Catheterisation

What Is Catheterisation?

Catheterization is basically the process of inserting a catheter into a body cavity to allow body fluids to pass out of the body.

The procedure is of two types – cardiac catheterization (where a catheter is inserted into the heart through a vein in the arm to diagnose heart problems) and urinary catheterization (where a catheter is inserted into the bladder through the urethra to drain out urine from the body).

What Is a Urinary Catheter?

A urinary catheter is a flexible, hollow tube that is inserted into the bladder to help drain out the urine. The various kind of urinary catheters available are; Rubber Catheter, Silicone Catheter and Plastic or PVC catheter.

Why Are Urinary Catheter Used?

There are many medical reasons behind the use of a urinary catheter. A doctor usually recommends the use of a urinary catheter in the following medical conditions;

• When a patient is suffering from urinary incontinence
• A patient has a problem of urine retention
• Blocked urine flow owing to kidney or bladder stones, blood clots in the urine and severe enlargement of the prostate gland
• Prostate gland surgery
• Surgery in the genital area like hysterectomy
• To drain the bladder during childbirth, if epidural anesthetic is administered
• To drain the bladder prior to any surgery, like – womb, ovaries or bowels
• To directly administer medicine into the bladder during chemotherapy for bladder cancer
• Spinal cord injury
• Dementia
• Spina bifida

Urinary Catheter Types:

Urinary catheters are of three types –

1. Indwelling catheters
2. External Catheters
3. Intermittent Catheters

Indwelling Catheters:

Indwelling catheter also referred to as urethral, foley or suprapubic catheter is the type of catheter which is left inside the bladder for a week, month or as needed and recommended by the doctor.

In foley catheterization, a catheter is inserted in the bladder through the urethra, while in suprapubic catheter a tube is inserted in the bladder through an incision made in the belly instead of the urethra.

The catheter is made to stay inside the bladder with the help of a tiny inflated balloon. This balloon can be deflated at the time of removal of the catheter.

Side Effects of Indwelling Catheters:

Even after taking a lot of precautions and practicing caution in catheter care, there still remains the danger of infections like;

• Indwelling catheter is prone to several side effects like;
• Infections,
• Leakage around the catheter
• Bladder spasm
• Pain or burning sensation in urethra, bladder, abdomen or lower back
• Foul smelling urine
• Blood, mucus or pus in urine or around catheter

External Catheters:

External catheters are convenient and suitable to be used only in men owing to the shape of the catheter.

In this type of catheter a condom like device covers the head of the penis and a tube leads from the condom device to a drainage bag.

This type of catheter carries a lower risk of infection and can be daily changed.

Intermittent catheter or short term catheter:

This type of catheter is used especially during medical procedure for a short time and should be removed after the procedure is completed.

External catheters are often referred to as in and out catheter by healthcare professionals. External catheters are relatively safe to use and don’t cause any infections or other health problems.    

Female Catheterization:

Female catheterization is different from male catheterization, since female urethra is shorter in length than male urethra. There are three types of female intermittent catheters, namely;

1. Straight catheter – Female intermittent straight catheters are uncoated and need to be lubricated before it can be inserted.
2. Hydrophilic catheter – Hydrophilic catheter are similar to straight catheters, the only difference being it comes with coating that is activated by water making it slippery and ready to use
3. Closed system catheter – Closed system catheters are pre – lubricated and contain a self contained collection bag.

The catheter used in haemodialysis is a tunneled catheter and is placed under the skin.

Tunneled catheters are of two types –

• Cuffed tunneled catheter
• Non – cuffed tunneled catheter

Non – cuffed tunneled catheter is typically used during emergencies and for a shorter duration, while the cuffed tunneled catheter can be used for longer period of time.

Dialysis catheter can cause infection and blood clot inside the catheter even after a lot of catheter care. Some of the symptoms of infections due to the catheter are;

• Fever
• Chills
• Drainage from the exit site of the catheter
• Redness or tenderness around the catheter exit site
• A general feeling of weakness and illness.

Catheterisation at Home

We at Portea have a team of trained and caring nurses who are always available at your service to ensure you have smooth catheterisation in comfort of your home.

Our skilled nurses take all the necessary care to prevent you from any pressure injuries, tripping, accidents, or any other discomfort due to catheterisation. Nurses also help the patient to drain the urine bag carefully at regular intervals without any concerns.

Besides these, experienced nurses are skilled in taking the necessary care after catheter removal. Our nursing service for catheterisation is available for the individuals of all age-groups, no matter whether it’s a kid, adult, or an aged individual.

With Portea at your service, you need not have to travel to and fro from hospital for urinary catheterisation as we provide your nursing service conveniently at home by keeping your comfort as priority. So, simply call us or get in touch with us to receive the best nursing for catheterisation in your place of abode without any concerns.

3 Benefits of Getting Nursing for Catheterisation at Home

1. Ensures You Follow Necessary Healthy Diet:

Nurses visiting you at home for nursing assistance for catheterisation also guide you with healthy diet tips.

They ensure you have fiber rich diet to help you keep constipation troubles at bay, as constipation may affect catheter drainage adversely.

Nurses recommend you to have healthy diet comprising figs, nuts, dried prunes, and dates and have good intake of fluids so that you stay healthy and constipation-free during catheterisation.

2. Catheterisation For All Age Groups:

Caring nurses are skilled in taking the right catheterisation care of individuals of all age groups.

Whether it’s a child or an elderly individual who needs catheterisation, expert nurses are efficient enough to take care of catheterisation without causing any discomfort to the patient and take into consideration the psychology of the patient.

For instance, if a child in your family needs catheterisation and he is scared of it, caring nurses will convince the kid that there is nothing to panic and ensure that the child receives smooth catheterisation.

3. Educates You With Care After Catheter Removal:

You need to take a great care during catheterisation as well as after catheter removal. Nurses educate you with the right care that you need to take post catheter removal.

They recommend you to wear loose clothes if you suffer rash or irritation due to catheter, drink plenty of healthy liquids, and go for a sitz bath if you face trouble urinating after catheter removal.

So, if you need nursing for catheterisation, contact us at Portea and you will receive excellent nursing assistance for the same in comfort of your home.