Posted by Andrew on 16/8/2008, 6:23 pm, in reply to "Catheters"

Hi Jane If you email me your address, I can send you a copy of the article from the Professional Nurse magazine, Volume 18, Issue 10, 01 June 2003, page 585; entitled "Intermittent self-catheterisation for managing urinary problems". The study, conducted by PCT nurses, quotes established sources and their own research, and concludes: Conclusion Intermittent self-catheterisation (ISC) has gained in popularity since the 1970s and with its advantages for self-care should be offered to all patients as an alternative to managing their bladder-emptying problems. Offering ISC to patients with voiding dysfunction or bladder-emptying problems can enhance the quality of their life and give them the opportunity to resume normal voiding without the hindrance of an indwelling urinary catheter. The above results show that patients who chose ISC were happy to use this method of management for their urinary problems. The results of spontaneous voiding after failed TWOC is also supported by this review, with patients continuing to void spontaneously without the need for surgical intervention. (Patients are followed up for six months before being discharged and have not been re-referred by their GP.) From this review we can determine that ISC appears to be an effective, popular method of managing urinary problems, with a high percentage (68%) of patients who need to continue with this method of managing their voiding difficulties. Doherty (1999b) suggests that such use of intermittent catheterisation rather than indwelling catheterisation will become the norm. As far as our practice is concerned, changes will include setting up a telephone follow-up service as an option for some patients. end of quote. You could give a copy of this article to your GP and practice nurse, in order to (a) allay their fears and (b) hopefuly result in their modifying their practice procedures so as to bring them in line with current practice. As for your query on infection: men seems to experiene little or no problems with infection. Women do have a higher incidence, but I have no figures. Obviously personal hygiene is the key here! The catheters are sterile, but hands and the genito-urinary area are not. The use of antiseptic wipes before using the catheter would seem sensible. BTW there is a female catheter that fits into what looks like a lipstick holder - very discreet. You can go to the American IPA site www.paruresis.org, where there is a women's co-ordinator who can give you very specific advice on catheter usage; alternative I have a copy I can email you. Hope this all helps. best wishes Andrew Smnith Chairman

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