12.6.3: Procedure- Assisting with the Use of a Condom Catheter
Condom catheters are worn by some males to assist with urination. This urinary drainage system allows a patient to engage in their normal activities, while not having to be concerned about problems with urination such as incontinence. It is a less invasive urinary drainage system than an indwelling catheter and has a low risk of infection. It is important for Home Health Aides/Personal Care Aides to ensure the tubing to this urinary drainage system is not kinked or twisted, and that the drainage collection bag is worn below the level of the bladder.
- Explain the procedure to the patient.
- Wash your hands. Apply gloves.
- Assemble equipment needed (soap, wash cloth, towel, condom catheter, skin protectant, drainage bag).
- Raise bed to a safe working height. Lock the brakes. Place the patient in a supine position.
- Maintain patient’s privacy. Only expose genital area.
- Remove the old condom catheter if one is in place by detaching it from the drainage system tubing and rolling the condom down and off the penis, starting at the base of the penis and rolling towards the tip of the penis. Dispose of the old condom catheter.
- Wash the penis carefully with soap and warm water (temperature no greater than 105 degrees Fahrenheit). For uncircumcised males, push the foreskin down the shaft of the penis and clean the head (glans) of the penis. The glans of the penis should be washed using a circular motion from the opening of the urinary meatus outward. Wash the shaft of the penis using downward strokes. Dry well. Remember to move the foreskin back up. If the foreskin is not reduced (put back into its original place), swelling will result due to circulation of blood to the penis being cut off.
- Observe the penis for sores, open or red areas, and broken skin.
- Attach the condom catheter to tubing of the collection system.
- Push pubic hair away from the shaft of the penis to prevent it from sticking to the skin protectant or condom.
- Apply skin protectant to the shaft of the penis and allow to dry. It will be sticky.
- Hold the base of the penis with your non-dominant hand. With your dominant hand, roll the condom catheter onto the penis, starting at the tip of the penis and then over the shaft of the penis, toward the base. Leave about 1 inch of space between the glans of the penis and the drainage tip to prevent irritation.
- If tape is being used to secure the condom in place, apply it in a spiral manner, starting at the top of the penis, working downward.
- Ensure that the tubing for the collection system is connected to the condom.
- Secure the tubing to the patient’s thigh with tape, a Velcro leg strap, or the method directed by the agency.
- Ensure that the tip of the condom is not twisted. Ensure the tubing to the collection system is not kinked or twisted. The collection system tubing and drainage bag should always be kept below the level of the bladder. This ensures that urine from the drainage bag does not move back up to the penis.
- Lower the bed to its lowest position. Ensure bed rails are raised.
- Discard used supplies.
- Discard gloves and wash your hands.
- Document application of the condom catheter and any skin conditions, such as sores, swelling, red, or raw areas observed.