How To Insert And Secure Catheters
Catheters are narrow plastic tubes inserted into a patient’s urethra to empty the bladder of urine. These are medical supplies used for people who can no longer empty their bladder of urine on their own. Sometimes they are used for patients after surgery if their mobility is compromised. They can also be used for elderly people who cannot control their bladder anymore.
These devices can be used at a hospital or in your home. They are convenient medical tools if you have elderly or sick relatives living with you. You can hire a private nursing aid to place the device into your bedridden relative or learn how to insert and remove the catheter tubes yourself. Once you learn how to insert it yourself, it will only take a few minutes to complete the procedure.
Although a nurse is not required to insert these devices into a patient’s urethra, it is still necessary to get proper training from a medical professional if you intend to insert and remove your patient’s catheter at home. It is important to perform these procedures correctly to prevent hurting the patient and damaging the urethra.

You should lubricate the tube of the catheter with KY jelly before inserting it into your patient’s urethra. Once you apply enough lubrication, insert the tube slowly till the tube reaches the bladder. You’ll know once it reaches the bladder when urine starts to flow through the tube and into the bag. Once in place, it will be a good idea to secure the tube to the patient’s thigh with medical tape.
Allow a few inches allowance for the tube to move freely without pulling on the tube inside the urethra. The most common way to secure catheters for women is to tape the tube to the thigh. A catheter used on a male patient can be taped to either the thigh or lower abdomen. Securing it to the lower abdomen for male patients is preferable if the catheter will be used for a long period.
You should get hypo-allergenic medical tape to reduce the chances of skin irritation from long term use. Try to find adhesive cloth tape that is also hypo-allergenic. These are more comfortable and are easier to remove from the patient’s skin. You can also use catheter straps with an elastic band and Velcro strips at medical supplies stores.
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