USER'S GUIDE - Astra Tech

USER’S GUIDE

CONTENTSLoFric ® – It’s easy to use . . . . . . . . . . . . 5LoFric ® Cath-Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7LoFric ® Ready-Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9LoFric ® – Instructions for Men . . . . . 11LoFric ® – Instructions for Women . . . 12LoFric ® – Instructions forCatheterizing Small Children . . . . . . 14Special Tips on Clean IntermittentCatheterization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Urinary retention, when the bladder cannot be emptiedthe natural way, is a common condition. It’s a problemthat you share with thousands of people. The easy wayto manage this condition is called CIC, which standsfor Clean Intermittent Catheterization. CIC involvespassing a small tube, or catheter, into your bladderregularly throughout the day to empty your bladder. Byemptying your bladder completely on a regular basis,you can prevent complications to the urinary system.The LoFric ® catheter offers a proven and reliablemethod for bladder control, providing a sense of securityand confidence and the ability to lead a normal life.This booklet is for new LoFric ® users. It explainshow to use the catheters, step by step. And it introducestwo catheter kits that are convenient options whenaccess to a bathroom isn’t possible: LoFric ® Cath-Kit and LoFric ® Ready-Kit.

LoFric ® helps you keep yourkidneys and bladder healthy. Youreduce the risk of urinary tractinfections. And you avoid anxietyand embarrassment.

LOFRIC ® – IT’S EASY TO USEThe following instructions are for LoFric ® and LoFric ® Plus catheters.1 2 34 5 61. Start by washing your hands. Openthe pack carefully. Pull the tabs openabout 2 inches.2. Pour water directly into the pack.Use sterile water or as directed byyour physician.3. The pack has a self-adhesive patch.Just remove the blue tab and attach thepack to a sink or other convenient,dry surface.4. Let the catheter soak for at least 30seconds while you are getting readyto catheterize. The catheter is thenready to be inserted.5. If the catheter feels too slippery tohandle, pour the water out of thepackage, peel open the bottom ofthe package, and slide the catheterout, using the package to grasp thecatheter. Or, pour the water out andtear the bottom of the packagehorizontally a few inches above thetip of the catheter, pull the bottom ofthe package off, and use the packageto grip the catheter.6. You may also contact Astra Tech andrequest our special blue handle. Itis especially helpful for those withlimited dexterity.LoFric ® must not be placed on paperor cloth – as this surface will absorb theliquid coating.5

LoFric ® Cath-Kit is anoption when a bathroom isn’tavailable. Enough water to fillthe pack can easily be carriedalong in a small bottle.6

LOFRIC ®CATH-KIT 1 2 34 5 61. Start by washing your hands. Holdthe bag with the open end at the topand add water to the 700 mark.2. Push the catheter down into the tailof the bag and tie off the neck. Let thecatheter soak for at least 30 secondswhile you are getting ready tocatheterize.4. Ease the catheter up through the tailof the bag as shown and catheterize.5. After catheterizing, push the catheterback into the bag and tie off the tail.6. The bag has a tear slit for emptyingthe contents prior to disposal, ifnecessary.3. Invert the bag and tear off whereshown.7

LoFric ® Ready-Kit includeseverything you need – catheter,urine collection bag andsterile water. Perfect whenaway from home.

LOFRIC ®READY-KIT1 2 3 45 6 7 81. Always start by washing your hands.Hold the bag upright and squeezethe lower flap of the water pouch.2. Open the pouch by pulling the topblue tear-strip and allow the water torun into the bag.3. Continue pulling the tear-strip untilyou can remove the water pouch.4. Tie off the neck. Let the catheter soakfor at least 30 seconds while you aregetting ready to catheterize.6. Ease the catheter up through the bagas shown and catheterize.7. After catheterizing, push the catheterback into the bag and tie off the tail.8. Discard the bag with its contents. Youcan also open the bag at the slit, andempty it before disposal.Use the sterile insertion supplies(gloves, underpad, disinfection swab)as recommended by your physicianor nurse.5. Invert the bag and tear off whereshown.9

LoFric ® is safe to use evenif you perform cleanintermittent catheterizationover long periods of time.

LOFRIC ®– INSTRUCTIONSFOR MENSPINEBLADDERSPHINCTERMUSCLEBOWELPUBIC BONEPROSTATEGLANDURETHRARECTUMOPENINGOF URETHRAA cross-section of the male anatomy: In men, the urethra is 6 to 8 inches long andshaped like the letter S. Inserting the catheter becomes much easier if you lift yourpenis up towards the stomach – this way the S is straightened out.1. Wash your hands and prepare thecatheter.2. Find a position that is comfortable.Sit or stand as relaxed as possible.3. Hold the penis up with one hand andclean the tip with a moist towelette orsoap and water. Clean using a circularmotion, starting at the urethra andworking your way outward.4. Hold the penis up towards yourstomach. This way the urethra isstraightened, making it easier toinsert the catheter. If you are notcircumsized, pull the foreskin backand then hold the penis up towardyour stomach.5. Do not squeeze too hard.6. Bend the catheter at the funnel end,so the flow of urine won’t take youby surprise.7. Guide the catheter slowly into theurethra until urine starts to flow.8. When the flow slows to a drip, holdthe penis up towards the stomach,push the catheter in slightly to besure all urine is out, and withdrawthe catheter slowly.9. Dispose of the catheter and washyour hands.11

LOFRIC ® – INSTRUCTIONS FORCATHETERIZING SMALL CHILDRENParents and caregivers should ensure that they receive thorough training in childcatheterization at the hospital or the clinic. From the age of 4 or 5, children cangradually begin to learn to catheterize.1. When catheterizing a small child,it is best to place the child on a flatsurface like a changing table.2. Raise the child’s upper body using apillow to make sure that the bladdercan be emptied completely.4. Let the child take an active part incatheterization as early as possible.Special narrow LoFric ® pediatriccatheters are available for children.3. The urine can be drained into adiaper, a urine bottle, a bowl or a bag.14

SPECIAL TIPS ON INTERMITTENTCATHETERIZATIONHow often to catheterize: This variesa lot from person to person, dependingon your type of bladder condition, theamount you drink, and the differentmedications you may be taking. Yourdoctor will advise you how often to useLoFric ® .How much to drink: You should drinkat least 6–8 cups of fluid every day.Keep coffee and tea consumption to aminimum, since caffeine can irritateyour bladder.Personal hygiene: It is recommendedto wash the genital area with mild soaponce a day. Wash yourself gently inorder to avoid washing away the naturalbacterial flora that protects against infections.Bowel movement habits: Regularbowel movements are important,preferably on a daily basis. This willmake it easier for you to empty yourbladder completely.Problems that may arise: You mayexperience difficulty inserting thecatheter. This usually occurs becausethe sphincter muscle is closed. If youare tense and find it hard to relax, trycoughing a couple of times so that thecatheter can pass the obstruction. Youcan also apply a light but firm pressureon the catheter.If you experience chills, high fever, orcloudy or foul-smelling urine, you mayhave an infection. Drink plenty of fluidsand contact your physician or nurseimmediately.Travelling abroad: Take a sufficientsupply of catheters with you whenaway from home. If you have doubtsabout the quality of the water in theplace you are going to, use bottledwater. Remember that LoFric ® is alsoavailable as an integrated catheter/bagkit, with and without the waterrequired. Ask for LoFric ® Cath-Kit or LoFric ® Ready-Kit.Before catheterization: Always try tourinate the normal way. Relax yourpelvic floor and avoid pressing downwith your abdominal muscles.15

URINE RECORDDateCups of fluidtaken per dayVolume of urine passedafter each catheterization (ml)1 2 3 4 5 616

URINE RECORDDateCups of fluidtaken per dayVolume of urine passedafter each catheterization (ml)1 2 3 4 5 617

WHERE CAN I ASK QUESTIONS?Spina Bifida Association of America4590 MacArthur Blvd NW, Suite 250Washington, DC 20007-42261-800-621-3141www.sbaa.orgNational Association for ContinenceP.O. Box 8310Spartenburg, SC 29305-83101-800-BLADDER (252-3337)www.nafc.orgNational Spinal Cord InjuryAssociation6710 Democracy Blvd., Suite 300Bethesda, MD 208171-800-962-9629www.spinalcord.orgNational Multiple Sclerosis Society733 3rd Ave.New York, NY 100171-800-344-4867www.nationalmssociety.orgInterstitial Cystitits Associationof America110 North Washington StreetSuite 1402Rockville, MD 208501-800-435-7422www.ichelp.orgAssociation for the BladderExstrophy CommunityP.O. Box 87954Fayetteville, NC 283041-866-300-2222(910) 864-4308www.bladderexstrophy.com18

LOFRIC ® – SAFE AND RELIABLEIntermittent catheterization has becomethe preferred form of therapy for a largenumber of people suffering from urinaryretention problems.In spite of technological developments, the frictioncaused by inserting catheters into the urethra longremained an unsolved problem. Pain and the risk ofcomplications could not be eliminated despite the use ofgel and other types of lubricants. Until 1983, that is. That’swhen LoFric ® was introduced – immediately redefiningsecurity, reliability and patient well-being. Since then, theuser benefits of LoFric ® have been further developed andrefined on a continuous basis.LoFric ® is an example of Astra Tech’s dedicatedinterdisciplinary research that integrates medical advanceswith modern materials technology. The unique medicalproducts of Astra Tech aim to improve quality of life andreduce overall costs of care.77681-US-0209Astra Tech Inc., 21535 Hawthorne Blvd., Suite 525, Torrance, CA 90503Tel: 877-4-LOFRIC. Fax: 310-316-5296. www.astratechusa.com