Blocked urinary catheters: what can nurses do to improve management?

The role of the district nurse in managing blocked urinary catheters

This article will investigate the district nurse's role in managing urinary catheter blockages, looking at why people require long-term catheterisation and the causes of blockages and then reviewing treatment methods. Current practice will be critically analysed and compared to the most up to date research and literature to inform district nurses of best evidence-based practice in the hopes of improving service user outcomes and quality of life and reducing the impact this problem has upon district nursing services with regards to time and resources.

Catheter valves: are they useful in supporting patients in a trial without catheter?

A trial without catheter (TWOC) is a common urological procedure undertaken to remove an indwelling urinary catheter when no longer clinically indicated. An appropriately trained practitioner should undertake a TWOC in a controlled environment to ensure that a further urinary retention does not occur. Indwelling urinary catheters are commonly used with a free drainage system such as a leg bag, which continually empties the bladder. This article examines the potential benefits of using a catheter valve as an alternative to free drainage, prior to undertaking a TWOC, to optimise clinical outcomes and patient experience. This article will guide nurses to increase their knowledge of catheter valves to promote person-centred informed decision-making.

Managing complications associated with the use of indwelling urinary catheters

The insertion of an indwelling urethral urinary catheter is an invasive procedure that is commonly undertaken in healthcare settings. However, there are several risks and potential complications associated with these devices, so their use should be avoided where possible. It is important that nurses are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills not only to assess if a patient requires a catheter, but also to minimise the risk of associated complications and to understand how these can be managed. This article discusses some of the common complications that can occur with the use of indwelling urinary catheters, including: catheter-associated urinary tract infections; catheter blockages; encrustation; negative pressure; bladder spasm and trauma; and, in men, paraphimosis. It also explains the steps that nurses can take to reduce the risk of these complications and how to manage them effectively.