This document provides information and instructions on clean intermittent self-catheterisation. It describes the technique where a small tube is inserted into the bladder through the urethra to empty urine. It discusses the types of catheters available, how to properly perform the procedure for both males and females, potential problems, and tips for maintaining hygiene and avoiding infections. The document was produced by Shine Charity to educate those who need to perform clean intermittent self-catheterisation.

1. shinecharity.org.uk
info@shinecharity.org.uk
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01733 555988
Clean Intermittent
Self-Catheterisation
Clean Intermittent Self-Catheterisation is a technique which
is used to empty the bladder at regular intervals. This is done
by passing a catheter (small tube) into the bladder through the
urethra (passage through which urine leaves the bladder). You
should be taught how to do this by your continence nurse. It is
not a sterile technique, but it is a clean one, so it is very important
to have good hygiene standards when doing the procedure.
There are lots of catheters available. companies offer a home delivery
If the catheter is “self-lubricated”, service, whereby you send the
it means that after it is soaked in prescription to the company and
water for a short time it becomes they send the catheters to your
slippery enough to insert. Some home. Most catheters nowadays
catheters are pre-lubricated, which are “single use”. However, some
means they have a slippery coating people may need to use reusable
on them. With others, you will need catheters. A reusable catheter
to use a lubricating jelly to ease must be rinsed, dried, and stored
insertion. Your continence nurse in a clean paper bag immediately
will tell you how to use each type after each use. Change bags and
of catheter. catheter at least once a week.
Catheters are available on Your doctor or continence nurse
prescription from your doctor. will tell you how many times a
Some chemists will have to order day you will need to catheterise
the catheters for you, so make yourself. It can vary from once a
sure you have enough catheters day for some people to 4-6 times a
to last while waiting for your next day for others.
order to come in. Many healthcare

2. Clean Intermittent
Self-Catheterisation
If clean intermittent catheterisation Floor protection
is to be used on a child in school,
make sure the school and person Very careful hygiene should be
responsible for carrying out the observed at all times.
catheterisation are properly trained
to perform the procedure, and are Females
quite clear about when and where
it should be done. Furthermore, a Collect everything you are going to
school care plan must be in place. need. Take off or loosen clothing as
The continence adviser and school necessary. Gently wash genital area
nurse will help with this. from front to back. Use disposable
tissue and soap or baby wipes.
Most people find it easiest to Wash hands carefully, and dry them
catheterise whilst sitting on the on a towel or disposable kitchen
toilet. paper.
Procedure Part the labia and slide the catheter
gently into the urethra, making sure
List of equipment not to handle the end which enters
the bladder. The other end of the
Catheter catheter should be pointing into
the toilet or receptacle. When the
Mirror – may be useful for females urine has finished draining, slowly
start to pull the catheter back out.
Lubricating/anaesthetic jelly for If some more urine starts to flow,
males if used stop pulling the catheter and wait
for the flow to stop. Continue doing
Disposable tissues – or baby wipes this until the catheter is completely
out. Place the used catheter in
Unperfumed soap – the perfumed a disposal bag and/or sanibin. If
type may cause irritation using a non–disposable catheter
rinse it under a tap, dry on a paper
Towel – kept for this purpose only towel and place in a clean paper
bag for storage.
Container for urine if not drained
directly into the toilet

3. Males
Tips
Collect everything you are going to
need. Take off or loosen clothes as Try to avoid constipation because,
necessary. Wash hands and then if the bowel is empty, it makes it
wash the penis, taking care to wash easier to drain the bladder properly.
under the foreskin. Dry hands and A high fibre diet can help and advice
penis carefully, using disposable leaflets are available. If you become
paper. constipated, you may well begin
wetting between catheterisations.
Squeeze a little lubricating jelly Remember to drink at least 8
onto a piece of paper and discard. glasses of fluid a day as this helps
Squeeze a little into the penis if to avoid constipation and urinary
using anaesthetic jelly or on to the tract infections.
tip of the catheter if lubricating jelly
is used. If you are going to go on holiday
abroad, it is advisable to ask your
Gently pull back the foreskin and GP if you can have a letter for the
slowly insert the catheter, holding Customs Officials stating that you
the penis upright. Do not touch the have catheters with you. If you are
end of the catheter that is going into in doubt about the water in the
the bladder. country you are visiting, it would be
best to use bottled water. Always
When the urine has finished draining, remember to take enough supplies
slowly start to pull the catheter back of catheters with you when going
out. If some more urine starts to flow, on holiday, either in this country or
stop pulling the catheter and wait for abroad. Remember to put them in
the flow to stop. Continue doing this your hand luggage if you are going
until the catheter is completely out. on an aeroplane, as sometimes
suitcases can get mislaid.
Place the used catheter in disposal
bag and/or sanibin. If using a
non–disposable catheter rinse it
under the tap, dry on a paper towel
and place in a clean paper bag for
storage.

4. blood thinning medications (eg
Potential problems warfarin). Do not stop catheterising!
Urine infections Pain on catheterising
If your urine becomes cloudy and You may feel some pain when you
smelly, you may have a urinary first begin catheterising, but this
tract infection. Other signs of does stop. However, pain can also
infection could be generally feeling be a sign of infection. If the pain
unwell, headaches, and a raised persists and/or there is blood on the
temperature. Sometimes, if you are catheter when you take it out, seek
wet between catheterisations, this medical advice.
may also indicate an infection.
Blood in the urine
Take a specimen of urine to your
nurse/doctor who may give you If you sometimes see blood in your
some antibiotics to take. Drink urine, don’t worry – it could be due
plenty of fluid – at least one full to a slight irritation or infection and
glass every hour (preferably not should clear within a few days. If it
coffee, coke or fizzy drinks). doesn’t, seek medical advice.
Cranberry juice can help to reduce
the risk of urinary tract infections. If you have any problems or questions
However, cranberry juice is often always ask your continence nurse,
contraindicated for people taking doctor or Shine adviser.
Help us
Shine relies on people’s generosity and support so we can help our clients
who depend on us for help and advice - people with hydrocephalus, spina
bifida, their families and carers. To donate to Shine please visit
www.shinecharity.org.uk or call 01733 421329.
This information has been produced by Shine’s medical advisers and
approved by Shine’s Medical Advisory Committee of senior medical
professionals.
Shine - Registered charity no.249338
To see our full range of information sheets and to find out how to donate to
Shine please visit www.shinecharity.org.uk