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6.8 Urinary catheterization: intermittent self‐catheterization patient guidance: female

Essential equipment

  • Personal protective equipment
  • Appropriately sized catheter (if carrying out this procedure in hospital, a new catheter must be used every time)
  • Mirror
  • Lubricating gel if using uncoated catheter
  • Suitable container (clean jug or receiver)

Pre‐procedure

ActionRationale

  1. 1.
    Wash hands using soap and water or an alcohol‐based handrub.
    To reduce the risk of cross‐infection (NHS England and NHSI [161], C).
  2. 2.
    Take up a comfortable position, depending on mobility (e.g. sitting on toilet or standing with one foot placed on toilet seat).
    To facilitate insertion of intermittent catheter. E

Procedure

  1. 3.
    Wash genitalia from front to back, with soap and water or 0.9% normal saline solution, then dry.
    To reduce the risk of introducing infection (Loveday et al. [135], R).
  2. 4.
    Wash hands using soap and water and alcohol‐based handrub.
    To reduce risk of cross‐infection (NHS England and NHSI [161], C).
  3. 5.
    Open catheter packaging or container. If using an uncoated catheter, a water‐soluble lubricating gel may be applied to the surface of the catheter. If using a coated catheter, presoak it in water to activate the slippery coating.
    To prepare the catheter and to ease insertion. E
  4. 6.
    Find the urethral opening above the vagina. A mirror can be used to help identify it. Gently insert the catheter into the urethra, taking care not to touch the part of the catheter entering the body.
    To reduce the risk of introducing infection (Loveday et al. [135], R).
  5. 7.
    Drain the urine into the toilet or a suitable container. When the urine stops flowing, slowly remove the catheter, halting if more urine starts to flow.
    To ensure that the bladder is completely emptied. E
  6. 8.
    Before removing the catheter from the urethra, put a finger over the funnel end of the catheter and then remove the catheter from the urethra.
    To trap urine in the catheter and prevent spillage onto clothing or the floor. E
  7. 9.
    Hold the catheter over the toilet or a suitable container and remove finger from the funnel end to release the trapped urine.
    To prevent urine spillage. E

Post‐procedure

  1. 10.
    Dispose of the catheter in a suitable receptacle.
    To prevent environmental contamination. E
  2. 11.
    Wash hands with soap and water.
    To reduce the risk of infection (NHS England and NHSI [161], C).
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