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These guidelines advise health professionals and providers on preventing infections associated with the use of short-term indwelling urethral catheters. They are based on the best critically appraised evidence currently available. The type and class of supporting evidence explicitly linked to each recommendation is described. All recommendations are endorsed equally and none is regarded as optional. These recommendations are not detailed procedural protocols and need to be incorporated into local guidelines (Pratt et al, 2007). These guidelines advise health professionals and providers on preventing infections associated with the use of short-term indwelling urethral catheters. They are based on the best critically appraised evidence currently available. The type and class of supporting evidence explicitly linked to each recommendation is described. All recommendations are endorsed equally and none is regarded as optional. These recommendations are not detailed procedural protocols and need to be incorporated into local guidelines (Pratt et al, 2007). The guidance applies to adults and children aged one year and older and should be read in conjunction with the guidance on Standard Principles (articles 1 and 2 in this series). The recommendations are divided into five distinct interventions: • Assessing the need for catheterisation; • Selection of catheter type and system; • Catheter insertion; • Catheter maintenance; and • Education of patients, relatives and healthcare workers