Bladder washouts in the maintanence of long term indwelling catheters - Essay Example

It has been found that catheter material should be appropriately selected to allow for safe washouts. Washing out of the bladder with sterile fluid is known as bladder washout and it involves two types. One, bladder lavage and the other bladder irrigation. Lavage involves washing out the bladder in sterile fluid indicated to clear an obstructed catheter and to remove possible sources of obstruction due to blood clot or sediments caused by infection. Irrigation is the continuous washing out of the bladder in sterile manner indications for which are prevention of formation and retention of blood clots and rarely removal of heavily contaminated material from a sick urinary bladder (Dougherty, Lister and Lister, 2004 p 275).

This paper deals with the role of bladder washouts in the maintenance of long-term indwelling catheters. Before going into detail of the washout mechanisms and other procedures involved, it is essential to discuss bladder function, incontinence and long dwelling catheters. The objective of this paper is to examine whether bladder washouts are ideal in the maintenance of long term indwelling catheters. Urine continence is the state of urine being stored in the bladder without involuntary leakage.

Stress incontinence occurs when the subject exerts coughs or sneezes. Urge incontinence happens while in urgency. Mixed incontinence happens when there is a combination of exertion and urgency. A UK survey found that one in three had bladder dysfunction among 10,000 adults of age 40 and above interviewed (Getliffe and Thomas 2007p 1) Collection of urine at low pressure and regular voiding of urine are the functions of the bladder and lower urinary tract respectively. The bladder is located at the pelvic cavity just at the back of symphysis pubis.

Lying outside the peritoneal cavity, it extends upwards as it gets filled between the peritoneum and the wall of the external body.