Tag Archives: catheter
Article

Understanding the Basics of the Modern Catheter Options

The thought of needing a catheter is enough to set most people to squirming, and that’s only natural. The devices have a tendency to be very uncomfortable, and most people find that the administering of the device can cause quite a bit of pain. The possibility of infection is great unless the medical professionals who place the device take all of the precautions. However, in some cases, you may need to have one of these devices. It might be because you just had surgery, or because of another health problem that requires it. Knowing a little bit about the different types of these devices should help to alleviate at least a little bit of the stress.

 

The most common type of catheter is the Foley, and they will stay right in the bladder to help remove urine over a long period. These are indwelling catheters, and that means that they are going to stay inside of your bladder. They have a small balloon at the end that the medical team will inflate in order to keep it in place. (more…)

Article

Making Smart Medical Equipment Purchases

When you have a long-term course of treatment that requires you to purchase medical equipment, you’ll find that it’s almost always simpler and cheaper to get it from an online source. The sites that sell medical equipment have a lot of variety and these options oftentimes translate to being able to save money by buying a cheaper brand of the same product. Doing this right, however, means that you have to take into account the medical equipment that was recommended for you and what your doctor thinks about alternative choices.

Getting Help with Medical Equipment

Your doctor is the best person to talk to about the supplies you need. If you find a brand of catheter that is less expensive than the one they recommended for instance, you’ll want to talk to them to see if it will work for you or if there’s something you don’t know about that brand’s design that might make it unsuitable. You’ll also want to make sure that any alternative supplies you purchase will be covered by your insurer. Insurance companies can be finicky about these things and, of course, you want to make sure you always get the most from your policy. (more…)

Article

Prevent Urinary Catheter Infections with Proper Care

People need catheterization for a variety of different reasons, including injury, accidents, and illness. Some people are incontinent and need to have some type of device to help them maintain some sort of control of their bladder functions. Others may need to have emergency surgery and need an intermittent device to remove the urine from the bladder quickly. While there are countless reasons that people may need to undergo catheterization, making sure that an infection does not occur is important for all of them.

One of the most common types of infection found when dealing with these devices is the urinary tract infection, or UTI. While other types of infections can occur, this is by far the most common. However, when you take the proper precautions, these infections are easy to prevent. Sterile practice and procedure are important whether you are taking care of your own catheter at home, or you are in a hospital with healthcare professionals. (more…)