If you use intermittent catheters, your healthcare provider may recommend catheter insertion supplies or a catheterization insertion kit.
Below, we’ll cover what catheter insertion supplies are used for, what may come in an insertion tray or kit, and how 180 Medical can help you find available product options based on your prescription and insurance coverage.
What Are Catheter Insertion Supplies?
So, first, what are catheter insertion supplies? These are any catheterization supplies that can sometimes accompany an order of intermittent catheters.
Items in a catheter insertion tray, such as gloves or antiseptic wipes, are provided to help keep catheterization more hygienic.
So if you’re looking for a way to potentially help reduce the risk of common catheter-related issues like urinary tract infection, using catheter insertion supplies may help.
Talk to your urologist or healthcare provider to see what they recommend.
Does Insurance Cover Catheter Insertion Supplies?
Coverage for catheters and catheter insertion supplies varies by insurance plan and by each individual’s diagnosis, prescription, and documentation. Some insurance plans will cover insertion supplies, while others may only cover straight catheters and lubricating jelly.
If you’re curious about your insurance plan’s catheter coverage, 180 Medical’s insurance experts can quickly verify your benefits. We’ll find out what types of catheter supplies you may be eligible to receive.
Then we can go over your coverage together so you fully understand which products you can get in your order based on your prescription, benefits, and individual needs.
What’s Included in a Catheter Insertion Kit?
So what’s included in insertion supply kits? It varies from brand to brand. Also, some closed system catheters have insertion supplies in the all-in-one package.
Here are a few of the most common items in insertion kits.
Antiseptic Catheter Wipes or Swabsticks
Most insertion supplies trays will have some type of antiseptic wipes, such as povidone-iodine swabs or BZK (benzalkonium chloride) towelettes.
Antiseptic wipes can be used to clean the urethral opening before inserting the catheter. This may help reduce the risk of urinary tract infections due to external bacterial contamination. It also generally helps keep the cathing process more hygienic.
Catheter Lubricating Jelly Packet
It’s important to fully lubricate a catheter before inserting it. Lubricating your catheter helps minimize friction in the urethra during insertion and withdrawal.
Friction from an uncoated or underlubricated catheter can make using it feel painful or uncomfortable.
Sometimes, advanced catheters like closed system catheters already include insertion supplies and a packet of lubricant. However, many catheter options like this are already pre-lubricated. Also, some are hydrophilic, which means they activate with water to create an ultra-smooth catheter surface. This acts as lubrication, which doesn’t slough off during catheterization.
If you use a pre-lubricated or hydrophilic catheter, you may not need to use the included catheter lubricant packet, but it’s nice to have on hand just in case.
Drape or Underpad
Insertion trays often include a drape or underpad. You might wonder, “What is a catheter underpad for?”
Some people lay out their catheter supplies on the underpad before they self-cath. Some people place it over their laps, while others may prefer to use a bathroom countertop.
This is especially helpful when cathing in public restrooms. Also, some parents who cath their children can use the underpad by placing it underneath their child. This helps not only protect the child in public restrooms, but also shield furniture or reduce clean-ups when cathing at home.
Pair of Gloves
One essential part of any catheter insertion supply kit is a pair of gloves. These keep your hands from directly touching the catheter tube or any other part of your sterile insertion supplies. This may help reduce the risk of urinary tract infections due to contamination.
This is especially helpful when you’re away from home or unable to easily wash your hands in a public restroom.
Urine Collection Bag (Catheter Bag)
Most insertion supply kits also include a urine collection device, such as a measured catheter bag. Urine drainage bags connect to the catheter funnel so you can drain urine directly into the bag without having to be near a toilet.
Urine collection bags can hold about 1000 to 1500 ccs on average, although some options may offer a larger or smaller capacity.
If using a closed-system catheter, the catheter tube is usually preconnected and housed in its own sterile collection bag.
How to Perform Self-Catheterization
Now that you know what insertion supplies are for, you may have additional questions about how to self-cath or use catheter insertion supplies. 180 Medical is happy to provide helpful tips and instructions for learning to catheterize.
We can include catheter instructional materials with your order. Plus, we have online catheterization instructions available now at www.HowToCath.com. These instructions are customizable for your needs based on gender, age (adult or pediatric), and catheter type (straight/uncoated, hydrophilic, and closed system catheters).
Also, here are some basic instructions for using an uncoated straight catheter with insertion supplies.
How to Cath Using Insertion Supplies
- First, get your catheter and insertion supply kit ready and have them nearby.
- Wash your hands or put on a pair of gloves from your insertion tray.
- Next, use your antiseptic wipes or swabs to clean the area around the urethra.
- Remove your catheter from its package and lubricate it with the sterile lubricant provided. You can either tear off the top of the packet and squeeze the lubricating jelly along the length of the catheter, or you can tear or cut off both ends of the packet, then slide the catheter tube through the packet to lubricate it.
- Sit or stand over the toilet. You can also sit in your wheelchair or on a chair (if you have a ready collection device such as a catheter bag or urinal jug). If using a catheter mirror, you can hold it in front of you to get a better view and locate the urinary opening.
- Now, you can begin insertion. Slowly and gently insert the catheter. If you encounter resistance when the catheter reaches the bladder sphincter, take a deep breath and gently apply more pressure. However, it’s important that you do not force the catheter. If it causes bleeding or sudden sharp pain, or if you cannot insert your catheter, contact your doctor.
- As urine begins to flow, you can typically insert the catheter another inch or so to optimize urine flow.
- Once urine flow stops, you can begin withdrawing the catheter tube to remove it.
- Lastly, throw the catheter and used insertion supplies away.
Where to Buy Intermittent Catheter Supplies
No matter what size or type of intermittent catheter you want, 180 Medical carries it.
If you’re feeling stressed about having to start using catheters, you can rely on 180 Medical. We know you’ve got plenty on your mind already. That’s why we make the process of getting your catheter supplies as pleasant and stress-free as possible.
We’ll take the time to listen to your concerns and answer your questions. Plus, our Product Specialists have the expertise to guide you through your options based on your insurance plan’s catheter coverage and your prescription. We’ll gladly provide samples so you can try and choose the catheter that works best for you.
Contact us today!
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Information provided on 180medical.com should not be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions about your condition, treatment, or medical supply needs.
