types of catheters

what is a purewick?

• external non-invasive urinary catheter

  • female: absorbs urine by being placed between labia and connected to low suction

  • male: like condom that rolls over penis and collects urine into a drainage bag

• change every 8 hours

• used for:

  • urinary incontinence

  • patients who can’t get out of bed

  • low CAUTI risk

what is a foley two-way catheter?

• invasive, indwelling urinary catheter

• two channels: urine drainage and balloon

• used for:

  • urinary retention

  • accurate I+O monitoring

  • severe immobility/critical illness

what is a triple-lumen foley catheter?

• invasive, indwelling urinary catheter

• three channels

  • urine drainage

  • balloon inflation

  • irrigation: flushing bladder with sterile field

    • remove blood clots, prevent blockages, deliver medication directly to bladder

• used for:

  • post bladder surgery

  • hematuria with clot risk

  • continuous bladder irrigation

what is an intermittent (straight) catheter?

• temporary, sterile catheter inserted into bladder to drain once

• removed immediately after bladder is emptied

• used for:

  • urinary retention, but no need for continuous drainage

  • obtaining urine specimen

what is external urine management for male anatomy?

• non-invasive

• used for:

  • urinary incontinence

  • patients who can’t get out of bed

  • high risk CAUTI