Self-catheterisation.
April 12, 2014 7:31 AM   Subscribe

What are the dangers of self-catheterisation? I was told that I need to check in to a hospital for a whole day so that I can be taught this procedure due to being diagnosed with a neurogenic bladder. Surely this is not necessary.
posted by anonymous to Health & Fitness (9 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
I should think that rupturing/puncturing the urethra would be way up there. Along with infection, ineffective insertion, puncturing the bladder, etc.

Is a whole day necessary? Maybe, maybe not. But they may want to void your bladder before you start the process, and then give you time to fill your bladder to make sure you know how to do it, and if there's a problem you'd probably need to start over. Etc.
posted by valkyryn at 7:44 AM on April 12, 2014 [1 favorite]


Infection is the big one; you need to be careful about cleaning the area around the insertion point, effectively washing your hands beforehand, too, using clean tubing, etc., because otherwise, you're introducing bad bacteria straight into your bladder. Even with best practices, it's really easy to get a urinary-tract infection, so knowing what symptoms to be aware of is also really important.
posted by limeonaire at 7:49 AM on April 12, 2014


It's also harder if you're female or have range of motion issues.
posted by stillmoving at 7:53 AM on April 12, 2014 [1 favorite]


A whole day seems weird to me after watching a family member be taught in her 90s in less than an hour unless you've got other complicating factors. Have you asked why a whole day?
posted by leslies at 7:58 AM on April 12, 2014


Hi, I self-cath, and this seems weird to me too. But, you're totally due an explanation before you pay whatever co-pays and nuisances are involved in a hospital stay.
posted by angrycat at 7:59 AM on April 12, 2014


p.s.: They may have just given you "all day" as a worst-case scenario for time. In my outpatient clinic within an inpatient facility, we routinely tell patients to be prepared for an "all day" appointment, when really they'll only be there for a couple hours. Also, I imagine you'll check in to an outpatient-type setting, not be officially admitted.
posted by stillmoving at 12:38 PM on April 12, 2014 [1 favorite]


This is probably duh and definitely wouldn't take all day, but in addition to teaching, might they be checking your post void residual? That can eat up some time.
posted by pintapicasso at 2:11 PM on April 12, 2014


I'm female, and I've been self-cathing due to neurogenic bladder for more than 20 years. I had a really long set of urology appointments (maybe 3 hours with time for new liquid to build up). Then the nurse took me into the bathroom and taught me how to cath by feel (no mirror) in 10 minutes. I had full hand function then, some arthritis now. I've been following the instructions and getting around one UTI/year since.

Feel free to memail me.
posted by Jesse the K at 5:56 PM on April 12, 2014


For the record I'm pretty sure te rates of infection for self catching is pretty small if you use good technique (please double check this). If you have an indwelling (long term) catheter (a "foley") there is a very high rate of infection but that's a totally different animal.

If you are a man it could not be easier. If you are a woman it's mildly more difficult.
posted by mockpuppet at 8:58 AM on April 13, 2014


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