1- A chaperone is required for this procedure. Begin by introducing yourself to the patient and clarify her identity. Explain what you would like to do and obtain her consent. 2- Prepare your equipment for this procedure. This is: a catheterisation pack a 12 – 14 Fr female Foley catheter a catheter bag antiseptic solution sterile gloves lignocaine gel a 10ml saline-filled syringe Position the patient on her back, lying as flat as possible. Ask her to put her ankles together and let her knees fall apart. Using an aseptic technique open the catheter pack and pour antiseptic solution into the receiver. Open the rest of your equipment onto the sterile field. Wash and dry your hands, then put on the sterile gloves. Drape the patient and place a collecting vessel between the patients legs. With your left hand, part the labia. Using saline soaked gauze balls, clean the urinary meatus with your right hand. Remember to use single downward movements with each gauze. With the labia still parted, and ensuring you identify the meatus, insert the syringe of lignocaine gel and inject the whole syringe. Warn your patient that this may be slightly uncomfortable and that it will take about 5 minutes to work. Using your right hand only, pick up the catheter by its sleeve and start to insert it into the meatus. Continuing to use the sleeve, insert the catheter until the end arm reaches the meatus. At this point, urine should start to flow into the collecting vessel. Inflate the balloon using 10ml of saline, ensuring that it does not cause any pain. NB the volume used to fill the balloon may vary depending upon the size of the catheter used, check the packaging for the exact volume to use. Attach the catheter bag. Gently pull on the catheter until resistance is felt. This is when the balloon will be resting on the urethral opening of the bladder. Dispose of your gloves and equipment in the clinical waste bin. Wash your hands. Afterwards record the volume of urine collected in the catheter bag and ensure that the patient is comfortable and covered. Source
