CARE at HOME is a home healthcare service provider with a difference. The core purpose is to deliver 'Healthcare outside hospitals' in the right way. The main focus is on clinical excellence coupled with superior patient experience at an affordable cost.
Our team is highly competent to handle a wide range of services that require clinical expertise, hi-tech devices and complex multispecialty management. A commonly used device for drainage is the catheter, the procedure is called catheterization.
A catheter is a thin tube, often made of soft plastic material that can be inserted into the body. Catheters are a medical device and are prescribed by doctors to treat diseases or perform a surgical procedure.
A urinary catheter is used to drain the urinary bladder when it cannot be emptied normally. This process is called catheterization. It can become necessary after a surgery or during hospitalization.
A urinary catheter is a hollow, partially flexible tube that collects urine from the bladder and leads to a drainage bag. Urinary catheters come in many sizes and types. They can be made of:
Catheters are generally necessary when someone can’t empty their bladder. If the bladder isn’t emptied, urine can build up and lead to pressure in the kidneys. The pressure can lead to kidney failure, which can be dangerous and result in permanent damage to the kidneys.
Most catheters are necessary until one regains the ability to urinate on one’s own. Generally, they are used for a short period of time. Elderly persons and those with a permanent injury or severe illness may need to use urinary catheters for a longer time or even permanently.
A doctor may recommend a catheter if a person:
The reasons why one may not be able to urinate on one’s own can include:
There are three main types of catheters: indwelling catheters, external catheters and short-term catheters.
An indwelling catheter is a catheter that resides in the bladder. It is also known as a Foley’s catheter. This type can be useful for short and long periods of time.
A nurse usually inserts an indwelling catheter into the bladder through the urethra. Sometimes, a healthcare provider will insert the catheter into the bladder through a tiny hole in the abdomen. This type of indwelling catheter is known as a suprapubic catheter.
A tiny balloon at the end of the catheter is inflated with water to prevent the tube from sliding out of the body. The balloon can then deflate when the catheter needs to be removed.
A condom catheter is a catheter placed outside the body. It’s typically necessary for men who don’t have urinary retention problems but have serious functional or mental disabilities, such as dementia. A device that looks like a condom covers the penis head. A tube leads from the condom device to a drainage bag.
These catheters are generally more comfortable and carry a lower risk of infection than indwelling catheters. Condom catheters usually need to be changed daily, but some brands are designed for longer use. These cause less skin irritation than condom catheters that require daily removal and reapplication. A wound, ostomy and continence nurse can help make these recommendations.
A person may only need a catheter for a short period of time after surgery until the bladder empties. After the bladder empties, it’s necessary to remove the short-term catheter. Healthcare providers refer to this as an in-and-out catheter.
In a home setting, people are trained to insert the catheter themselves or with the help of a caregiver. It can be done through the urethra or through a hole created in the lower abdomen for catheterization.
Indwelling urinary catheters are the leading cause of healthcare-associated urinary tract infections (UTIs). Therefore, it’s important to routinely clean catheters to prevent infections.
The symptoms of a UTI may include:
Other complications from using a urinary catheter include:
Each time one urinates one exercises the bladder muscles. However, some people’s bladder muscles don’t work as well as others. Then the doctor may recommend clean intermittent self-catheterization. This painless procedure helps one empty the bladder of urine at home.
Clean intermittent self-catheterization is recommended when a patient has a condition that affects his ability to empty the bladder properly. “Clean” refers to the fact that the procedure requires clean techniques, such as washing one’s hands and skin before insertion to prevent infection.
Some people who may require clean intermittent self-catheterization include:
If one can’t fully empty the bladder, they are at greater risk of urinary tract infections, which can ultimately damage the kidneys. The use of clean intermittent self-catheterization can help prevent a urinary tract infection.
While many types of catheters are intended to stay in for days or weeks, a catheter used for clean intermittent self-catheterization is used several times a day to empty the bladder. The catheter is attached to a plastic bag that can be used to measure the amount of urine. The process of clean intermittent self-catheterization for women is different from the process for men.
First wash hands and the area around the urinary opening to prevent infection. You must be able to identify the urinary meatus (opening where urine flows). You need to lubricate the tip of the catheter and insert it into the urinary meatus.
When the catheter is properly inserted, urine will flow into the catheter’s bag. Allow all urine to drain. When the urine stops flowing, slowly and gently remove the catheter. Measure and record the amount of urine in the bag and then empty the bag.
Clean the catheter and urine collection device with mild soap and hot water immediately after use. Rinse the materials and air dry. Store the materials in a clean, dry container.
First wash your hands and cleanse the area around the top of your penis to reduce bacteria and risk for infection. Lubricate the first several inches of the catheter tip. Insert the catheter into the urinary opening of your penis until 8 or 9 inches of the catheter have been inserted. You may feel some resistance after inserting 6 inches of the catheter. This is not uncommon, as this is the location of the urinary sphincter muscles. Take a few deep breaths and increase the pressure while continuing to insert the catheter.
Make sure the urine has stopped flowing and you’ve completely emptied your bladder. Then slowly remove the catheter. Measure and record the amount of urine in the bag and then empty the bag.
Clean the catheter and urine collection device with mild soap and hot water immediately after use. Rinse the materials and air dry. Store the materials in a clean, dry container.
Each time you’re finished using the catheter, always wash it with soap and hot water; let it air dry, then store in a clean, dry container. You should replace your catheter every two to four weeks, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). If your catheter becomes hardened, discolored, brittle or too soft for insertion, discard it.
Your doctor will recommend how often you should perform clean intermittent self-catheterization. A typical schedule is every six hours and just before you go to bed. If you’re urinating more than 400 mL at a time with clean intermittent self-catheterization, you may need to increase the frequency to prevent infection.
The doctor usually asks you to keep a record of your daily liquid intake and output while performing clean intermittent self-catheterization. Intake includes anything you drink, such as water, juice, tea, soft drinks, alcohol, tea and coffee. Be sure to drink between 2,000 mL and 2,500 mL (or 8.5 to 10.5 cups) of fluid, preferably water, per day.
If your kidneys are working properly, you should flush out the same amount of fluid as you take in over the course of the day. If your recorded output doesn’t match your intake, notify your doctor.
Pediatric catheterization:
Male catheterization:
Female catheterization:
For a Virtual/Tele-Consultation, begin here.