How to change a suprapubic catheter at home?

If you’re reading this, congratulations! You are one of the lucky few who has been blessed with a suprapubic catheter. For those not in the know, a suprapubic catheter is essentially a plastic tube that goes from your bladder to outside your abdomen through a surgically made hole. It sounds like fun, doesn’t it? Well fear not my friends, for today we will be discussing how to change your suprapubic catheter all by yourself (but seriously though, please call your healthcare provider if you have any concerns or questions about doing this on your own).

Before We Begin

Before diving headfirst into the world of DIY surgery (just kidding), there are some things you should do beforehand:

Get Your Supplies Ready

You don’t want to start changing out catheters only to find out halfway through that you forgot something important. Here’s everything you’ll need:
– New Suprapubic Catheter
– Drainage bag extension tubing
– Sterile gloves (non-latex)
– Antiseptic wipes or solution
– Gauze pads/ swabs
– Adhesive film dressing/ sterile transparent dressing

Add anything else that makes YOU comfortable and feels necessary.

Arrange for Assistance If Needed

Especially if this is new territory for you or if it causes pain or discomfort – arrange for someone experienced in doing so to help take over certain steps during the process.

Step-by-step Guide: How To Remove Your Old Catheter

The first step is removing the old super pubic cathter (hooray!!!!):

  1. Wash Your Hands Thoroughly – This might seem obvious but we cannot stress enough how important it is to ensure optimum hygiene before and after handling. Do it well!

  2. Wear Clean Gloves – Again quality matters here as latex may lead to irritation and adverse reactions.

  3. Clean the Area – The area around the catheter’s insertion point, including where it exits from your abdomen should be cleaned with antiseptic wipes or solution. Be gentle here!! There’s no need to rub yourself raw, but make sure you’ve really given that area a good scrub down.

  4. Detach Drainage Bag From Catheter- This keeps air or fluids from entering into tubing.

  5. Remove Old Catheter Gently – Scrub off any crusts with saline/water if there are any at the entry site or junction between skin and rubber flange first then gently remove by holding firmly on the base of catheter against trunk in one hand while holding drain tubing together in other hand after cutting tape/clamp securing tubes together for better leverage.

Voila! You’ve successfully removed your old catheter like an absolute pro!

Now onto how to insert your new catheter…

Step-by-Step Guide: How To Insert Your New Suprapubic Catheter

This is where things get just slightly trickier…but don’t worry too much we have got you covered:

  1. Prepare The New Catheters – Get both drainage extension tubing and new SUPRA PUBIC (that’s what we call it nowadays) tube ready for insertion once they are sterile right out of their packing covers.

2a. Introduce Lubricant – Use ample lubrication on a clean non-linting cloth/swab, apply sufficient amount of jelly/lubricating substance over working length before introducing into bladder through stoma caused during previous surgery/penetrated opening.

2b] Enlarge Opening If Required- Consider using dilator 1 French size larger than current/internal diameter allowing smoother transition without causing trauma during exchange to newer version/incision inside fascial layers still healing postoperatively if needed(thanks medical terminology).

  1. Fill Bladder With Water – To aid in insertion first empty urine inside bladder then fill it up with room temperature sterile water.

  2. Insert the Catheter Gently- Slowly introduce the catheter into your body via opening at a shallow angle (45 degrees), pushing gently until you feel resistance and urinary flow begins.

Bear in mind
– Once resistance is encountered, direct catheter towards straight downwards using gentle twisting motion after passing through urogenital diaphragm under pubic arch rather than advancing further so that only desired length enters.
– The total length of SUPR PUBIC tubing could be around 6 inches to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm).

  1. Secure Catheters Well – Tapes or clamps can be used as an additional safety measure by flanging and giving firm hold over junctions between tubing’s and super public insertion site placed around base circumferentialy ensuring both drainage extension tube-connecting with collection bag spigot / outlet has intermittent screw caps on top for ease of detachment if needed.

And voila! You did IT! Congratulations once again!

Wrap Up

Well friends, It was not easy but changing your suprapubic catheter all on your own does not have to seem daunting any more thanks to our step-by-step guide dress-rehearsed specifically for such moments 🙂 .However please remember this should not replace professional medical care nor should you follow this blindly without seeking counsel from licensed providers. Stay safe my friends!

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