Catheter

Catheterization is a medical procedure involving the insertion of a thin tube called a catheter into the body. This tube can be placed into various parts of the body, such as the bladder, urethra, blood vessels, or other hollow organs, depending on the specific medical need.

Indications for Catheterization:

Catheterization serves several purposes, a common use is for urinary drainage, addressing situations like acute retention, monitoring output in critical cases, aiding after surgery, or providing comfort in end-of-life care. Another crucial application is in dialysis, where catheters facilitate blood filtration for patients with severe kidney dysfunction. Catheters can also be used to deliver fluids, medications, or nutrition directly into the bloodstream, administer specific drugs, or collect fluid samples for diagnostic purposes. Additionally, catheters play a role in imaging procedures and other specific uses like feeding tubes and endotracheal tubes. The specific reasons for catheterization are determined by individual medical needs and treatment plans, making it a versatile tool in various medical scenarios.

Types of Catheters: Foley, Intermittent, Central Venous, and more:

Foley catheters:  These are indwelling catheters, meaning they are designed to stay in place for an extended period, typically days to weeks. They are inserted into the bladder through the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body) to drain urine.

Intermittent catheters: These are catheters inserted into the bladder for a short period to drain urine and then removed. They are commonly used by people with conditions that prevent them from emptying their bladder completely on their own, such as spinal cord injuries or neurogenic bladder.

Central venous catheters (CVCs): These catheters are inserted into a large vein near the heart, such as the jugular vein in the neck or the subclavian vein in the chest. They are used for long-term administration of fluids, medications, and nutrition, as well as for blood draws and haemodialysis (a procedure that filters waste products from the blood).

Peripheral intravenous catheters (PICCs):Read More