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

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.You may need a catheter because you have urinary incontinence (leakage), urinary retention (not being able to urinate), prostate problems, or surgery that made it necessary.

Urinary catheter uses

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 – indwelling catheter, external catheters and 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.

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;

Straight catheter

Female intermittent straight catheters are uncoated and need to be lubricated before it can be inserted.

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.

Closed system catheter

Closed system catheters are pre – lubricated and contain a self contained collection bag.

Dialysis Catheter

A dialysis catheter is a catheter used to swap blood from a haemodialysis machine to a patient. The dialysis catheter has two openings one red which is for the arterial opening to draw blood out of your body to the haemodialysis machine and a blue opening that returns the cleaned blood to the body.

CATHETERISATION AT HOME

Karunya Med Services ensure smooth catheterization by our experienced and skilled nurses in comfort of your home. All necessary precautions are taken during catheterisation to prevent you from any pressure injuries, tripping, accidents, or any other discomfort. 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. We provide catheterisation for individuals of all age-groups, no matter whether it’s a kid, adult, or an aged individual.  By considering patients comfort as our priority, we provide catheterisation at home at your convenient time.

If you or your loved one has a condition in which you need a urinary catheter at home, Karunya MedServices can help you use it safely and effectively.

Our professional and compassionate staff can help with:

•  Teaching proper hygiene and catheter care
• Monitoring your well-being
• Helping prevent complications associated with catheters, such as infection
• Working closely with your doctor to monitor your condition
•  Providing comfort and support while respecting your privacy and dignity

BENEFITS OF GETTING NURSING FOR CATHETERISATION AT HOME:

1. Recommendation of 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. Catheterisationfor 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 sit bath if you face trouble urinating after catheter removal.