Male PureWick Catheter: Enhancing Comfort and Efficiency in Urine Collection

Have you ever experienced unintentional urinary flow even as a child? The chances are that you must have. That is what a person with urinary incontinence (UI) issues has to deal with daily. It involves frequent and uncontrolled urination that compromises the patient’s quality of life. To manage the problem, doctors recommend using external catheters like the male PureWick catheters that effectively collect the urine leakages into a drainage bag or holding canister.

In this article, let us explore male PureWick catheters in terms of what they are and what benefits they provide. In addition, some of the best male external catheters have also been linked for the reader’s convenience.

What are Male PureWick Catheters?

Male PureWick catheters are single-use devices intended for external use for the management of urinary incontinence. These are worn over the penis where they stick for 24 hours. The user can pass urine (pee) into the catheter. From here, the catheter drains the urine into a holding canister via an attached tubing.

To do so, a low-pressure suctioning mechanism is employed by the device which is not felt by the patient. Being non-invasive, the system is preferred by both the patients as well as the caregivers as it does not cause discomfort and pain.

Components of Male PureWick Catheters

Male PureWick catheters are constructed using the following elements:

• A flexible polyurethane shell
• An adhesive layer to stick the catheter in place for 24 hours
• A spacer fabric layer that acts as a fluid pathway
• A drainage fitting that attaches to the standard hospital suction
• Vents that allow air intake

In addition, the pack also contains peri-care and drying wipes.

Placement of Male PureWick Catheters: Step-by-Step Process

To place a male PureWick catheter, the given steps must be followed so that the best results can be achieved with minimum risks:

Prepare the Skin

• Trim or clip the pubic hair if they are significant as it might interfere with the catheter placement.
• Using the peri-care wipes given with the product, clean the penis and the surrounding skin areas.
• Check the integrity of the skin. Look for any signs of redness, rashes, or sores.
• If the skin is intact, dry it with the drying wipes and wait for a few minutes before applying the male PureWick catheter. This further ensures that the skin is fully dried as even a little moisture can cause skin irritation and rashes.

Prepare the Drainage Assembly

• Connect the urine-holding canister to the wall suction. It is advised to set the pressure low at about 40 mmHg for continuous suctioning.
• Connect a standard suction tubing with the holding canister.

Place the Male PureWick Catheter

• Now, place the male PureWick catheter by sliding its opening over the penis until it is close to the pelvic skin.
• Make sure that the penis is centered within the catheter opening.
• Fix the catheter in place by removing the adhesive liner on the device followed by pressing it against the skin.
• Do not place the scrotum into the catheter.

How to Remove a Male PureWick Catheter?

Once the 24-hour recommended period has passed, there is a need to remove and replace the male PureWick catheter. If done improperly, this step can become the cause of skin irritation or injury. Therefore, it is necessary to remove the catheter gently.

In this regard, you should lift the top edge of the catheter off the skin. Now, remove the device slowly by peeling it in a downward motion. If the catheter is strongly attached to the skin, place the washcloth over the male PureWick catheter for a few seconds to loosen the adhesive.

Using Male PureWick Catheters: Possible Risks and their Management

With the use of Male PureWick catheters, there are a few clinically significant adverse effects. Here is what they are and how can you prevent them:

Risks

• Skin injury
• Skin irritation
• Allergic reaction

 Prevention

• To prevent skin issues as well as allergies while using male PureWick catheters, make sure to always peel the device gently after its 24-hour usage period. Never pull the catheter directly away from the patient.
• Always perform perineal care on and around the penile area. You can use the wipes that are provided with the product.
• Never employ a new male PureWick catheter on wet skin. Let the skin completely dry before its application.
• Check the patient’s skin after every 2 hours.
• Always monitor the tension on the device whenever the patient moves or turns.
• Male PureWick catheters are suitable for 24-hour usage only. After this, they need replacement. Never exceed this recommended usage period.
• Change the male PureWick catheter before 24 hours if it has been soiled with blood, semen, or feces.
• Make sure to remove the male PureWick catheters before ambulation.

Male PureWick Catheters: Frequently Asked Questions

The following section covers some of the FAQs regarding the use of male PureWick catheters:

1.      How often should I change the male PureWick catheter?

Each male PureWick catheter can be used for up to 24 hours. After this, it needs replacement. However, you can also change the catheter before 24 hours if it has been soiled with blood, feces, or semen.

2.      Is it necessary to trim pubic hair before using a male PureWick catheter?

Yes. Clipping or trimming the pubic hair before applying a male PureWick catheter is important. This is because the catheter can adhere strongly to a trimmed area as compared to a hairy surface.

3.      Can I reuse male PureWick catheters?

No. Male PureWick catheters are single-use products that can only be employed once. However, you can reuse the suction tubing and holding canister after cleaning.

4.      When does the drainage assembly need replacement?

The suction tubing and holding canister can be used for up to 60 days. Keep in mind that regular cleaning is necessary during this period.

5.      Who should not use male PureWick catheters?

Male PureWick catheters are not suitable for patients with urinary retention.

Male External Catheters at Health Supply 770: Features and Specifications

Male external catheters are used for managing the leaking urine during incontinence issues. These are non-invasive, single-use devices that can be worn by the patients themselves or by a caregiver without seeking professional help.

While learning about male PureWick catheters, it is also important to become familiar with some of the best products available in the US market. Some of these top-quality male external catheter brands are also available at Health Supply 770 and have been detailed below along with their features and purchase links:

6530 Coloplast Freedom Clear Advantage Self Adhering Male External Catheter with Aloe and Kink Resistant Nozzle 40mm Diameter Extra Large Latex Free Transparent

US$97.88

Product Details

6530 Coloplast Freedom clear advantage self-adhering male external catheters are the devices that effectively manage urinary incontinence issues. These are used externally due to their non-invasive design. The product is non-sterile and can only be used once. Furthermore, these 6530 Coloplast Freedom clear advantage self-adhering male external catheters are 40 mm in size which accounts for an extra-large catheter.

In addition, these 6530 Coloplast Freedom clear advantage self-adhering male external catheters are manufactured using soft and flexible construction material. That’s why, the catheter remains bendable when worn and does not interfere the day-to-day activities. The absence of irritant materials like latex further renders the product suitable for use among patients with sensitive skin types.

Moreover, a strong adhesive strip has been incorporated into the design of these 6530 Coloplast Freedom clear advantage self-adhering male external catheters which keeps the product in place when donned on. As a preventive measure against skin irritation, a thin layer of aloe vera is also applied which soothes the skin.

Bard # 938383 Male External Catheter Spirit™3 Self-Adhesive Seal Hydrocolloid Silicone Small

US$195.88

Product Details

Bard # 938383 Spirit™3 self-adhesive seal hydrocolloid-based male external catheters are urinary management devices that are soft and flexible. These have a size of 25 mm and are non-sterile products.

The ingle-use nature of these Bard # 938383 Spirit™3 self-adhesive seal hydrocolloid-based male external catheters allows one-time usage followed by disposal. This way, the need to wash and sanitize the device is eliminated.

Moreover, these Bard # 938383 Spirit™3 self-adhesive seal hydrocolloid-based male external condom catheters can be worn easily over the penis without the help of a trained healthcare provider. Their strong adhesive keeps the device firmly in place during the recommended usage period.

Bard # 961149 Male External Catheter Spirit™2 Self-Adhesive Band Hydrocolloid Silicone Medium

US$163.88

Product Details

Bard # 961149 Spirit™2 male external catheters are self-adhesive devices used for collecting urinary leakages and directing them to the drainage bag. These have a size of 29 mm and are non-sterile products.

The construction material of these Bard # 961149 Spirit™2 male external catheters is hydrocolloid silicone-based material which is known for being comfortable and flexible. Moreover, the product does not irritate the penile skin and, therefore, prevents breakouts.

97629 Hollister InView Silicone Extra Male External Urinary Catheter Medium 29mm Purple

US$91.88

Product Details

97629 Hollister InView Silicone extra male external urinary catheters have a size of 29 mm and are classified as medium-sized devices. These are constructed using latex-free material that ensures no skin irritation or redness upon regular use. As the device is transparent, it allows the visual inspection of the penile skin during catheter usage to look for any signs of skin irritation.

Moreover, these 97629 Hollister InView Silicone extra male external urinary catheters can be used for up to 24 hours. During this period, their strong adhesive, which is claimed to be 70% stronger than that present in most external catheter brands, keeps the device fixed in place.

33102 Next Rochester UltraFlex Male External Catheter Medium

US$179.88

Product Details

33102 Next Rochester UltraFlex male external catheters come with a medical-grade skin adhesive that holds the device firmly in place without needing any additional straps or tapes. The product comes in medium-size that suits most patients.

Furthermore, these 33102 Next Rochester UltraFlex male external catheters are constructed using silicone-based material that ensures softness and flexibility on the skin. The product is also non-irritant to the skin and has a small size that does not become prominent when worn under the clothes.

*Note: The prices mentioned in the article are taken from the Health Supply 770 website. These may vary over time.

The male PureWick catheters and other urinary management devices mentioned in this article can be purchased from Health Supply 770, a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products to you in the shortest possible time. Click the link at the end of the article to check the wide range of male external catheters.

Conclusion

Urinary incontinence is a condition associated with uncontrolled and unintentional urine flow due to poor bladder control, dementia , prostate issues, mobility problems, etc. This sudden urinary flow can be managed by using a male external catheter.

In this regard, the use of male PureWick catheters is often preferred by healthcare providers as well as patients. This is because the product is easy to employ, adheres to the skin firmly, does not cause skin issues, and allows day-to-day movements. Moreover, its construction material is breezy and comfortable.

Considering the importance of male PureWick catheters, these should be purchased and kept in storage for future use. For purchasing different male PureWick catheters, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.

References

https://cdn.clinicaltrials.gov/large-docs/60/NCT05955560/Prot_000.pdf