including the Spinal Injuries Association—have long argued that reusable options empower individuals with greater control and dignity. With clinical evidence now firmly supporting safety, the convergence of fiscal, ecological, and clinical priorities has created a rare policy window for systemic change.

Where We Go From Here

In the next 6 to 12 months, three scenarios could unfold. First, NICE may issue updated guidance endorsing reusable catheters for select patient groups, triggering pilot programs across NHS trusts. Second, NHS Supply Chain could revise its procurement framework to include reusable models as first-line options, accelerating adoption. Third, if institutional inertia prevails, frontline clinicians and patient-led initiatives may drive grassroots change, bypassing formal policy through local commissioning decisions. The trajectory will depend on how swiftly regulators reconcile decades of precautionary doctrine with new evidence. However, with antimicrobial resistance, cost containment, and climate commitments all at stake, the momentum appears to be shifting. International bodies such as the World Health Organization have already recommended reusable catheters in resource-limited settings—now, high-income nations may follow suit.

Bottom line — the clinical validation of reusable catheters represents a rare win-win-win: improved sustainability, reduced healthcare spending, and stronger antimicrobial stewardship, all without compromising patient safety.

Source: MedicalXpress