Clean Intermittent Catheterisation (CIC) is a method by which a person empties his/her own bladder by inserting a catheter. The catheter is removed after each emptying. This method has been used since the late 1970's and is a well-known and well-documented form of therapy.
CIC is a method that is normally referred to as the "Golden standard", as it:
- Protects the lower and upper urinary tracts
- Reduces the frequency of UTIs.
- Reduces urine incontinence
Technique
AstraTech is the market leader in catheters for CIC. Our catheter is called LoFric and is available in several different sizes and models. It is important you maintain good manual hygiene. Wash your hands with soap and water both before and after each catheterisation. Wash your genital area once a day. After soaking LoFric for 30 seconds, insert the catheter into the urethra and up into the bladder. When your urine starts to flow through the catheter, push the catheter in another couple of centimetres. Do not remove the catheter until your urine has stopped flowing completely. Remove the catheter by pulling it out slowly. Sometimes you may need to use handling aids, such as a mirror, a handle, a urine collection bag or an extension tube.