BLADDER IRRIGATION
Bladder irrigation or wash is defined as washing of the urinary bladder by directly a stream of solution into the bladder through the urinary meatus by means of a catheter tubing and funnel
Purpose
- To cleanse the bladder from decomposed urine bacteria, excess mucus and pus
- To medicate the lining of the bladder of antiseptic irrigation
- To prepare the bladder for surgery as a preoperative measure
- To promote healing
- To relieve congestion and pain in case of inflammatory conditions of cystitis
- To arrest bleeding and prevent clothing of blood
Solution Used
- Normal saline 0.9%
- Boric acid solution 2%
- Sterile water
- Acetic acid 1:4000 to treat pseudomonas infection
- Sodium nitrate 1:8000 to prevent clot formation
- KMO4 1:5000 – 1:10,000
- Acriflavin 1:10,000
- Silver nitrate 1:5,000
- Mercury compounds in low concentration
General Instructions
- The temperature of the solution needed for cleaning purpose body temperature in enough
- The temperature of the solution needed for therapeutic purposes ranging from 100-110 degree F
- The maximum amount of solution used for cleaning is 2 pints and also depends on the patient’s condition
Methods of Administration
- Funnel and tubing method (open method)
- Irrigation can, rubber tubing and Y connection
- Asepto syringe (open method)
Preliminary Assessment
Check
- Doctors order for specific precautions and instructions
- General condition of the patient
- Diagnosis of the patient
- Self care ability of the patient
- Mental status to follow instructions
- Articles available in the unit
Preparation of the Patient and Environment
- Explain the sequence of the procedure
- Arrange the articles at the bed side
- Provide privacy
- Place the patient in comfortable position
- Place the Mackintosh under the buttocks
Equipment
Sterile Catheterization Pack
A sterile tray containing:
- Funnel, tubing 3 feet long which fits the connection screw clip and glass connection
- A small mug or pint measures to pour solution
- A sterile pint jug with required solution
- Solution thermometer kept in antiseptic solution in a bottle if available
- Medication if ordered
- Bucket for emptying the return flow
- Litmus paper
Procedure
- Wash hands thoroughly
- Wear gloves and empty the bladder keeping outlet of catheter uncontaminated
- After urine withdrawal, attach glass, connection, tubing and funnel to the catheter
- Place bucket or kidney tray conveniently near the meatus
- Hold the funnel lowered with one hand and with other hand pour 75-100 ml of solution along sides of the funnel
- Raise the tube and keep the funnel 30 cm above bed level
- Never allow the funnel to be empty, lower the funnel and slowly invert in over the bucket
- Repeat procedure until the return flow is clear
- At the end of the procedure, clamp tubing disconnects glass connection, tubing and funnel, gently remove catheter and complete
- In case of self-retaining catheter connect it to the drainage bag
After Care
- Provide catheter care
- Remove the Mackintosh and position the patient comfortably
- Cover the patient with bed sheets
- Replace the articles after cleaning
- Wash hand thoroughly
- Record the procedure and observations in the nurse’s record sheet
