The patient (my mom) is a 2 person and hoyer lift transfer. She must go to a neurology appointment 2.5 to 3 hours away.
We have hired a cabulance for the travel. However, at some point mom will have to pee I am sure. She has never worn briefs. This is a disability that came on very suddenly and unexpectedly.
My question to you all is whether it would be better to have a foley put in or use briefs? There is no "equipment" at the university clinic she is going to.
She HAS to go to this appointment as there is still much uncertainty about her diagnosis and the neurologist is a movement disorder specialist.
I am a nurse, but have never been an acute or SNF nurse. I would just like some guidance about what you would advise if she was your patient in this situation.
Not asking for any medical advice. Just how to handle toileting needs for the long trip there and back.
Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.
Thank you. I will talk to the care manager about these options and let you know what we work out. The rehab doctor never calls back unfortunately so I end up doing everything through the care manager and sometimes it happens and sometimes not.
Definitely let us know what you find out from the care manager - my aging family member is 92 years old and I just started the conversation of a texas cath/condom cath for when he travels. Easy and provides more dignity than soaking briefs or having urgency while traveling. If only we had a fix as easy for women!
Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.
Definitely let us know what you find out from the care manager - my aging family member is 92 years old and I just started the conversation of a texas cath/condom cath for when he travels. Easy and provides more dignity than soaking briefs or having urgency while traveling. If only we had a fix as easy for women!
Also look into the Liberty / ReliaFit catheter instead of a condom cath. As long as he's not "turtled" it can be a nice option. Just make sure you let the BioDerm/Mastisol adhesive dry for about 20-30 seconds before you apply the device, and make sure you hold it on with heat from your hand for about 30 seconds afterward to fully activate the adhesive.
Liberty is the consumer version, ReliaFit is the healthcare version. We use ReliaFit on our unit, and it's nice for the incontinent CHF patients getting Lasix. (Because it's completely external, we don't need a doc's order for application.) You can connect a leg bag or a Foley drainage bag, and it really makes things more convenient and better for skin integrity and dignity.
Video here:
And yes, if only the female anatomy offered a similar option for women!!!
And yes, if only the female anatomy offered a similar option for women!!!
We use the purewick external catheter at my hospital. It requires a suction canister so it would not work for people traveling POV, but it is a nice option.
Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.
I would say a brief since at least you could change that at some point, maybe when she gets to her appointment.
A doctor generally will not order a foley for convenience because of the risk of UTI. I would stay clear of a foley as well for that reason, why add to your mother's illness.
Will she have an escort for the appointment? I work in a SNF and most places won't let us send a resident with any type of confusion unless they have an escort either a CNA or family member. I myself would rather have a foley places but I am willing to bet it won't be possible even by "family request." Foley or cathing are rarely used in LTC unless there are specific diagnosis for them.
We've looked at some alternatives to foleys here. There is a Hollister product for women which pretty much is just an ostomy bag that you fold and stick with it's hole over the urethral opening. Number is 9840. We were looking at the condom catheters for the boys, but I'll have to check out the Liberty.
sweet sunshine
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Does the cabulance have the ability to put her on a bedpan and a place to empty it. If so I would say send with a bedpan and brief on.