flushing after urinary catheterization

onthemark · Apr 12, 2013

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.

onthemark · Apr 12, 2013

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.

onthemark · Apr 13, 2013

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.

onthemark · Apr 13, 2013

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

onthemark · Apr 13, 2013

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.

onthemark · Apr 13, 2013

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.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Apr 13, 2013

You will need to check your facility policy and ask them. Flushing is generally not done. If there is a problem, then urinary catheters can be irrigated, or removed and re-insterted.

In any of those instances, you need to understand the procedures, know your facility policy and obtain a Drs order.

BrandonLPN, LPN · Apr 13, 2013

I'm not understanding why one would flush after each straight cath. What's the rationale? Bladder irrigation?

I get flushing indwelling catheters on a regular basis. It maintains patency. But with straight caths?

Biffbradford · Apr 13, 2013

FWIW, it's urinary 'tract'. There's no racing going on down there (I hope). :)

Altra, BSN, RN · Apr 13, 2013

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.

Please, please think twice before performing invasive procedures without the presence of someone with more experience if you have the slightest doubt about what you're doing.

And realize that the culture of your workplace seems to be "see one, do one, teach one" ... so it appears that you are expected to learn new procedures quickly -- you'll want to pay attention.

ktwlpn, LPN · Apr 13, 2013

I'm not understanding why one would flush after each straight cath. What's the rationale? Bladder irrigation?
I get flushing indwelling catheters on a regular basis. It maintains patency. But with straight caths?

I've seen that-we had a fella with neurogenic bladder and his urine was always thick and funcy and full of mucus-the uro had us flush him daily with a small amt of some type of bacteriacide,I can't remember what it was called. It makes sense to me.These people get infection after infection (whether they have an indwelling foley or str cath,in my experience) and you can push gallons of fluids,admin antibiotics for prophy or when symptomatic but they still always seem to have a problem.

twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN · Apr 13, 2013

I remember having a patient years ago that had bladder ca, had it removed, then they took a part of his bowel to reconstruct a bladder. It worked well except for the fact that it secreted mucus just like bowel should. So it routinely got clogged and needed flushing to the works patent. Thats the only reason I remember ever routinely flushing someone like that.