Urinary Catheter Care

What is Urinary Catheter care?

A urinary catheter is a flexible hollow tube inserted into your bladder to empty it of urine. This process is known as urinary catheterisation. It is a specialised support provided by trained support workers and carers. There are clear standards and guidelines for providing urinary catheter care in both the health and disability sectors.

Why do we need urinary catheter?

Urinary catheterisation can be useful for people with bladder problems, such as:

• urinary retention – inability to empty the bladder, for example due to neurological conditions such as stroke and multiple sclerosis, or other factors such as faecal impaction or enlarged prostate
• bladder obstruction – for example, caused by bladder stones or narrowing of the urethra (the passage from the bladder to the outside).

It can also be useful on a temporary basis, such as:

• to help people to retrain their bladder – catheterisation can be discontinued as soon as bladder control is re-established
• after surgery to the genital area – such as prostate gland or hip surgery or a hysterectomy
• (as an indwelling catheter) for the first few days after major surgery or to monitor fluid output in patients receiving intravenous fluids. 

Management and supports available for bowel care

Your doctor will work with you to write up a Urinary Catheter Management plan. This plan may include medications, supplies and other treatments.

Your doctor and carers may need to discuss your management plan so that everyone understands what is needed. Not only is this important for physical health, but urinary catheter management issues can have an impact on your social and mental health.  

Urinary Catheter care and the NDIS

If you have a permanent and significant disability, you might be able to access the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The NDIS funds many disability-related health supports that can help you put your urinary catheter plan in place. These include catheter supplies, occupational therapy, and the training and ongoing assistance of a support worker. 

Find out who to contact about the NDIS where you live for more information about accessing the Scheme.

If you’re already an NDIS participant and want to know how to access urinary catheter supports, talk to us. We are an NDIS registered provider and our knowledgeable staff are experienced in navigating the NDIS and can ensure you make the most of your plan.

You should be involved in the assessment and development of your urinary catheter management plan, including how any risks and emergencies will be managed. Anyone providing urinary catheter care to you should be suitably skilled and trained.

How Caremantra can support you

We recognise complexity in the management of individuals needing urinary catheter management and care. Though replacing and disposing of bags and monitoring health of people using indwelling and suprapubic catheters can be part of a general support worker role, insertion of the catheter is done only by a health practitioner. In some cases, our support workers may insert an intermittent catheter and drain the bladder with an oversight by a health practitioner. We always obtain services from a Nurse and/or GP who are qualified to insert the urinary catheters. 

We provide in-home care and services to help you maintain your wellbeing and independence. Our trained and qualified staff will work alongside you to:

• understand your urinary catheter management needs and any related conditions,
• monitor any complications relating to the urinary catheter and      manage it according to your Urinary Catheter Management Plan,
• administer medication and treatments prescribed by your health      practitioners,
• provide support and services safely and competently, and 
• respect your privacy and dignity at all times.

We partner with specialist organisations to connect you with the allied health services that are crucial to your long-term wellbeing, such as nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and dietetics supports.

Fill out our Enquiry Form and we will contact you to talk about the right support options.