How to use silicone catheters correctly to reduce the risk of infection?

How to use silicone catheters correctly to reduce the risk of infection?
To use silicone catheters correctly to reduce the risk of infection, we can start from the preparation before catheterization, the catheterization operation process, the care during indwelling catheterization, and the precautions for catheter removal. The details are as follows:
Preparation before catheterization:
Strict evaluation: Doctors need to strictly grasp the indications for catheterization and avoid unnecessary catheterization. Catheters are only used when it is really necessary, such as when the patient cannot urinate independently or needs urinary system surgery.
Choose a suitable catheter: Choose a silicone catheter of appropriate specifications and models according to the patient's age, gender, urethral condition, etc. Generally speaking, adult males often use 16-18 catheters, and adult females often use 14-16 catheters. Ensure that the catheter is of qualified quality and has no damage or deformation.
Item preparation: Prepare sterile catheter bags, sterile cotton balls, lubricants, gloves and other items. The catheter bag should be within the validity period and the packaging should be intact and undamaged.
Patient preparation: Explain the purpose, process and precautions of catheterization to the patient and family members to obtain the patient's understanding and cooperation. Let the patient clean the perineum to reduce the number of local bacteria.
Catheterization process:
Strict aseptic operation: Medical staff should wash their hands strictly according to the seven-step hand washing method before operation, and wear masks, hats and sterile gloves. Follow the principles of aseptic technology, disinfect the urethral opening and surrounding skin, and the disinfection range should be sufficient and the order should be correct. Generally, the urethral opening is disinfected first, and then the spiral is disinfected outward.
Sufficient lubrication: Apply an appropriate amount of sterile lubricant to the front end of the catheter to reduce damage to the urethral mucosa during insertion. Lubricants should be selected that meet medical standards.
Gentle insertion: Insert the catheter into the urethra slowly and gently to avoid rough operation. The insertion depth should be appropriate. Male patients are generally inserted 20-22cm, and then inserted 2cm after seeing urine flow out; female patients are generally inserted 4-6cm, and then inserted 1cm after seeing urine flow out.
Care during indwelling catheterization:
Keep drainage unobstructed: Ensure that the connection between the catheter and the urine collection bag is tight to avoid twisting, compression or blockage of the catheter. The urine collection bag should be lower than the bladder level to prevent urine from flowing back into the bladder and causing infection. Regularly observe the color, properties and volume of urine, and report any abnormalities to the doctor in time.
Urethra opening care: Wipe the urethra opening and vulva with warm water or 0.5% povidone-iodine solution and other disinfected cotton balls every day to remove secretions. Male patients should pay attention to wiping the glans, coronal sulcus and other parts; female patients should pay attention to wiping between the labia majora and minora and around the urethra opening.
Replacement of urine collection bag: Generally, the urine collection bag is replaced 1-2 times a week. If the urine collection bag is damaged or contaminated, it should be replaced in time. When replacing, strictly follow the principle of aseptic operation to prevent infection.
Replacement of catheter: Silicone catheters are generally replaced once every 4 weeks. The specific replacement time can be adjusted appropriately according to the patient's condition and the doctor's advice. Strict aseptic operation should also be followed when replacing the catheter.
Encourage patients to drink more water: guide patients to consume enough water every day (generally not less than 2000ml) to increase urine volume, play a role in naturally flushing the bladder and urethra, and reduce bacterial growth.
Precautions for extubation:
Grasp the timing of extubation: When the patient's condition improves and reaches the extubation indication, the catheter should be removed in time. Extubation too early or too late may increase the risk of infection or affect the patient's recovery.
Correct extubation operation: Before extubation, first draw out the liquid in the catheter balloon, and then slowly and gently remove the catheter. Observe the patient's urination after extubation. If there are uncomfortable symptoms such as urination difficulty and urination pain, they should be treated in time.