PureWick Accessory Kit FAQ's
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.