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What is an intermittent catheter?
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An intermittent catheter is a technique that is used to empty out a person's bladder several times a day without having to leave the tube inside the bladder. This type of catheterization is used to drain urine from a bladder that is not adequately emptying out on its own.
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What are the different types of an intermittent catheter?
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- Hydrophilic Catheter: An intermittent hydrophilic catheter uses a hydrophilic coating to reduce friction and tissue irritation during catheterization. The unique hydrophilic coating keeps the catheter hydrated, slippery and comfortable throughout catheterization.
- Antibacterial Catheter: An intermittent antibacterial catheter is used to deliver an antimicrobial agent to the urethral-catheter boundary during catheterization. The most advanced intermittent catheters combine hydrophilic coating with antibacterial protection.
- Red Rubber Robinson Catheter: Red Rubber Robinson catheters are radiopaque, meaning they are capable of blocking radiation. They are most commonly used in X-ray environments. Those who are allergic to rubber or latex should avoid using a Red Rubber Robinson catheter.
- Bent Tip Catheter: A bent tip catheter is curved or bent at the tip to accommodate patients with enlarged prostates or anatomical constraints. The curved tip allows the catheter to easily insert past the prostate curve. This type is commonly used to catheterize men but only if a straight-tip catheter cannot be used to complete the task.
- Straight Tip Catheter: Straight tip catheters are the most common types of catheters used today. They offer many advantages over indwelling and external catheters but are not suitable for everyone.
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How does an intermittent catheter work?
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- An intermittent catheter is placed into your bladder just long enough to drain it before being removed
- The catheter is usually inserted into your bladder via the urethra (the tube through which urine comes out of your body)
- One end of the catheter is either left open-ended to allow drainage into a toilet or is attached to a bag to collect the urine and the other end is inserted into your urethra and guided through it until it enters your bladder and urine starts to flow
- When the flow of urine stops, the catheter can be moved or rotated
- You may need to change positions to ensure all the urine has been emptied from your bladder
- The catheter can then be removed and a new catheter is likely to be used each time
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What are the benefits of an intermittent catheter?
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And intermittent catheter: - Is easy and safe and while it may feel a little weird at first, it does not hurt
- Empties the bladder completely, preventing the backflow of urine that could damage kidneys
- Prevents residual urine thus, reducing the risk of urinary tract infections
- Protects from risk of embarrassing urine leakage
- Allows you to control when and how to empty your bladder
- Helps you get a full night’s sleep
- Allows you to get used to it quite easily so it becomes more like regular urination
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How can you ensure safety with an intermittent catheter?
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- Patients who use intermittent catheters to empty their bladder typically catheterize four to six times a day and for each use a new catheter should be used
- Hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and hot water before handling a catheter because dirty hands are responsible for most catheter-induced urinary tract infections.
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