People with neurogenic bladders, elders under elder care, and temporary medical issues may require a urinary catheter. A urinary catheter is an instrument used to empty the bladder. When people have bladder issues, they cannot empty the bladder normally. Urinary catheters are the first-line treatment for such issues.
However, using a urinary catheter is a double-edged sword. While it can empty the bladder effectively, it also opens opportunities for microorganisms to enter and infect the bladder. Thus, most people using urinary catheters rely on home care services in Massachusetts to regularly change and clean their catheters.
One way to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections is by regularly cleaning the catheter. If you don’t know how to manage a urinary catheter, you can rely on providers of home health care in Springfield, Massachusetts. Here are some tips you can use to clean or manage the catheter:
- Practice sterility
Practice cleaning or using the catheter with aseptic techniques. Aseptic techniques ensure that everything is clean before handling the catheter. If the catheter is due for replacement, allow healthcare professionals to remove it and insert a new one. - Observe frequent perineal care
Genitals should be cleaned more often to reduce the risk of infection. If a suprapubic catheter is in place, practice cleaning both genitals and the skin nearby. One can have a caregiver do the cleaning. - Irrigate properly
Irrigation helps reduce the risks of infections by maintaining a clear and unobstructed pathway for urine drainage.
While urinary catheters are beneficial, they increase the risk of developing urinary tract infections when cleaning is not observed. If your loved one has trouble managing or cleaning their catheter, allow us at Healthpoint Homecare Services LLC to help.
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