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Are Weekly Catheter Irrigations Necessary While Having An Indwelling Catheter?

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Posted on Wed, 19 Aug 2015
Question: Has indwelling catheter for one year, needed regular optiflows for bladder washouts. inconsistent care provided and mainly picked up at out of hours or emergency care provision due to lack of professional input. Washouts given when catheter blocks(regularly) and when regular bleeding occurred. After weekly washouts bleeding subsided, regular infections were less, immediate comfort was evident, eating and drinking and general mood improved immediately. Nurse think weekly washouts unnecessary but they have proven over time with regular changes to be the answer. Please advise as it seems unnecessary to go back to the practice of if and when. Have regular debris in urine. Thank you.
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Answered by Dr. Matthew J. Mangat (46 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Monthly irrigations are sufficient.

Detailed Answer:
Hllo XXXX and welcome to HCM.
Your concern is understandable.
As an Urologist, let me assure you that, weekly catheter irrigations are not done, unless there's a block or bleeding. Reason being, it invites urinary infections.
Taking him to hospital for that is also undesirable, as he's already under stress.
On treatment for prostate enlargement, silicon catheters need only three monthly changes. Don't worry about the debris formation, unless, he develops fever.
He should maintain 8-10 glasses of liquids daily.
Wishing him good health.
Note: Consult a Urologist online for consultation about prostate and bladder problems, sexual dysfunction, kidney stones, prostate enlargement, urinary incontinence, impotence and erectile dysfunction - Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Matthew J. Mangat

Urologist

Practicing since :1981

Answered : 1898 Questions

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Are Weekly Catheter Irrigations Necessary While Having An Indwelling Catheter?

Brief Answer: Monthly irrigations are sufficient. Detailed Answer: Hllo XXXX and welcome to HCM. Your concern is understandable. As an Urologist, let me assure you that, weekly catheter irrigations are not done, unless there's a block or bleeding. Reason being, it invites urinary infections. Taking him to hospital for that is also undesirable, as he's already under stress. On treatment for prostate enlargement, silicon catheters need only three monthly changes. Don't worry about the debris formation, unless, he develops fever. He should maintain 8-10 glasses of liquids daily. Wishing him good health.