SPC maintenance — bladder flush by wearer

Everyday living
1

Hi,
I’ve had an SPC for a couple of years now and have experienced my first catheter blockage.
Corrective action required a rapid visit to A&E for replacement of the SPC and a bladder flush.
The flushing of the bladder seemed straight forward and I wonder if this something I could do myself as a matter of good practice catheter.
Some questions.

  1. I wonder if there are any NICE? NHS? Hospital? Other? guidelines regarding self flushing?
  2. Is there any obligation on hospital trusts to provide a flushing service as part of its catheter change service?
  3. How do you get hold of a bladder flushing kit?
    Grateful for the guidance and help of forum members in answering these questions.
1 Like
2

Hi, I have an urethral indwelling catheter and, like you, suffered my first blockage after having my catheter in for a few years. When it happened it was extremely painful. After ringing the district nurses up thinking they would help, they forwarded me to the Rapid Response team that cover such cases out from my local hospital. They not only change blocked catheters, but did washouts too. After I experienced too too many blockages it become a problem for my local district nurses to solve. They came out 3 times a week to do a washout. After awhile me and my husband did them and the washouts themselves are items I order on prescription as and when they’re needed. It has helped me enormously being able and free to do them ourselves. It sounds like you are on your own. Do you have good working hands and arms? If so it will be something you could do yourself. Have you the use of district nurses and a rapid response team, I guess you would ask your GP for help with that. The thing I know they’re worried about is the risk of getting a UTI when doing it. Hygiene is a top priority, but over the 3 years we’ve done this I have not got an infection. I hope you get sorted out and you’re washing out soon. Regards, Christine xx

1 Like
3

Thank you Hoistlady.
Your advice is just the ticket.
I’ll contact my GP rather than Dr Google.
Once again thank you.