The catheter is used by patients with urinary difficulties due to an illness, injury or infection. You should only enter it if it has been advised to you by your doctor and, if possible, it would be best to have a member of the medical staff handle the procedure. However, if you have to proceed at home, get all the necessary material and follow the right technique, paying particular attention to the sterility protocol; later, you can address common catheter-related problems so that it performs its function at its best.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Collect the Materials You Need
Step 1. Purchase a catheter
Most people need a French 12-14 gauge catheter; you can find a Foley model at health supply stores, online, and at pharmacies.
- Pediatric patients and adults with a particularly small congenital urethra may not tolerate catheters of this size; in that case, you switch to a French 10 gauge or even smaller.
- If you have a urinary tract obstruction, it is best to consult a professional; if so, you may need a large three-way catheter for bladder flushing and it is important to know how to graft it without pressing on the obstruction itself. This is a complex procedure for individuals who have not received appropriate training and is not suitable for self-catheterization.
- Some models are sold in kits that also include the antiseptic solution to be poured on the tube to sterilize it. Follow the instructions in the package to make sure the product is hygienically safe before inserting it; also check the expiration date.
- While using a catheter may not be easy at first, things get more natural with each day's routine.
- If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact a nurse who is experienced in incontinence problems.
Step 2. Purchase enough to use one catheter every time
Most catheters are disposable, as they must be sterile before insertion; these models are sold in single packs, a detail that allows you to use them and then throw them away without problems.
Some can be washed with soap and water; talk to your doctor before trying to sanitize your device in this way
Step 3. Buy a water-based lubricant
You need to apply it on the tip of the tube and make it flow better; the lubricant makes it easier to insert the penis and you need to make sure it is sterile. You should not use what is sold in large packages (e.g. in jars), as once opened it must be thrown away because it cannot be reused. Opt for single-dose sachets.
Make sure it is water based as it is less irritating to the urinary tract
Step 4. Have a urine container available
You need a bag or other container to catch the pee coming out of the tube; you can use a small but deep plastic container or a catheter-specific bag.
Step 5. Use a large towel or waterproof crossbar
You should place a towel under your body to absorb urine or water during the insertion process; if you have a waterproof crossbar to sit on, use it.
Step 6. Get medical gloves
Always wear them when inserting and removing a catheter; hands must be clean and protected during the procedure. You can buy gloves at pharmacies, online and in health device stores.
Urinary retention exposes the patient to risk of infection; inserting non-sterile material into the urethra almost certainly leads to the development of infections. It is best to use specific gloves and follow a strict hygiene protocol
Part 2 of 3: Insert the Catheter
Step 1. Wash your hands with soap and water
The first thing to do is to take care of hand hygiene; afterwards, you can put on gloves and take the catheter out of its wrapping.
- Before unpacking the device, make sure your hands are clean, as well as the workspace; you must choose an area of the house that is free from obstructions, such as the bathroom floor (but make sure it is clean).
- It is important that your hands are clean before putting on gloves because touching them with dirty fingers will only contaminate them.
Step 2. Sit down
You must assume the sitting position with the legs bent and put the towel or waterproof crossbar under the penis; you should be able to comfortably access the genitals with both hands.
You can also decide to stand in front of the toilet if you can reach and hold the penis in this position; you can also direct the end of the tube into the toilet so that urine flows directly into it
Step 3. Clean the genital area
Wash your penis with warm water, soap, and a washcloth. Gently rub in circular motions; if you are not circumcised, retract the foreskin and wash the glans.
- Remember to wash the tip of the penis and the urinary meatus, the small hole where urine comes out.
- When finished, rinse and dry carefully; keep the urine container close to your thigh for easy access.
Step 4. Apply lubricant to the catheter
Grab the upper section of the tube and lubricate the first 18-25 cm with the water-based product; in this way, you reduce the discomfort during insertion.
Step 5. Go slowly
Use your non-dominant hand to hold the penis straight in front of you, so that it forms a 60-90 ° angle with your body; grasp the catheter with your dominant hand and slide it slowly into the urinary meatus, the small opening at the tip of the genitals.
- Insert the first 18-25 cm of the tube by pushing gently; when the urine begins to flow out of the catheter, you can continue for another 2.5 cm, holding it still until you are finished excreting the pee.
- Make sure the other end of the tube is in the container or toilet so that urine can be collected and disposed of properly.
Step 6. Inflate the balloon over the catheter, if present
Some devices are equipped with a balloon that must be inflated with a sterile needle after inserting the tube; if so, take a syringe and inject 10ml of sterile water into the balloon. The volume of water to be used may vary by model, so check the instructions on the package.
You can connect the bag to the tube so that it collects urine; the balloon remains on the urethral opening of the bladder in order to collect the pee in the correct way
Step 7. Remove the catheter immediately after emptying the bladder
You should proceed as soon as you have peed, as staying the tube in the urethra can cause problems. To proceed, you must close the free end by pinching it with your dominant hand and gently pull the catheter; keep the tip pointing upwards so that the pee does not drip out.
- If you have connected the bag, you should remove it and throw it in the trash.
- If you are not circumcised, you can release the foreskin to protect the glans.
- Take off your gloves, throw them away and wash your hands carefully.
Step 8. Clean the catheter
If it is a reusable model according to the manufacturer's directions, you should wash it with warm soapy water after each use. You should also sterilize it to avoid infection by placing it in a pan of boiling water for 20 minutes. At the end of the sterilization, let it dry in the air by placing it on a layer of absorbent paper; then place the tube in a plastic bag.
- If it's a disposable device, throw it in the trash and get a new one for the next time you need to urinate; you should discard any catheter that appears worn, hardened or cracked.
- Based on your doctor's advice, you may need to use the device at least four times a day for proper urine expulsion.
Part 3 of 3: Dealing with Common Problems
Step 1. If urine does not come out, twist the tube
Sometimes the pee doesn't flow when you insert the catheter; if so, you can try rotating it as you slide it down the urethra. Make slow movements to remove any possible obstructions, you can also try to push it another 2-3 cm or pull it lightly.
- You should also make sure that the catheter opening is not blocked by lubricant or mucus; to understand this you have to take out the tube.
- If your urine doesn't flow even after turning, try coughing to help urinate.
Step 2. Apply more lubricant if you are having difficulty inserting
Sometimes, you may experience discomfort or pain during the procedure, especially when trying to get beyond the prostate. for this reason, you should use a larger dose of lubricant to help the process.
Take a deep breath and try to relax as you slide the tube; if you still encounter resistance, do not force the catheter, wait about an hour and try again trying to concentrate to stay calm and relaxed
Step 3. If you are unable to urinate or have other urination problems, see your doctor
If you can't pee even with the help of a catheter or if you have other difficulties, such as blood or mucus in your urine, you should call your doctor.
Also contact him if you develop abdominal cramps, if the urine is cloudy, foul-smelling, dark, or if you are feverish. you may have some urinary tract problem that needs to be treated before trying to use the catheter again
Step 4. Undergo catheterization before sexual intercourse
You can have a normal sex life even if you use this device; if you plan to have intercourse, insert the tube to empty the bladder and remove it before the sexual act. If the urine is foul-smelling or concentrated, do not have sex until you are treated for a possible infection.
