Urinary Catheters & Problem Solving William Ryan Nurse Advisor

Urinary Catheters & Problem SolvingWilliam RyanNurse Advisor

Aim of Presentation • Cover common issues related to Indwelling Urinary Catheters (IDC & SPC) • Always consider why is the catheter in-situ? • Is it required? • Is there an alternative? • Documentation!!!!

Intermittent Catheterization • The GOLD STANDARD of artifical drainage of the bladder (Barton 2000;Bardsley and Kaighin,2008) • To prevent risk of over-distension • Generally the procedure is carried out 4-5 times/24hours (Barton 2000; Robinson,2007) • Number of times may need adjusting depending on residual (less then 100mls) • Should be considered for patients attending A&E with ROU as an immediate or planned alternative method of bladder emptying instead of an IDC. Not suitable for all patients!

Advantages • Reduced risk of infection (Bakke & Digranes,1991) • Improvement in urinary symptoms & bladder health – maintains bladder tone • Offers opportunity to be self caring • Regain personal control over bladder function • Allows easier & more spontaneous sexual relations • Reduced need for equipment / appliances – easier to choose clothing – mobility less hindered

Advantages contd Less risk of problems associated with indwelling catheters • Helps maintain positive body image • (Addison 2001) • “Ready to go”, saves time & more cost effective • Improved quality of life and independence

To Begin! Indwelling Catheters!

Bypassing • Kinked Tubing • Constipation • Infection • Detrusor Instability • Trigone Irritation (Catheter Size? Traction?) • Encrustation (Struvite) • Debris & Mucous

No Drainage • Kinked Tubing, Constipation, Debris & Encrustation • Renal Impairment - Anuria • (Cessation of urine production)

Infection • CAUTI (Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections) account for 45% of all hospital acquired infections • Dougherty, L. and Lister, S. (2004) The Royal Marsden Hospital Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures • 22.5% of Healthcare Associated Infections or nosocomial Infection are UTIs of those 56.2% Catheter related • (2006 prevalence survey of HCAI) • Patients do die from urinary sepsis (Stewart 1998)

Managing / Reducing Risk of Infection • Aseptic Technique When Catheterising • Maintain Closed System • Hygiene • - Meatal Cleansing / Bathing etc • - Wash Hands/Wear PPE Aprons when carrying out catheter care • - Daily washing of catheter • Adequate Fluid Intake • Frequency of drainage bag changes and use of night drainage systems

Encrustation What is encrustation and how do we deal with it?

Normal catheter Encrusted catheters Encrusted catheter

Encrustation of the catheter from deposits of mineral salts is a complication in approximately 50% of all long-term catheterised patients. Encrustation on catheter surface can cause trauma to the urethra during catheter removal. Therisks associated with CMS use may be outweighed by increasing catheter lifeSARI 2011

Process of Encrustation BACTERIA (Proteus, E-Coli, Klebsiella) Produce UREASE Spliting Urinary Urea into AMMONIA CARBON DIOXIDE Change in pH (6.8 - 9.5) Alkaline Urine MINERAL PRECIPITATION ENCRUSTATION

Stickler, D. J. 1996. Biofilms, catheters, and urinary tract infections. Eur. Urol. Update Ser. 5:1-8.

Assess • Inspect retrieved catheter – Visual examination of tip and cut catheter along its length to determine cause of catheter failure. Document findings – photograph if possible.

Unblocking / Checking Patency The traditional manner in which ‘washouts have been performed is using 50-60ml syringe attached to the catheter. The plunger is alternately depressed and withdrawn to facilitate drainage and removal of debris. This may be potentially damaging to the tissues because of the considerable force exerted. (Getliffe & Dolman, 1997)

Urotainer Solutions • Uro-Tainer Twin SUBY-G (3.23% Citric Acid) • Uro-Tainer Twin SOLUTIO-R (6% Citric Acid) • SODIUM CHLORIDE (0.9%)

When to use Uro-Tainer • Prophylactic Treatment for known “BLOCKERS” • To Clear an Encrusted Catheter • Prior to Catheter Removal • To Remove Debris, Mucous, Haematuria from the Bladder • To instil Prescribed Drugs

Using Uro-Tainer • Assessment of the Problem • Promotes Patient Comfort • Prolongs Catheter Life (within manufacturers guidelines) • Patients and/or carers may be taught self administration

Note: Catheter Maintenance Solutions are not bladder washouts. Do not provide a therapeutic effect Are Class 1 (Sterile) Medical Devices

Contraindication Autonomic Dysreflexia Autonomic dysreflexia (also known as autonomic hyperreflexia) is one of the most serious conditions affecting people with spinal cord injury at or above the 6th thoracic vertebrae. Develops secondary to any noxious stimulus below the level of injury. Nerve impulses cannot pass normally to the brain, therefore, the body produces exaggerated abnormal nerve signals that cause problems above and below the spinal injury.

Symptoms range from mild to sever and patients may present with one or more of • the following: • Pounding headache • Flushing and/blotching above the level of spinal injury • Slowed heart rate • Profuse sweating above the level of injury • Palpitations • Goosebumps • Blurred vision or seeing spots • Stuffy nose • Feeling of impending doom, anxiety or apprehension • Elevated blood pressure. • TREAT AS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY

Antimuscarinic medications block the messages that initiate bladder contractions and reduce frequency of bladder emptying. These can be very effective in managing an overactive bladder but risk causing a dry mouth as common side effect. Source: MS Trust UK

Urinary Catheters & Problem Solving William Ryan Nurse Advisor