apparently, peri care is optional

Nurses General Nursing

Published

On our unit, CNAs straight cath patients. Initially this didn't bother me. However, recently I was changing my patient's foley bag and then asked if I could clean his member. He looked at me like I had lost my mind. I told him the CNA should be cleaning the member/cath when they change your foley bag to prevent infection. He said they never had/do. Thus, CNAs performing sterile procedure but failing to perform routine foley cath care. :eek: Reassuring. Am I missing something?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

Check with the BON about CNAs straight-cathing. I'm suspicious of that one. And who is in charge of CNA education/job descriptions in your facility? You might want to put a word in about the no-peri-care.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Just to clarify: Are the CNAs performing both straight caths AND Foley insertions?

Either way, this is making me cringe.

Whatever savings this facility has made by having CNAs do this will be easily compensated by the cost of the UTIs which are surely brewing as we speak.

Hurray for cost cutting measures.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, DSU, Ortho, Onc, Psych.

I'm on Oz & I can't believe CNAs cath patients. This would definitely NOT be allowed where I am at the mo; I don't think CNAs anywhere in Oz would be allowed to do this.

Cleaning is all part of catheter care - don't your CNAs have to do training in this? I know many RNs/AINs here (assistants in nursing who are 2nd or 3rd year student RNs) just wash people in the shower & consider that cath care. Sometimes that is enough, but if you see foul dishcharge, or the patient smells, a good, sterile clean is in order.

Couldn't the patient smell himself?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well, this patient has already had a UTI(probably from poor technique). He was previously straight cathed q 6 hr, but then decision was made to place indwelling. For clarification, CNAs may straight cath, but do not place indwellings.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm on Oz & I can't believe CNAs cath patients. This would definitely NOT be allowed where I am at the mo; I don't think CNAs anywhere in Oz would be allowed to do this.

Cleaning is all part of catheter care - don't your CNAs have to do training in this? I know many RNs/AINs here (assistants in nursing who are 2nd or 3rd year student RNs) just wash people in the shower & consider that cath care. Sometimes that is enough, but if you see foul dishcharge, or the patient smells, a good, sterile clean is in order.

Couldn't the patient smell himself?

Well, the patient is not showered every day, and foley cath care should be performed every day regardless, but that's unfortunately not happening. :uhoh3:

p.s. Where is Oz? Like with Dorothy and Toto? ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, DSU, Ortho, Onc, Psych.

Oz = shorthand for AUSTRALIA. I wonder how Dorothy & Toto are doing BTW, he he he!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Well, this patient has already had a UTI(probably from poor technique). He was previously straight cathed q 6 hr, but then decision was made to place indwelling. For clarification, CNAs may straight cath, but do not place indwellings.

Heh I am sad to say that I immediately assumed that people were too lazy to cath 4x a day.

It's an unfair assumption but... yeah.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

When people straight cath themselves they usually do it over the toilet, and it is a clean, not sterile, procedure. This can be difficult for someone else to do, so if they are hospitalized, a foley is sometimes placed.

But peri/cath care is imperative, either way.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Heh I am sad to say that I immediately assumed that people were too lazy to cath 4x a day.

It's an unfair assumption but... yeah.

Well, the doctor ordered an indwelling as opposed to straight cath for reasons I'd rather not specify to avoid detail, but yes, laziness(I'm assuming here too) is playing a part in the lack of peri care.

I was a CNA before I was a nurse, and I specifically remember the foley cath care training.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult/Ped Emergency and Trauma.

Ok, please don't get mad at me for saying this, but my wife and I had a conversation before work today about dz that cause mental status changes = nursing homes vs. home care.

I told her I AM FINE W/ HAVING TO BE PUT IN A NSG HOME, I AM A BIG GUY, BUT PLEASE STOP BY EVERY ONCE IN WHILE AND MAKE SURE MY BUTT IS CLEANED WELL!!!!!!!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in family practice.
Ok, please don't get mad at me for saying this, but my wife and I had a conversation before work today about dz that cause mental status changes = nursing homes vs. home care.

I told her I AM FINE W/ HAVING TO BE PUT IN A NSG HOME, I AM A BIG GUY, BUT PLEASE STOP BY EVERY ONCE IN WHILE AND MAKE SURE MY BUTT IS CLEANED WELL!!!!!!!!!!

oh my thats funny but true. i am surprised by how many people in trying to get them independent thrust the tissue into the pt's hand and even though the pt just cleans the pubic area they dont care and you have poor grandma and grandpas with bad odor. Wipe it for them if they cant reach the back.

i9ts probably laziness that causes people not to do what they are suppose to be doing

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment