I am going to the hospital tomorrow to become familiarized with a Foley Catheter. I am squeamish. This is not for me. Advice?

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I am going to the hospital tomorrow to become familiarized with a Foley Catheter. I am squeamish. This is not for me. Advice?

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Imho, I will pray that you will get used to this - in time.

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NYC, was it as bad as you thought? Or manageable?

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Maybe they released Mom and she is busy. Usually training means they are ready to discharge.

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It IS very hard to do. You have to make sure you keep everything sterile. I take care of my paraplegic daughter and was taught by nurses how to do it just twice. It was alot to remember. Everything comes in a packet and has to be opened just so. My daughter and I had to resort to putting in a catheter a few times when she couldn't empty her bladder. It was not easy in any way. I have seen nurses in the ER put a catheter in my mother not even cleaning up all the feces. After knowing how difficult it was to do keeping everything sterile I could not believe how badly they handled it. If you can get someone to come in and to do it for you that would be so much better. I did not have that option. Don't feel badly if your unable to do this. It is not an easy thing to do!

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As both an RN and a Nurse Practitioner, I find it appalling and totally unacceptable for nurses or medical techs to handle a Foley catheter without cleaning up feces. The area around the urethra should be cleaned before inserting or removing a catheter. The catheter should be cleaned daily and as needed. Catheter insertion is done using sterile technique. If sterile technique is not followed it can lead to bladder, kidney infections, even sepsis. If you EVER see someone handle your mother’s Foley covered with feces...not cleaning it...or not following strict sterile technique when inserting a catheter, IMMEDIATELY ask to speak to the Head Nurse, manager, etc. to report this. If necessary, keep going up the chain of command until the problem is resolved. This is a form of elder abuse. It needs to be reported promptly. If you have to cath your mother, and are not sure or do not feel you have mastered this skill, insist on further instruction. This will increase your confidence, decrease the patient’s discomfort, and prevent her from getting an infection. Ask for supplies so you can practice “sterile technique.” Have an RN watch you, to make corrections, or suggestions.

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Tell them ...talk to hospital Social Worker...you’re not interested in doing that & you want her placed in a facility.
Don’t take her back home. Hugs 🤗

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I helped Dad with a catheter. It was awkward in the beginning but no big deal. You will have this mastered quickly. Your mom will be grateful for your help.

The worst part is thinking about it, so try to avoid that, if possible. Don’t complain to your Mom / this is both humiliating and can be extremely physically painful for her. She never envisioned or wanted this.

Once people get a certain age (or after women have kids) some type of urinary incontinence can just be a part of life.

If you feel she needs help getting clean, hire a CNA to help with showering.

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Well 6 days have passed and OP has never responded...guess we won’t ever know. She either is or isn’t doing it by now.

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Have a feeling Mom was sent home so she has her hands full.

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Nothing is natural for nurses; we learn all about every technique and treatment. Things that may help you: squirt bottles full of warm soapy water and warm clear water, bidet attachment to the toilet, learning how the foley catheter works, asking how long your mom will need her catheter (not having one is better overall unless she can not void without one), asking if she can have a suprapubic catheter placed if this will be for long term use (goes into incision just above pubic bone), use plastic gloves for perineal care (which includes caring for her backside), and if worse comes to worse ask for placement into rehab.

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Apples and oranges. As nurses...we have chosen this profession and are required to acquire several skills. It is legally mandated. A layperson may not have the desire, ability, or “stomach” to catheterize someone. Also, they may feel VERY uncomfortable doing this to a parent. I recommend if a layperson does not want to perform any procedure, they should not have to. I suggest getting a home care nurse/tech to do this. If necessary, return your mom to rehab or nursing home.

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See if you can arrange a home care nurse to do this. You should not be forced to do something you find scary, creepy, or unprepared to do.

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I am going to the hospital tomorrow to become familiarized with a Foley Catheter. I am squeamish. This is not for me. Advice?

39 Answers

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