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Intermittent Catheters

Collection of open-access resources supporting knowledge of conditions, technologies and devices

A brief history of urinary catheters

The word “catheter” comes from Greek, meaning “to let or send down.” Catheters were used as early as 3,000 B.C. to relieve painful urinary retention. In those times, many materials were used to form a hollow catheter shape, including straw, rolled up palm leaves, hollow tops of onions, as well as, gold, silver, copper, brass, and lead.

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State of the Evidence Review Articles
Written by Diane K. Newman, DNP, ANP-BC, FAAN
March 30, 2021
Intermittent catheterization is the method of bladder management in patients with urinary retention caused by a neurogenic bladder.  Neurogenic bladder can be caused by 1) upper motor neuron disease (for example, central nervous system lesions, including stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis [MS]);
Written by Diane K. Newman, DNP, ANP-BC, FAAN
March 30, 2021
Intermittent catheterization (IC) is the “gold standard” for individuals with bladder dysfunction caused by neurologic or non-neurologic causes, a significant and growing population in the United States.  Intermittent catheterization is the recommended method for individuals who are unable to void or completely empty the bladder.
Written by Diane K. Newman, DNP, ANP-BC, FAAN
March 30, 2021
Intermittent catheterization (IC) is the insertion and removal of a catheter several times a day to empty the bladder. This type of catheterization is used to drain urine from a bladder that is not emptying adequately or from a surgically created channel that connects the bladder with the abdominal surface
Written by Diane K. Newman, DNP, ANP-BC, FAAN
March 30, 2021
Intermittent catheterization (IC) is the preferred procedure for individuals with incomplete bladder emptying from non-neurogenic or neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD). IC is now considered the gold standard for bladder emptying in individuals following spinal cord injury (SCI) who have sufficient manual dexterity (Groen et al., 2016; Wyndaele et al, 2012).
Written by Diane K. Newman, DNP, ANP-BC, FAAN
March 29, 2021
Patients may be concerned about the discomfort associated with intermittent catheterization(IC), the need to maintain privacy, the fear of performing the catheterization, and the inability to find a clean and appropriate toilet or bathroom for catheterization when traveling outside their home. Clinicians need to consider these patient concerns in their teaching and recommend possible strategies.
Written by Diane K. Newman, DNP, ANP-BC, FAAN
March 29, 2021
The number of catheter types and designs has increased with the advancement of new technology. This has added complexity to the catheterization process for both the nurse and the patient. Catheter types are now gender specific, acknowledging the anatomical differences in urethral length between men and women.
Conference Coverage
Conference Highlights Written by Physician-Scientist
Presented by Christine Liaw, MD
Philadelphia, PA (UroToday.com) Urinary retention and incomplete bladder emptying after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and laser failures are caused by persistent urethral obstruction and/or detrusor underactivity (DU).
Presented by Nikki McCormick, RN
Philadelphia, PA (UroToday.com) Nikki McCormick, RN, Managing Director of Wellspect HealthCare, provided perspective on common indications of intermittent catheterization (IC), its’ possible barriers and burdens, various types of catheters and complications associated with a catheter used. According to McCormick, urinary retention is one of the primary conditions managed by IC.
Presented by Mary A. Wasner, RN, BSN, CURN
Philadelphia, PA (UroToday.com) Hollister Incorporated product expert, Mary A. Wasner, RN, has presented an assessment of catheter features that can potentially improve intermittent catheterization and reduce risks of infection.
Presented by Karen Spriggs, RN
Philadelphia, PA (UroToday.com)  Karen Spriggs, RN, Coloplast Clinical Consultant, offered a summary of male external catheters (MEC), its application, removal, and helpful tips. MEC is known as Urisheath, condom catheter, or Texas catheter.