How to clean a catheter: Development of an intervention for intermittent catheter reuse.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objectives

Much intermittent catheterisation (IC) is carried out using single-use catheters. Waste and costs could be reduced by cleaning and reusing catheters, but is it safe to do so? To answer these questions of safety and sustainability, clinical trials are needed. In this study, we developed a user-tested catheter cleaning method and training materials for use in a clinical trial.

Methods

Focus groups selected candidate cleaning methods and developed draft instructions. Users then home tested these methods on uncoated, plastic-based catheters, which were cleaned and reused up to 28 times. Reused and cleaned catheters were analysed using advanced microbiological analysis methods. The refined cleaning method was further tested by a naïve user panel. Additio

SUBMITTER: Wilks S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11794242 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature