Your doctor has recommended intermittent catheterization for you. This technique is advisable when the urinary bladder is unable to adequately empty for some reason or to dilate a stricture or narrowed area in the urinary passage. It is important to perform the catheterizations exactly as advised by your physician.

Suggestions For Catheter Insertion

1. Be sure you understand the correct technique and position for doing the procedure. If not, call our office and we'll be happy to review the instructions and technique for you.
   
2. Make sure you have all the materials and supplies handy before starting.
   
3. Wash your hands and genital area before doing the catheterization use gloves if you've been instructed to do so.
   
4. Lubricate the catheter well with K-Y jelly, surgilube or similar water soluble lubricant available in most drugstores. Don?t use vaseline because it won?t dissolve easily in water!
   
5. Advance the catheter slowly and gently into the bladder opening. Use slow, gentle pressure. If you meet resistance or blockage, slowly turn or twist the catheter while applying gentle pressure and be patient. If you can?t pass the catheter, stop and notify our office on the next business day for further instructions.
   
6. Make sure the catheter is fully inserted into the bladder, usually at least two inches beyond the point where urine first comes out.
   
7. Most patients on intermittent catheterization will e instructed to take a prophylactic low dose antibiotic or urinary antiseptic once a day. Make sure to take this medication as prescribed.

Home Sterilization Of Catheters

1. Wash the catheters with soap and hot water until clean.
2. Boil the catheters in water for a least twenty minutes.
3. Take the catheters out of the water and allow to dry.
4. When dry, place each catheter in a separate, sealable plastic bag such as a Ziploc bag.
5. Leave the bags open and do not seal them closed yet
6. Place the bags containing the catheters in your microwave. In the center of the microwave, put a large glass of cold water. Do not place the catheter bags in the water!.
7. Put the microwave on High for five minutes. Replace the glass (which is now very hot) with a new glass of cold water and microwave on high for an additional five minutes.
8. Let the bags cool; then close the bags. You now have a sterile catheter inside a sterile bag.

This technique will kill the germs by using microwave radiation and sterilize the catheters. Without the glass of cold water to absorb the heat, the bags and catheters would melt. If there are any problems or questions, please call our office at 440.985.9898.