flushing after urinary catheterization

Can anyone tell me the procedure for flushing out the urinary track after catheterization?

[amoLucia]

Why are you flushing after you cath? You should be getting a decent flow return so why flush? Unless you're instilling something ...

[Biffbradford]

Foley or straight cath?

this patient gets straight cathed 4 times a day. I was told she should be flushed after the 9am cath. This is in a nursing home so she's been having this treatment a long time and will continue to have it. I assumed the flushing was to prevent infection from all the catheterations.

[Tait, MSN, RN]

this patient gets straight cathed 4 times a day. I was told she should be flushed after the 9am cath. This is in a nursing home so she's been having this treatment a long time and will continue to have it. I assumed the flushing was to prevent infection from all the catheterations.

If it is something routine they do, then I think they would be the best people to ask about technique. It does sound to me like there might be an opportunity to investigate best practice on this, however if it is working well for the patient, and they aren't routinely doing this to other patients (sounds like an infection risk, not prevention, but then again I can't really visualize the process) then it might just be a blip on the radar.

Thank you for your feedback. I'm still not sure how to do it, though. I'm supposed to do it Sunday when the nurse that told me to do it will not be there. Unfortunately, everything was happening so quickly when she told me to do it, that I didn't realize she wouldn't be there the 1st time I'm to do it.

If anyone can give me tips on how to do it, I'd appreciate it. From what I gather, I'll have a 500cc container of sterile water that will go into a plunger that will gradually be injected into the urethra via a catheter. If anyone can confirm this or fill me in more, I'd be deeply appreciative.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Without seeing the patient it is near impossible to give you guidance. I would ask someone where you work. Will you be the only nurse there? There are different straight cath kits and catheters so what you need to do will vary.

Are there instructions in the orders?

Does your facility have a policy & procedure manual? Either a hard copy or online? Or perhaps you could get in touch with one of your coworkers and ask them to show you when they do it so that you can be prepared for your turn.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

I'd be more likely to use saline, but it probably doesn't matter much. The order should specify what to use.

Thank you for your feedback. I'm still not sure how to do it, though. I'm supposed to do it Sunday when the nurse that told me to do it will not be there. Unfortunately, everything was happening so quickly when she told me to do it, that I didn't realize she wouldn't be there the 1st time I'm to do it.

If anyone can give me tips on how to do it, I'd appreciate it. From what I gather, I'll have a 500cc container of sterile water that will go into a plunger that will gradually be injected into the urethra via a catheter. If anyone can confirm this or fill me in more, I'd be deeply appreciative.

If the order is to flush with NS. I've had to flush with both a vinegar solution and a Betadine solution.

Sterile water is not a good idea. Saline, please. And if you have never done this and have not seen it done DO NOT DO IT. Introducing anything into a bladder can introduce infection. I know, I know, anybody who has been straight cathed QID forever doesn't have a sterile bladder anymore, but you do NOT want to be introducing anything new in there and no matter what "they" told you it's a sterile procedure and should be done with betadine or chlorhexidine prep, sterile supplies and sterile gloves.

Esme, thank you for trying to help. I've done the straight catching so I know what's in that kit and I'm comfortable with it. There's another kit, though, for the flushing and that's what I'm not sure about. I guess I'll open it ahead of time and study it. Also, there will be another nurse on an adjoining hall who should know how to do it, so I'm thinking of asking her to come in and direct me.

julz68, I remember the nurse telling me there's an order for the flushing in the medex. I doubt if this will give instructions, though. That's a good thought, though. I'll check the doctor's order in her chart to see if there are instructions there.

SaoirseRN, I looked through the policy & procedure manual last summer but do not recall seeing anything about flushing. I think my best bet is to ask a co-worker on an adjoining hall to help me.

Thanks for suggesting saline, canoehead. Hopefully the order will make it clear just what to use.

Thanks for these suggestions, MessyMomma. Hopefully, the order will specify exactly what to flush with. In fact, I'm thinking and hoping that the solution will be in the flushing kit.

GrnTea, thank you confirming my feeling that I should not do this procedure if I haven't seen it. The nurse who asked me to do it, actually did it in front of me but I wasn't fully paying attention because I was busy measuring the urine that had just come out and washing my hands, etc. As she was finishing, she made the comment "Now you know how to do it so I want you to do it next time." I wish I'd stopped her in her tracks and said, "Wait, I wasn't fully paying attention....I'm not ready yet" but everything was happening so fast that I didn't. Hopefully, I can get a co-worker to come direct me on Sunday but, if not, I think it might be better that I didn't do it at all than try to do it on my own when I'm not confidant.