Self catheter care:

        

If you need to wear a catheter due to bladder issues, you will not want to run to the hospital everyday so that the nurse or health care professional will cleanse it for you. You will learn how to do it yourself; this procedure is called self-catheterization.

Keeping the genital area clean is of utmost importance. Even before cleansing your genital area you must wash your hands with soap and water. It is very easy to get an infection from bacteria when wearing a catheter.

Consider these points when giving self-catheter care:
• You should wash the area and the surrounding pubic area twice daily
• It is also important to wash again after a bowel movement
• Always check for any redness pus or other bodily discharges and alert your health care professional if you see any
• Women may need to use a mirror to see the genital area
• Never pull on the tubing while cleaning yourself or your catheter
• You will need to attach your tubing to your leg by way of a catheter strap or some tape

Other points to consider:

Make sure to keep the strap or tape clean as well. You will want to use a new drainage bag once a month. Empty your drainage bag when it is half full. These instructions hold true even when you are using different bags during the month such as: one for walking and one for sitting or sleeping. Make sure the tubing that attaches to the bag is never twisted or curled. You must wear your bag below the level of your bladder so that the urine will flow freely and not revert back to the bladder or kidneys causing an infection.

You must contact your doctor or health care practitioner if:
• Your temperature is running over 101
• You have a feeling of fullness in the bladder
• You have itchiness, redness, or discharge from the catheter site
• You have blood in the urine, or if it is smelly or cloudy looking

If you’d like more information about Liberator Medical’s Catheter Supply-Care Program*, call us toll-free today at 1-866-642-6840. 

*Co-payments, deductibles and conditions apply.