Closed Urinary Catheter Systems reduce the risk of UTI infections. Although this urinary product is used by all types of urinary patients, they are particularly useful to wheelchair patients, pediatric patients and those who have a loss of dexterity. They are designed for public restroom use or home use. Common elements of self-catheterization kits are listed below.
Common Elements
- Pre-lubricated
- Self-contained
- Sterile
- Catheter contained within the drainage bag
Features
Many features are also common between the different brands of self-catheterization kits. These features include a catheter cap that protects the catheter tip until ready for use. The cap easily pulls off and is discarded. Many closed catheters come with an inducer tip that allows the catheter to by-pass the first set of millimeters of the urethra. This feature helps to protect against UTI infections. Pre-lubricated catheter reduces a messy insertion, reduces prep time and allows for a smooth touch-free insertion. An attached urine collection bag stores urine and has measurement lines to determine output. Closed System Kits may come with additional supplies, including swab sticks, gloves, an underpad, antiseptic wipes and gauze pads. Antiseptic wipes are usually impregnated with BZK or povidone-iodine to kill pathogens.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Lower risk of UTI infection.
- Supports wheelchair patients.
- Supports pediatric patients.
- Offers private and discreet catheterization.
- Integrated collection bag.
- Convenient for public restrooms.
- Ready-to-use.
- Sterile.
- Touchless application.
- Pre-lubricated.
- Bypasses the highest concentration of bacteria in the first few millimeters of the urethra.
Disadvantages
- Higher cost.
- Bulkier packaging.
List of Respected Manufacturers
Manufacturer |
Brands |
Convatec |
GentleCath |
Cure Medical |
Cure Closed System |
Hollister |
Apogee Plus, Advanced Plus |
Peco |
Elite |
Teleflex |
PocketPac, Rusch |
Bard |
Touchless, Magic Touchless, Touchless Plus |
Coloplast |
Self-Cath |
Rusch |
Flocath, MMG, MMG H2O |
What is the Difference Between a Closed System Catheter and a Touchless Catheter
TOUCHLESS® is a registered trademark of Bard Medical for their Self Catheterization Male Kits. However, Teleflex and Rochester also make catheters that may be inserted without requiring them to be touched in order to insert them. Touch-free catheters reduce the risk of infections.
Size Options
The diameter of the catheter is measured in French sizes, usually ranging from 8 to 18. These sizes have color codes associated with them for quick determination. Length sizes range from 6 inches for women to 16 inches for men. Some extra-long sizes are also available up to 24 inches.
Size Chart
Medical Studies
- Kunin, C. M., & McCormack, R. C. (1966). Prevention of catheter-induced urinary-tract infections by sterile closed drainage. New England Journal of Medicine, 274 (21), 1155-1161.
- Gould, C. V., Umscheid, C. A., Agarwal, R. K., Kuntz, G., Pegues, D. A., & Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee. (2010). Guideline for prevention of catheter-associated urinary tract infections 2009. Infection Control Hospital Epidemiology, 31 (4), 319-326.
- Warren, J. W. (2001). Catheter-associated urinary tract infections. International journal of antimicrobial agents, 17 (4), 299-303.
- Sedor, J., Mulholland, S. G. (1999). Hospital-acquired urinary tract infections associated with the indwelling catheter. Urologic Clinics of North America, 26 (4), 821-828.
- Stamm, W. E. (1975). Guidelines for prevention of catheter-associated urinary tract infections. Annals of Internal Medicine, 82 (3), 386-390.
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