PureWick Female External Catheter FAQs
What is the purpose of the external catheter?
PureWick Female External Catheter is a non-invasive way to manage urinary incontinence at home. Used with a PureWick Catheter system to reduce risk of moisture lesions by wicking urine away from the body, external catheters are an alternative to incontinence pads and indwelling catheters for female patients.
How does it work?
- PureWick Female External Catheters work outside the body to draw urine away effectively, keeping skin dry and controlling odor, which reduces the risk of the leading cause of skin problems. The soft material wicks urine down to the base. Used with the PureWick Urine Collection system, the continuous low-pressure suction at the base removes urine and collects it in a suction canister.
- Replace every 8-12 hours or if soiled with feces or blood and always check the site for any skin breakdown and perform perineal care prior to placement of a new external catheter
- Caution: to avoid potential injury, do not push or pull against the skin upon placement or removal.
How does the PureWick Female External Catheter stay in place?
Mesh underwear can be worn to help the catheter say in place.
How often should a PureWick Female External Catheter be changed?
- Replace every 8-12 hours or if soiled with feces or blood.
- Always check the site for any skin breakdown and perform perineal care prior to placement of a new external catheter.
Who Should Be Using This Product?
Adult female patients/users who:
- Desire a non-invasive way to manage urine output
- Require urine monitoring but do not meet indications for the use of a Foley catheter
- Are Post-surgical or immobile
- Have been placed on bed rest
- Find using a bedpan difficult
- Have difficulty walking from bed to toilet or chair to toilet
- Experience skin irritation or irritation due to urinary incontinence or incontinence pads
- Have disrupted sleep due to urinary incontinence
Who should not use a PureWick Female External Catheter?
The following individuals may not be the best candidate for external catheters:
- Individuals with urinary retention
- Patients/users who are agitated or uncooperative who might remove the external catheter
- Those who are ambulatory and move safely to the restroom
- Patients/users experiencing menstruation who can not use a tampon
- Individuals who experience skin breakdown at the catheter site
How to use place a PureWick Female External Catheter:
- Wash hands thoroughly.
- Using standard suction tubing, connect the PureWick Female External Catheter to the collection canister.
- Perform perineal check and assess skin integrity.
- Separate legs, gluteus muscles, and labia. Palpate pubic bone for an anatomical marker.
- Gauze side facing patient, align the distal end of the external catheter at gluteal cleft. Tuck gauze side gently between separated gluteus and labia.
- Place legs back together slowly.
How to Remove a PureWick Female External Catheter:
- Wash hands thoroughly.
- Fully separate legs, gluteus muscles, and labia.
- Gently pull external catheter directly outward to avoid potential injury to skin. Make sure suction is maintained during removal.
- Replace every 8-12 hours or if soiled with feces or blood.
- Always check the site for any skin breakdown and perform perineal care prior to placement of a new external catheter.
How often should the accessories and PureWick Urine Collection System be cleaned?
The accessories and the PureWick Urine Collection System should be cleaned and disinfected daily. Detailed instructions on cleaning and disinfection are outlined in the PureWick Urine Collection System User Guide.
The label on the PureWick Urine Collection System says the product contains lead. What part of the device contains lead?
The power cord is the part of the device that contains lead. The lead is contained in the interior wiring of the power cord.
How much suction is coming from the PureWick Urine Collection System?
Approximately 120 mmHg – 140 mmHg.
How often do you need to replace the canister and tubing?
Replace the canister and tubing according to the PureWick Urine Collection System User Guide. Canister and tubing to be replaced every 60 days or per facility protocol, whichever is sooner
Directions
How to use place a PureWick Female External Catheter: Wash hands thoroughly. Using standard suction tubing, connect the PureWick Female External Catheter to the collection canister. Perform perineal check and assess skin integrity. Separate legs, gluteus muscles, and labia. Palpate pubic bone for an anatomical marker. Gauze side facing patient, align the distal end of the external catheter at gluteal cleft. Tuck gauze side gently between separated gluteus and labia. Place legs back together slowly.
How to Remove a PureWick Female External Catheter: Wash hands thoroughly. Fully separate legs, gluteus muscles, and labia. Gently pull external catheter directly outward to avoid potential injury to skin. Make sure suction is maintained during removal. Replace every 8-12 hours or if soiled with feces or blood. Always check the site for any skin breakdown and perform perineal care prior to placement of a new external catheter.
