Self Cath Resources???

[BunnyBunnyBSNRN, ASN, BSN]

Anybody have resources to help a female student learn to self cath? I have a 4th grader with spina bifida that has weakness/fine motor skill deficient in her right hand - she is left handed and has some fine motor deficient in her left hand as well - who we (parent, me, and my HA) are trying to get to the point of independent cathing. She has already hit puberty (not that it is relavent to cathing) so, I believe she would be more comfortable if she could do this herself - especially as she gets to middle and high school. Mom says she wants to be independent, I'm on the fence about how the student actually feels about it - she seems to be really comfortable just letting us do the work.

The parents work with her at home and my HA and I had told her that after Spring Break we would start working with her at school with the goal of independent cathing by the end of the year. Mom confirms the student told her over the break that we would start at school after the break, but then came in today and said she wasn't ready and wanted to start tomorrow.

I had a long conversation with mom today - she works here as well - and mom says the student is having trouble seperating and holding the labia open d/t the weakness/fine motor skills.

This post has been way longer than I thought - sorry! I tried to give as much info as possible, but let me know if you have questions!

[AdobeRN]

I had a male student with Spina Bifida that I had to cath twice daily. Family received some of his medical services thru Scottish Rite - he attended a "day camp" during the summer thru Scottish Rite where he worked on independent skills - one of the skills was self cathing. Maybe check there?

[OldDude]

Practice, practice, practice...if she's actually ready to become independent.

[tining, BSN, RN]

I had same. Youtube has videos and I found a product that was easy to use.

We first started by me inserting cath with her watching in mirror. Then, me holding labia and her inserting. I had student practice in mirror to recap & get used to mirror image. I rigged up this bicycle mirror & attached the little square mirror, this fit under seat and was somewhat stable - the actual self-cath mirrors are $$$. Process took about 2 weeks, student was in 3rd grade. Very proud to do this on her own.

[BettyGirard, BSN]

There were some comic books...somewhere... hold on.

https://info.wellspect.us/hubfs/2018/Medikidz/Understanding Clean Intermittent Catheterization for Girls.pdf

(other activities and videos on the same site).

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

Maybe check in with a rehab facility and they may have some resources.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

so as usual, we have a timely topic posted here again! just got word that I am getting a young student with SB who will need CIC q 3-4 hrs. They don't anticipate it will be an issue while he is here since he will only be here for 3 hrs for pk, but i am a planner by nature and in all my years of doing this, i've never had a student needing this service. From what i've researched i don't think it can be delegated, nor do i know if it's a task that i would feel comfortable delegating (i mean this is my license!) My biggest concern is the rarity of my not being here and the admins trying to make due with my office uncovered. I've already had times this year alone when I was out for a day or two due to illness and my meds were just shifted, parents were called to admin at home or come in to admin. You can't do that with this. any words of wisdom? Is there a national position statement of delegation that i'm missing? (i mean i get it - people do CIC at home all the time - my dad had one before he got his suprapubic).

[BettyGirard, BSN]

I've not seen a student needing cath assistance for a while being in high school, but I certainly remember a few when I was in an elementary building. We endeavored to have subs but I told the student and the office and the parents that if there were days that no nurse was available, doing nothing was not acceptable, be it having a parent come in or calling the district nurse or whatever. The problem with the little kids and even the older ones is that they may be inclined to sit and suffer rather than asserting their rights. In fact, in some cases the student may be reticent to come down to the office even if they need to go and you'll need to be proactive.

Our district policy is that school staff can be trained and do the caths under "direct or indirect supervision of the school nurse." I would be uncomfortable with the definition of "indirect supervision" meaning when I am not in the building. I'm more in line with the special ed aids/teachers doing it while I am around but occupied with other duties.

Anyway, by the time they hit high school they're either able to self cath (I give them a wild card pass to my office) or they're in more specialized care. Of course, little did I know that I'd be doing indwelling caths now.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Coloplast Speedicath has videos for boys and girls, including those wheelchair bound:

Catheter guides for children - help your child keep a healthy routine

180medical DME has pediatric guides and videos, including cathing stoma; has kids club for support:

Things Your Child Should Know About Self-Catheterization

https://www.180medical.com/How-to-Cath-Girls/

https://www.180medical.com/How-to-Cath-Boy/

A Child's guide to Clean Intermittent Catheterization Girls

[BettyGirard, BSN]

Those were the ones I was thinking about. Google failed me ? It's been a while since I had the elementary kids.

[grammy1]

Our health assistants and special ed assistants all had student specific training to cath. Whoever happened to be free at the time the cath was needed did it. Anytime the health asst or I were out, the special ed assistant did it, leaving the other person free to see other students.