Hi Kepi,
How did it go w/the nurse?
The source of infection could be relatively easily identified, urine can be cultured from the foley bag, vaginal swabs can be done, etc. Cultures take a few days to get back, the doc could start your mom on a broad spectrum antibiotic in the meantime, and probably a good idea to hit parasitic infections also, as foul smelling vaginal discharge can be related to parasites rather than bacteria (not likely, but possible)
Brenda is absolutely right, foley changes bring about increased risk of infection. The home health I worked for had a policy of every 4 weeks, which seems to be about standard- at least in my neck of the woods, (suprisingly, there are sometimes differing standards of care in different parts of the country). Either way, the removal and reintroduction of a foreign object always brings about the possibility for infection. Some doctors I have worked with even prescribed a low dose antibiotic as a prophylactic (preventative) measure. This is really considered more and more taboo these days, as the "super bugs" around are finding ways to be resistant to medications. However, generally, done right, foleys shouldn't present a problem. I have a patient that I have followed for years (as his case manager) with a foley, and has never had an infection, and have cared for several patients when doing direct patient care that didn't develop any urinary or kidney infections. Some people do seem more prone to UTI's, for reasons above the scope of my knowledge.
Andrea - wife of Pals Jim