Please enlighten me;is the cna allowed to insert urinary catherer in any state?

[Blackheartednurse]

I had a conversation with another nurse and she stated that CNAs can be trained in performing an intermittent catheterization (I'm talking about home health aids) I personally think that is not true but maybe I'm in wrong here?

[Batman25]

They don't where I work. It's considered an invasive procedure.

[Blackheartednurse]

They don't where I work. It's considered an invasive procedure.

Also isnt this kind of procedure requires assesment??

[FloridaGatorRN]

In Florida if they have been trained they are allowed to insert Foley and intermittent catheters.

[whitn23]

I work as a Tech and I am allowed to do straight caths. Not all of the CNA's at the hospital are allowed to though. Only the CNA's on the unit I work on.

I'm in Indiana.

[Woodenpug, BSN]

A patient and/or family member can be taught to safely preform ICP. It is reasonable that a HHA or CNA can also be taught to safely preform this task. Unless the state board specifically excludes this from the Role of an HHA or CNA. (eg. tube feedings.)

There is an unexpected side effect of excluding a procedure from the role of HHA's and CNA's. Companies then hire "off the street" people, who do not have the benefit of licensed supervision and accountability.

[ObtundedRN, BSN, RN]

In NC they can. All CNA 2's can, and facilities are allowed to select up to 3 tasks from the CNA 2 skills that can be taught to the CNA 1's. So the CNA's of either level can perform this.

[Up2nogood RN, RN]

I think it depends on each states BON and what they will allow a facility to be able to delegate. I know in my hospital ED techs have training but are tecnically still CNA's and can insert foleys per our facility policy. My state also allows non-licensed staff in a variety of types of ALF, private pay and group home settings to administer medications with *training*. Scary.

So it doesn't surprise me that a HHA would be allowed to straight cath. I suggest you contact your BON for reliable information.

[rn/writer, RN]

Also isnt this kind of procedure requires assesment??

I can't speak to the rules within a medical facility, but in the home setting, this is a common procedure.

There are many types of patients who require routine straight cathing 4-6 times a day. As someone else mentioned, patients (some who are still children) and their family members are often taught how to do this. A properly trained CNA or HHA can also do the procedure.

Assessments would be needed for non-routine straight cathing or for Foley caths, as they would be dependent upon certain criteria. But most patients who routinely cath do it according to a schedule, not according to s/s.

Patients, family members, CNAs, and HHAs should all be taught s/s that indicate infection, obstruction or other problems, and they should have resources to turn to if any of these occur.

[TerpGal02, ASN]

I know in my local hospital ED Techs can perform caths, and they have to be licensed CNA's according to our state BON. ED Techs also start IV's and do minor splinting.

[PDXnursing]

In Oregon CNA 2s are allowed to do straight caths.

[KaitRN]

In the hospital I work for in Massachusetts, CNA's are able to insert foleys and straight catheterize, but I believe they need to be trained first. I think it just depends on the facility. I worked as a student nurse intern in R.I. during nursing school and the CNA's were able to insert IV's, which I was surprised about... So I think it depends on the training provided in the specific facility.