[ceecel.dee]

We learned the any irrigation is done with NS to decrease risk of electrolyte disturbances (that's why CBI is always NS).

[kell1566]

i work on a urology floor and we use nss for CBI and also for irrigation.....never thought of warming it....dunno if it would be a good idea would think it could possibly burn....hard to tell the right temp i guess...love urology tho!!!

[veronica butterfly]

NS would be best I would think as it is isotonic, same as body's salinity.

Here's a "stupid" question.... when we're supposed to irrigate a regular indwelling foley (not a 3 lumen after a turp), does everybody just disconnect the foley from the tubing for the collecting bag? I always feel there's such a high chance of bacteria entering. But only other option is that small port we can draw urine from if we need a specimen.

I wouldn't mess with warming fluid, could cause a burn. fyi, though, I used to do peritoneal dialysis on a pt and we always had a warming pad going at bedside with bags on it for the next round.

[geribug]

At our geri-psych facility, we needed to irrigate a foley because the pt. was bleeding and the catheter was clotted off. We were told that using a large syringe not packaged in a sterile package was ok to use. The syringes were stored in a large open plastic bag. The syringes had caps over the tip that goes into the catheter. Is this really ok? I was taught that bladder/foley irrigation was supposed to be as sterile as possible, thus the need for an irrigation kit or at least a sterile syringe. What is your opinion?

[rgroyer1RNBSN]

Ive always opened up a sterile irrigation tray myself, and used warm nss.

[barefootlady]

Have used Kpad to keep solution warm, also have set with bag between legs while wrapped in towel on night shift.

[noskcaj]

when irrigating a foley cath you read the physician order. IT TELLS YOU WHAT SOLUTION OR DRUG TO USE. READ PHYSICIAN ORDERS OR CLARIFY WITH THE PHYSICIAN. MAR, T.O. VERBAL ORDERS.

[trauma center]

Hi guys! Re: Foleys irrigation. in my workplace especially in my unit, we were taught to use sterile water for irrigation since using NSS may cause salt sediments or crystallization

[veronica butterfly]

Originally Posted by trauma center

Hi guys! Re: Foleys irrigation. in my workplace especially in my unit, we were taught to use sterile water for irrigation since using NSS may cause salt sediments or crystallization

What is the thought that normal saline would cause sediment or crystallization when it is completely isotonic? It's the same as body fluid salinity.

[GrumpyRN63]

We flush with sterile h20, but frankly I don't think it makes a big difference