You should periodically flush a Foley catheter to clear it of contaminants and prevent it from clogging. Do this gently, using sterile material and normal saline.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Prepare the Spray Solution
Step 1. Wash your hands
Use soap and water to wash them thoroughly for at least 15 seconds. Dry them with a clean paper towel when you're done.
- If necessary, you can alternatively use alcohol-based hand sanitizer or wet wipes.
- You also need to clean the counter with spray disinfectant or wet wipes. Let it air dry before using it.
Step 2. Clean the upper end of the bottle containing the saline solution
Remove the plastic cover that covers it and disinfect it with an alcohol swab.
- Rub the rubber stopper for at least 15 seconds. The goal is to make it as clean as possible before continuing.
- When handling the bottle with the saline solution, you only have to touch the glass on the outside. Do not put your fingers on top or inside.
Step 3. Attach the needle to the syringe
Twist and insert a sterile needle into a sterile syringe, squeezing it as tightly as possible.
- Use only a sterile sealed syringe with catheter tip. If you want to use clean syringes and needles that have been opened previously, you must have the doctor's authorization.
- Keep the needle cap on when inserting it into the syringe. Remove it only after the two pieces are joined.
- Make sure the needle and syringe remain sterile. Do not let the tip and base of the needle or the tip of the syringe come into contact with your skin or anything else.
- If you are using a needle that is already inserted into the syringe, make sure it is securely attached by trying to rotate it. A safe needle shouldn't move.
Step 4. Fill the syringe with air
Hold it steady with one hand while pulling the plunger back with the other. Pull until you have filled the syringe with 10ml of air.
- Note that the black rubber ring on top of the plunger should stop on the syringe notch next to the "10 ml" mark.
- In most cases, you should be drawing in 10ml of air. However, your doctor may instruct you to use a different amount depending on the circumstances.
Step 5. Release the air into the bottle containing the saline solution
Insert the needle into the rubber cover. Press the plunger while pushing the syringe air into the bottle.
You should push the needle all the way into the bottle and hold the syringe upright
Step 6. Suck the solution into the syringe
Turn the bottle upside down, then pull the plunger back. Keep pulling until you have filled the syringe with 10ml of saline.
- Keep the needle inserted into the rubber lid of the bottle the entire time. Do not remove and reinsert.
- The needle should stay below the liquid level inside the bottle while you do this. Keep it from coming into contact with the air inside.
- As before, the black rubber ring on top of the piston must stop in the notch next to the "10 ml" mark.
- If your doctor prescribes a different amount, follow their instructions.
Step 7. Eliminate the air bubbles
Tap the syringe to release any air bubbles, then push the trapped air back into the bottle by carefully pressing the plunger.
- Keep the needle inserted into the bottle as you complete this step.
- You need to hold the syringe upright (with the needle pointing up) while checking for air bubbles. Tap the syringe barrel with your knuckles to release trapped air. This must rise upwards and stop near the needle coupling.
- Once all the air has collected there, you can push the plunger. Keep pushing until it is back into the bottle.
- If necessary, reinsert the needle tip into the saline solution and pull the plunger back to refill the syringe with the desired amount.
Step 8. Put the needle away
Take it out of the bottle and put the protective cap back on. Keep it until next use.
- If you don't have a cap on hand, place the needle in a sterile container. It must not come into contact with non-sterile surfaces.
- Work carefully and make sure you don't accidentally prick yourself while adjusting the hood.
Part 2 of 2: Flush the Catheter
Step 1. Clean your hands
Wash them in warm soapy water, scrub well for at least 15 seconds, then pat them dry with a clean paper towel.
You need to wash them again even if you have already done so while preparing the syringe
Step 2. Clean the catheter
Rub the connection between the catheter and the drainage tube with an alcohol swab, cleaning the area for 15-30 seconds before continuing.
Air dry. Don't use towels and don't try to speed up the process by blowing or using a fan
Step 3. Prepare the area
Insert several towels under the fitting that joins the catheter to the tube. Also place a basin under the open end of the catheter connection.
This will be used to collect urine and other fluids from the catheter while you flush it
Step 4. Separate the catheter from the tube
Gently detach it from the drain tube by twisting it.
- Quickly, cover the end of the tube with a sterile lid to keep it clean. Set the tube aside for now.
- Place the catheter over the basin you just prepared. However, do not allow the open end of the catheter to touch the basin.
Step 5. Insert an empty syringe
Put an empty sterile syringe into the open end of the catheter. Pull the plunger back to check for urine.
- If no urine comes out of the catheter, you can continue with the next step.
- You must use the syringe to eliminate urine, if it is present inside the catheter. Clean this up as best you can.
Step 6. Change syringe
Remove the empty syringe from the catheter and insert one containing a saline solution.
- If the needle is still inserted, remove it before inserting the syringe graft into the catheter.
- Make sure you don't touch the graft.
- Rotate the syringe on the catheter cap until it stops.
Step 7. Transfer the solution
Slowly press the plunger and fill the catheter with the contents of the syringe. Work carefully and stop at the first sign of resistance.
- Generally it is preferable to proceed by alternating a push with a pause. Press down on the plunger to insert 2ml of saline into the catheter, then pause for a few seconds. Push another 2ml into the catheter, then stop again. Continue to do this until all the contents of the syringe have been inserted.
- Don't force it. If you encounter resistance, it is best to call a nurse or doctor for help. It may be necessary to use a different technique to perfuse, but it is also possible that the catheter needs to be replaced.
Step 8. Pull out the syringe
Squeeze the end of the catheter while removing it from the cap with a twisting motion.
If the catheter has a clamp, close it after pulling out the syringe
Step 9. Let the solution drain
Let gravity drain the residues of urine and saline solution into the basin you had prepared.
You may need to hold the end of the catheter open above the basin for a few minutes to make sure everything is drained
Step 10. Clean
Clean the graft and insert the tube back into the catheter. Wash your hands when you're done.
- Use an alcohol swab to clean the area where the syringe and catheter came into contact. Air dry naturally.
- Remove the lid from the drainage tube and rub the end of the tube with another wipe soaked in alcohol. Again, let it air dry naturally.
- Insert the tube into the catheter. Check after 10-15 minutes that the urine is flowing properly.
- Discard the syringes and needles used in the process in a stiff, puncture-proof bin.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water. Dry them with clean paper towels when finished.
- As soon as everything is reconnected and clean, the process is complete.
