Types of Catheters | Which Catheter to Use | Reusable Catheters
Reusing something maybe a smart way to save money and be eco-friendly but would this principle apply to medical devices too? Unless clearly specified as reusable, it is an absolute no-no, especially so with SUDs or single-use devices.
While on the subject of single-use and reusable, let us look at catheters which are important medical devices and available in both types – reusable and disposable. These are tubes but no ordinary ones and a lot of thought has been put into their making because they are placed internally and therefore, a person’s health is majorly at stake. So, ideally one cannot mess with catheters which play an essential and strict role in maintaining a person’s wellbeing…. both immediately after a surgery and in the lives of those with urological and incontinent issues.
There are various types of catheters available in the market and selection would depend on your requirement – whether short-term or long-term, latex or silicone, with or without funnel end, which tip style, material, gender use, size, length, etc. With advancing technology, there has been an increase in the types of catheters now available. And users have been spoilt for choice. However, not all catheters are suitable for one individual’s needs. One person may require one type for use at home and another for outside the home.
Among the different variety of catheters available, you also have the choice of buying single-use tubing or reusable one. Both types are to be found in the market.
The modern disposable catheter was invented in the 1940s by David S Sheridan who is referred to as the Catheter King. These types are designed to be used once and then thrown away. They are sterile and coated or pre-lubricated and may have either a hydrophilic coating or a gel coating. In the former case, the tube has to be immersed in water for 30 seconds to activate.
Again, single-use catheters are two types – for one-time use by a patient and for one-patient use. So, there are catheters that are labeled as ‘single-patient use’ and these can be washed and reused by an individual but cannot be used by another. One-time use device has to be thrown away after one use.
Reusable catheters can be washed and reused usually for up to a week, on an average. These types are made out of polyvinyl chloride and do not have a coating. Silver/stainless steel catheters are designed to be cleaned and reused multiple times by women.
Worldwide, both types are to be found but there is an ongoing debate about whether the reuse technique is as safe as single use one and which catheter should be preferred. Studies have found that in developing countries reusable catheters are more popular. The chief reason for this is cost. Single-use catheters are more expensive than a reusable one. Since the healthcare systems in different countries have varying rules for reimbursement, hence reusable catheters are the preferred choice by those who use it intermittently. Also, many opt to clean and reuse uncoated catheters due to or concern about environmental issues because catheters are not bio-degradable and add to the landfill.
However, most healthcare experts recommend disposable catheters for health reasons. They argue that though multiple-use catheters may cost less but they can enhance healthcare costs because of an increase in catheter-associated risks, such as UTIs and urethral bleeding. Though there is no solid research data currently that indicates that single-use catheters will reduce CAUTI, it is very easy to introduce bacteria into the bladder and hence, risks should be avoided.
Experts advise that before reusing urinary catheters, one should consider the increasing risk of infection. The Infectious Disease Society of America’s (IDSA) guideline from 2009 says that there is poor-to-moderate evidence which suggests the use of multiple-use catheters instead of disposable ones in connection with CAUTI. Disposable catheters, on the other hand, are associated with less urethral trauma and infections and increased ease of use.
Most studies suggest using safe, patient-preferred, non-infecting and non-traumatic technique for intermittent catheterization. Some strongly recommend that patients should not try to wash and reuse catheters but instead use sterile single-use types for one’s safety. The latter is designed for one-time use and to discourage multiple uses, they have designs like crevices, joints, angles, etc, that would make cleaning and washing difficult. In tests conducted on these types found that 90% of them had residual tissue and that 60% of them fell far below sterility standards set by the FDA.
And if you do decide to opt for multiple use catheters then it is recommended that you must keep these pointers in mind:
To conclude, you should base your decision about which catheter to buy on your healthcare practitioner’s advice. Some people discover that a combination of single-use and re-usable catheters works best for them. For example, re-using your catheter when at home and throwing it away when you can’t easily wash it after use.
At Shop Catheters Know your requirements, match them with the catheter types and shop the one that seems most beneficial to you. Shop Catheters offers a wide assortment of different types of catheters from various top-selling brands like Kendall, Rusch, Lubricath, etc. Browse our extensive range to select the Product that best suits your needs.
Disclaimer: All content found on our website, including images, videos, infographics and text were created solely for informational purposes. Our content should never be used for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment of any medical conditions. Content shared on our websites is not meant to be used as a substitute for advice from a certified medical professional. Reliance on the information provided on our website as a basis for patient treatment is solely at your own risk. We urge all our customers to always consult a physician or a certified medical professional before trying or using a new medical product.
