iONMyCatheters.com - Blog

External Catheters And General Usage Guidelines

content — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 14:54:46 +0000

External catheters are ideal for male patients suffering from incontinence. These patients usually find it embarrassing when people find out about their condition. Men are more privy about their condition of incontinence than women, and a lot of companies have spent sizeable amounts of money on addressing this concern. As a result of all this research, companies have come out with external catheters for men. These can be worn on the penis just like a condom, are relatively safer than indwelling catheters and can be used without hampering the freedom of the patient.

Located just behind the pubic bone, the urinary bladder is a small round organ that holds excess urine. The bladder is connected to the penis through the urethral tract. When the bladder is full, the brain transmits a signal and prompts a person to void the bladder. However, in some neurological disorders, the brain is unable to transmit messages to the person to void. Such people develop incontinence and might pass out some drops of urine involuntarily. Catheterization is recommended for these people. While women are relatively more open to using intermittent catheters, men have shown a more marked tendency of being averse to using catheters. External catheters are best for those male patients, for whom concealment of the catheter is of utmost importance.

There are some basic guidelines that one must adhere to in order to ensure that external catheters are used safely and effectively. You should always wash your hands whenever they come in contact with the catheter. You should also wash the genital area frequently with betadine solution to prevent infection. You should always place the urine collection bag below the catheter in order to prevent the urine from accumulating in the catheter tube instead of the collection bag. Ideally, urine collection bags are tied to the patient’s leg. This not only hides the bag from the external world, it also ensures safe catheter usage.

You ought to fasten the catheter tubes securely against the thigh. If the catheter tubes are not secured in place properly, it might lead the catheter into slipping out of place and falling apart. This can lead to embarrassing situations and will defeat the purpose of using external catheters in the first place. Fasten the catheter in a way that there is some room for slack. This will ensure that the catheter tube doesn’t snap out from the joints. You should be extra careful while disconnecting the urine collection bag from the catheter. Ensure that your fingers are not too close to the end of the catheter tube as there might be some urine spillage while disconnecting the catheter.

External catheters are suitable for single-time usage and you should replace the catheters as per the frequency suggested by the physician. Most external catheters are made out of latex and using them is as comfortable as using a condom. Some modern external catheters are made from silicone and this offers an enhanced view of the catheter. External catheters are more convenient and safer than indwelling catheters, however, these can be more expensive than other types of catheters because of the frequent changes required.

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What Are Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)?

content — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 14:50:58 +0000

A catheter associated urinary tract infection (UTIs) is an infection introduced in the urinary tract due to improper catheter usage. A person may contract UTIs due to various reasons. Infections are generally caused by microbes such as bacteria, fungi and viruses. Such microbes may enter with the catheter at the time of insertion if the area around the urethra is not cleaned with a strong antiseptic. Ensure that the lubricants and water used to lubricate the catheters are free from allergens and microbes. The risk of catheter associated urinary tract infections (UTIs) is particularly high for people using indwelling catheters. This risk, however, is highly mitigated when using intermittent catheters over indwelling catheters.

Bacteria are the most common type of microbe known to cause catheter associated urinary tract infections (UTIs). The human body is designed to find and kill foreign microbes the instance they are detected. However, as the urinary tract is normally a sterile area, there is little to no natural defenses present and an infection can arise when bacteria finds their way inside. Inflammation in the urethra is generally known as urethritis and this is the most common kind of UTI. There are other places in the human urinary system that are susceptible to infection. The bladder and the kidneys are two other areas that are highly prone to contracting infections due to bacteria.

UTIs are the second most common type of infection found in adults and catheter associated urinary tract infections (UTIs) top the list of all UTIs. Most people contract UTIs due to anatomical reasons and if you are using a catheter for the first time, you ought to be very careful about taking precautions against UTIs. Patients are most susceptible to contracting catheter associated urinary tract infection (UTIs) during the first few instances of usage. UTIs that reach the bladder can remain with the patient for a lifetime. Thus, women, with shorter passage between the urethra and the bladder are more prone to contracting catheter associated urinary tract infections (UTIs) for a lifetime. Therefore, women should exercise extreme caution when inserting catheters. Consult a physician when in doubt.

People who have an abnormal urinary tract (due to injuries in the spinal cord, kidney stones etc.) are more susceptible to contracting catheter associated urinary tract infections (UTIs). Thus, before you start with catheterization, ensure that you have your renal organs checked by a certified practitioner. Certain catheters such as indwelling catheters can interfere with the body’s natural ability to void the body of microbes and bacteria, thereby increasing the risk of catheter associated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in patients. This is the primary reason why physicians tend to recommend intermittent catheters over indwelling catheters for their patients. So, if you feel that catheter associated urinary tract infections (UTIs) could be a potential issue, it is always better to employ intermitted catheters over indwelling catheters.

While most catheter associated urinary tract infections (UTIs) are treatable, some UTIs might lead to other complications. For instance, infections in the kidney can lead to a kidney malfunction, which might require the patient to undergo frequent dialysis. On the whole, catheter associated urinary tract infections (UTIs) can be prevented by keeping a few things in mind and treatment can be sought by visiting your urologist.

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Indwelling (Foley) Catheters

content — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 14:29:43 +0000

Any catheter that is inserted into the bladder and is allowed to remain inside is called an indwelling catheter. A Foley catheter is a special type of indwelling catheter and it is also the most popular type of indwelling catheter. Most people use the term Foley and indwelling interchangeably. Foley catheters have a balloon attached on one of its ends. The balloon is basically used as means to retain the catheter in place when the catheter is inserted into the bladder. The balloon is filled with sterile water and inflated such that holds the catheter inside the bladder.

While indwelling catheters are suggested to some patients, these are riskier to use than intermittent catheters. One has to be a lot more careful while using indwelling catheters since these are more prone to UTIs. Moreover, indwelling catheters can limit the movement of the patients to a large extent. There are certain guidelines that must be followed at all times when dealing with indwelling catheters. In this write up, we look at the suggested practices for using indwelling catheters.

You should always be regular with your medication schedule if you are suggested indwelling catheters. Medication might include antibiotics to counter internal infections. You should clean the genital at least thrice a day. Keep an eye on the amount of water you consume. It is very important that you drink at least 4000 cc of water each day in order for the indwelling catheter to function properly. You should only used sterile equipment while handling indwelling catheters in order to minimize the chances of infections. You should pinch the catheter daily for any signs of a grit inside. If you encounter a grit, you should immediately change the catheter. In an ideal situation, indwelling (Foley) catheters are good to go for 2-4 weeks. However, you should keep checking the condition intermittently in order to prevent complications.

You should never touch the catheter with bare hands, even if you have washed them in antiseptic and sanitized them. Using bare hands can be disastrous and can easily introduce germs into the urinary tract. Always wear a fresh pack of gloves every time you use the catheter. You should allow the night drainage tubing to be placed higher than your bladder. This is important to ensure that the urine doesn’t flow back into the bladder. Also ensure that you wear a leg bag while asleep.

Intermittent (Foley) catheters are suggested for those patients who require catheterization for a relatively longer term. Indwelling (Foley) catheters have some serious problems associated with them and one should try to avoid using indwelling (Foley) catheters. Rather, you should opt for intermittent catheters over indwelling catheters if your physician agrees to it. Indwelling catheters have a nasty reputation of causing UTIs whereas intermittent catheters are relatively safer. Indwelling (Foley) catheters also limit the movement of the patients to a large extent. Moreover, using indwelling catheters can be painful for some patients, especially men who have enlarged prostates. To sum it up, therefore, intermittent catheters are a lot better for regular use than indwelling (Foley) catheters and you should try to use intermittent catheters over indwelling catheters as much as possible.

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Catheter Removal: The Process And Its Intricacies

content — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 22:25:39 +0000

We all know how important it is to plant the catheter in the right place. While most people lay a lot of emphasis on the process of catheter insertion, some people tend to overlook the fact that catheter removal is just as delicate a process as insertion. You will not have to worry about locating the right path and the bladder while removing a catheter, but you will still need to be careful, gentle and precise in order to ensure that the patient doesn’t get hurt in the process of catheter removal.

There are two primary ways of removing indwelling catheters. The first method entails the use of a small syringe in the inflation port. The inflation port is on the side of the catheter. You should strive to draw out as much urine as possible using the syringe. Keep drawing out urine till it becomes impossible to draw more of it out. The second method involves cutting the balloon port altogether and allowing the liquid in the balloon to drain off by itself. You can choose any of the two ways. I personally prefer cutting the balloon port, this is a faster process. Once all the liquid is drawn out, you should start ejecting the catheter slowly, till it is completely removed from the urinary tract.

There are other methods of catheter removal as well. Some health insurance companies dictate the patients to completely cut off the inflation port tubing before this tubing reaches the catheter tubing. The inflation tubing is supposed to be cut off after the liquid has drained off. Once the liquid has completely drained off, start withdrawing the catheter with delicate hands. Catheter removal can be painful, especially if you have made use of lubricants other than water-based lubricants. Ideally, you should use pre-lubricated catheters for the simple reason that the lubrication stays on the catheters while they were inside the bladder. This ensures that catheter removal is a smooth process and there is minimal chaffing against the urinary tracts or the urethra. While cutting the inflation tube, be absolutely sure to not cut the catheter anywhere else.

While pulling the catheter out, ensure that you do not feel unnecessary pain in the urinary tract. Pain in the urinary tract could be a harbinger of urinary tract infections. Pain could also be due to internal injuries or due to the catheter getting stuck somewhere in the urinary tract. Whatever the reason, do not force the catheter out if the pain is unbearable. Under ideal circumstances, you should not have any problems in pulling the catheter out and it should be a smooth process. However, if you get a feeling that the catheter is getting obstructed, ensure that you call your physician immediately as there could be some other complications.

Once the catheter is completely out, you should dispose it off appropriately. Post the catheter removal process, you should observe your urination patterns. If you are not able to urinate within the first 8 hours of catheter removal, you ought to notify your physician. You should also notify your physician in case you have a swollen abdomen or painful renal organs. Apart from these pointers, there is nothing much to catheter removal and it is a simple process.

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Catheter Insertion: The Definitive Guide

content — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 22:24:01 +0000

Catheter insertion is one of the most crucial catheterization tasks. If inserted perfectly, catheterization is a breeze, but if the insertion goes wrong, it can wreak havoc for the patient. Improper insertion can lead to bruises in the urethra and even infection. Moreover, if catheter insertion is not carried out with precision, the catheter might not reach the bladder at all, thus rendering the whole exercise futile. In this write up, we look at some of the most important aspects of catheter insertions, the general guidelines and the common pitfalls.

Preparation

You should collect all the necessary catheter supplies before starting on with the insertion process. Keep everything in a first-aid kid and keep the kit at hand. Make sure you don’t have to leave catheterization mid-way to fend for necessary supplies. An ideal catheter supplies kit would comprise of the catheter, gloves, cleaning supplies, syringe with sterile water to inflate the balloon, lubricant, cotton and a couple bottles of antiseptics. You might want to keep an anesthesia at hand in case you are catheterizing for the first time.

For Men:

Clean your hands with betadine or some other kind of powerful antiseptic. Then use betadine soaked cotton swabsticks to wash the urethral area. Create a uniform coating of betadine on the urethral region. This will help in cleaning the point of insertion. Put on gloves, lubricate the catheter and get in position. Hold the penis perpendicular to the body and stretch it as far away from the body as possible. This will ensure that you get the maximum area to go ahead with the insertion. You should now be inserting the catheter gently. You might be faced with some resistance on reaching the point where the external sphincter lies. Keep pushing in gently in spite of the resistance. If the catheter is advancing, you are on the right track.

For Women:

While the basic process of insertion remains the same in the case of both men and women, it is slightly easier to insert catheters into women because of an easier insertion point. Locate the meatus and start with the insertion. The meatus is a point above vagina and below the clitoris. You would need to take the same set of precautions as mentioned above in order to ensure smooth catheter insertion in women.

Post-Insertion

By this time, the catheter should have hit the bladder and urine would have started flowing. Do not stop the insertion process here and keep inserting till the time you hit the Y-mark on the catheter. This is the point you should stop the insertion. Inflate the balloon once the catheter has been inserted up to the Y mark. The balloon would force the additional urine out of the bladder. Ensure that the catheter is inside the bladder and not in the urethra before you start inflating the balloon. Some people are known to have inflated the balloon while the catheter is still in the urethra. This can lead to internal injuries, possibly requiring surgery. Once you are sure that the catheter is in its place, secure the catheter and attach the drainage bag. This marks the end of successful catheter insertion.

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What is a Catheter and Catheter Guidelines

content — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 22:18:11 +0000

A catheter is a medical equipment used by physicians to help people suffering from incontinence. Catheters are primarily used by patients who are unable to void their bladder of urine for multiple reasons. A catheter might be connected to an external urine collection bag to store the urine. There are primarily three types of catheters with multiple sub-types: indwelling catheters, intermittent and external catheters. Each of these types is designed for a specific use, serves a specific purpose and has a specific set of guidelines for use. In this write up, we would be exploring these types and the common catheter guidelines.

Intermittent catheters are the most frequently used catheters. These are ideal for almost every incontinence condition and are best suited to those patients who need to void their bladder once in a while. Intermittent catheters are inserted into the bladder externally for shorter durations. Indwelling catheters, on the other hand, are ideal for patients who require long term catheterization. These are also inserted into the bladder and might remain inside for a relatively longer period of time. External catheters are male-specific and are worn on the penis like a condom. Thus, external catheters are safer than the other two types, but their usage is currently limited to male patients only.

Since catheters are inserted into the body, catheterization always carries the danger of infection with itself. One needs to be extremely cautious while administering catheters into the human body, women are more susceptible to infections, while men find it more difficult for the catheters to navigate through their urinary tracts. In essence, therefore, catheterization can be a tricky process irrespective of the gender of the patient. There are some common catheter guidelines that should help you in overcoming the risks and in ensuring comfort for the patient.

The choice of the catheter is an important decision to ensure the efficacy of catheterization. The size (diameter in the French Scale), the materials used (silicone, latex, PVC) and the category of catheter (indwelling, intermittent or external) should be discussed with your physician before settling in for the catheter. Inserting the catheter is the most painful process. Is is also the most complicated process and you should proceed with extra caution while inserting the catheter.

Catheters have been modified over the years to un-complicate the process of insertion and ejection. Catheters with bent tips have been rolled out to suit the needs of the patients with an abnormal/enlarged prostate. Most modern-day catheters are pre-lubricated. You should read about the types of lubricants (hydrophilic, external lubricants, oil based lubricants etc.) and choose the one that suits you the best.

Apart from these catheter guidelines, you should also ensure that you have all your catheter supplies at hand before starting on with catheterization. You don’t want to be running up and down for vital supplies like gloves, underpads, tubes, urine collection vessels etc. at the time of catheterization. There are other catheter guidelines pertaining to the usage of anesthesia and other medical intricacies that are best left to the discretion of a certified medical practitioner.

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Catheter French Scale Sizes

content — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 22:16:13 +0000

The catheter French scale sizes are most commonly used to measure the diameter of the catheter tip. The French scale is the universal scale used to denote the size of a catheter the world over. The catheter French scale is one of the easiest scales to use. 1 Fr= .33 mm, thus, if you want to convert the size of the catheter from Fr to mm, you simply have to divide the figure by 3. The simplicity and the universal acceptance of the French scale have made it irreplaceable.

If you have been suggested catheterization, you ought to understand and know the catheter French scale sizes in order to use the perfect catheter for your specific needs. For instance, a catheter having the size as 12 FR will be having a diameter of 4 mm. Traditionally, there have been two scales of measuring the size of a needle- the French scale and the needle-gauge scale. While a larger size corresponds to a larger diameter in the French scale (devised by Joseph-Frédéric-Benoît Charrière) it is the reverse in the needle-gauge scale.

The size of the catheter is the most important factor for catheterization. Most people are privy of their incontinence and prefer using concealed catheters. Foley catheters and external catheters are perfect examples of catheters developed with the sole purpose of lending concealment. Most men tie the urine bag with their legs and wear it under their clothes. However, if the catheters you are using are slightly longer than the ideal size, you might not achieve 100% concealment. Similarly, if the size is too small, you might start to feel uncomfortable with the catheter over a period of time. Catheters that are small in diameter can slip put of the urethral passage without voiding the bladder completely. Similarly, catheters that are too huge in diameter will not travel through the urethral tract easily, causing friction and a probable injury. Thus, one ought to be very careful about the length and the diameter of the catheters in picture in order to ensure comfort and efficiency. While the length of the catheter tube can be measured with a regular measuring tape, the diameter of the catheter requires the use of the catheter French Scale Sizes.

Most catheter companies manufacture catheters that range from French size 6 to French size 16. Ideally, this range covers all the possible types of incontinence patients. You should always consult a physician about the measurement and the type of catheter that you should use. For instance, if you have been regularly using the straight tip catheter in size 10 Fr, you might need to upgrade the size to 12 Fr if you move to the coude tip catheter eventually. Thus, the ideal French size of the catheter might vary for the same person depending upon his condition (an enlarged prostate might require smaller catheter size), the type of catheter being used and even the brand of the catheter.

There could be some variation in the ideal size depending upon the material of the catheter. Pre-lubricated silicone catheters in size 10 are known to deliver the same results as latex/PVC catheters of size 12. In the end, the catheter French scale sizes are dependent primarily on the comfort level of the patients.

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How Does A Straight Catheter Tip Work?

content — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 22:13:48 +0000

In order to appreciate the functioning of the straight catheter tip, we must know the process of catheterization in detail. Catheterization is the process of draining excess urine from the bladder by use of external equipment. People suffering from certain medical/physical disorders might require catheterization. For instance, those with an enlarged prostate or those who are on the wheelchair find it difficult to frequent the toilet and sit on the toilet seat to void themselves. Such people find catheters immensely useful. Catheterization is the best work around for incontinence and catheters are probably the most widely used medical supplies in the world today.

Using catheters is typically an easy process. However, incorrect catheter usage entails the risk of infections, especially in women. There are three broad categories of catheters: intermittent, indwelling and external. While external catheters are specific to men and are not inserted into the bladder externally, intermittent and indwelling catheters are actually planted inside the bladder to force-empty it. The process of insertion can be painful for some patients, especially for men with enlarged prostates. To make the insertion easier, catheter companies started experimenting with the “tip” of the catheters. The “tip” is the narrow end of the catheter that goes in the urethra first. It is also the part that is planted inside the bladder in order to void the bladder.

There are two types of catheter tips: the coude (bent) tip and the straight catheter tip. Most practitioners recommend using the straight tip purely because of the relative ease of use compared to the coude tip. Having said that, the straight catheter tip is the most preferred tip for indwelling and intermittent catheters.

The trickiest part of administering catheters is the insertion. One must be absolutely sure of the orientation of the tip right before the insertion. An incorrect orientation will not only harm the urethral tracts, but can also lead to complications within the bladder. In some extreme cases, an ill-oriented tip is found to have caused internal injuries to patients, necessitating surgery to fix things. Therefore, one ought to be extremely cautious at the start of the catheterization process. This is the stage at which most mistakes happen and one should be slow and gentle at the time of the first prick.

Straight catheter tip is ideal for patients who do not have urology related disorders. People with urological disorders can have a slightly obstructed urethral path, thus requiring the bent tip. However, people who are in need of catheterization due to reasons like being on a wheelchair or due to a suggested bed-rest should always go for the straight catheter tip. This will ensure that the risks are minimized and catheterization is achieved without too many complications. Before using the straight catheter tip, you should always use an antiseptic coating around the urethral region. Drab the urethral lining using a piece of cotton soaked in iodine, this will ensure that no external microorganism is transmitted into the urinary tract along with the catheter. Keeping all these things in mind, you should be able to make the best use of your straight catheter tip during your self-catheterization.

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Coude Catheter Tip

content — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 22:08:52 +0000

A coude catheter is basically a type of catheter in which the tip is bent. The word “Coude” is French for bent. There are certain ways in how a coude (curved) catheter tip works over a straight tip. Moreover, using a coude (curved) catheter tip requires more skill than does a straight one. Hence, it is suggested that you seek the advice of a medical professional prior to self-catheterization. However, should you be experienced at self-catheterization, then it makes sense to understand the working and the anatomy of the coude tip.

In order to understand the need of giving a bend to the tip, we must first look at the way a catheter tip works. A catheter tip is the first point of insertion. A catheter is inserted from the tip and pushed through the urethra into the bladder. The biggest problem with using a coude (curved) catheter tip is that you can never be sure about the efficacy of the bend. The tips are manufactured in a number of different ways there is not much uniformity in the way the bents are given to the tip. Thus, for instance, the bend might not actually suit you.

The main purpose of a coude catheter tip is to make the insertion easier. The bent tip actually makes its way through the curvature of the prostate. This can be tough to achieve using a straight tip catheter, especially in the case of men with enlarged prostates. A coude (curved) catheter tip might also come in handy for administering catheters through the urinary tracts of women.

While coude tip catheters are intended to offer easy penetration, its slight curvature presents a more difficult mean of maneuvering within the urinary canal. The bent tip, if inserted incorrectly, or if pushed too hard, can cause injuries to the urethral passage. Thus, coude (curved) catheter tip should be handled with utmost care. You should always seek the advice of a professional medical practitioner before using coude tip catheters. This will ensure two things: first, that the catheter is administered safely and second, that you learn the process properly for self-catheterization at a later stage, if required.

Another important aspect of using a coude (curved) catheter tip is using the precise size. Coude tip catheters are available in sizes ranging from French size 6 to French size 26. While you can afford to go haywire with the size of a straight tip catheter, straying on the size of coude tip catheters can spell doom.

While a coude tip catheter is the best option for those having enlarged prostates, inserting the catheter might be much harder than you first expected. If such an eventuality arises, you may qualify to receive medical procedures like inserting followers to guide the catheter as well as a cystoscopy through the urinary passage. These procedures are designed to make way for catheters by squeezing the muscles in the urethral passage. If blockage persists even after inserting a follower, you ought to consider using a smaller sized coude (curved) catheter tip in order to make your way into the urethra.

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Types Of Catheter Tips And Their Usage

content — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 21:59:04 +0000

Catheter tips play an important role in deciding the functionality and the usability of a catheter. Over the years, catheter manufacturers have perfected the art of producing catheters. Catheters have been modified and tweaked to such an extent over the years, that today, one can find a catheter for almost every specific disorder. While the majority of innovations in catheters have been with respect to the materials used and for enhancing the comfort of the patients, there have been some re-structuring of the catheter tips as well. In this write up, we look at how exactly different catheter tips work.

There are primarily two types of catheters based on the type of the tips: curved tip catheters and straight tip catheters. While straight tip catheters are the preferred ones, curved tip catheters are suggested for some patients. Generally men with an enlarged prostate are suggested curved tip catheters because inserting catheters with curved (also known as “Coude”) tips is easier in men with enlarged prostates.

In order to understand the basic differences in the anatomy and function of curved and straight tip catheters, we must first look at the way in which catheters work in general. In the crudest form, the term “catheter” refers to a tube that can be inserted into the human body. Generally, when we refer to a “catheter”, we refer to urethral catheters. Urethral catheters are inserted into the human body and planted inside the bladder to void of any reminiscent urine. Catheterization is required by those who, for any reason, find it difficult to urinate manually. Thus, people on wheelchairs, having certain urethra related disorders or those in coma require frequent catheterization.

There are primarily three categories of catheters: Indwelling catheters, intermittent catheters and external catheters. External catheters are male specific and are never inserted into the human body. These are worn onto the penis like condoms and hence, there are no catheter tips involved in using external catheters. Intermittent catheters are the ones most widely used. These are ideal for those patients who require catheterization from time to time. Intermittent catheters are inserted into the bladder through the urethral lining. Similarly, indwelling catheters are the ones that remain inserted for longer periods of time. These also require insertion and are inserted in almost the same way as intermittent catheters.

Generally, catheters work the same way for both men and women. The catheter is inserted through the urethra. The initial prick is made using the tip of the catheter. The catheter is then pushed up the urethral channel till it reaches the bladder. Once the catheter reaches the bladder, urine starts flowing through one or more lobes of the catheter. This is where one should stop the insertion and inflate the balloon (balloons are found primarily in Foley Catheters, but they might be present in other types of catheters as well) to force the excess urine out. Some men find the insertion extremely difficult and painful. This usually happens to a blocked urethral passage due to an enlarged prostate. Coude catheter tips can alleviate the pain by making leeway through the space. On the other hand, straight catheter tips are easier to work with.

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