Urethral catheter insertion forces: a comparison of experience and training

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Medical Devices
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Urethral catheter insertion is a common procedure.
• Varying levels of experience among healthcare professionals may influence insertion forces.
• Objective data on insertion forces is needed to ensure patient safety and optimize device design.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the insertion forces used during simulated urethral catheter placement.
• To assess the impact of healthcare professional experience on insertion forces.

Main Methods:

• A 21F urethral catheter was attached to a spring and force gauge.
• Participants simulated catheter insertion and stopped at a point of typical termination.
• Peak compression forces were recorded, and participants were categorized by experience level.

Main Results:

• Fifty-seven healthcare professionals participated, divided into six experience groups.
• Urology staff applied the lowest average force (6.8 ± 2.0 N).
• Medical students, with the least experience, applied the highest average force (10.1 ± 3.7 N).
• Professionals with over 25 years of experience used significantly less force (4.9 ± 1.8 N) than all other groups (p < 0.01).

Conclusions:

• A maximum insertion force of 5 Newtons is proposed for urethral catheterization.
• This proposed force requires validation in larger studies.
• Findings can inform urethral catheter design, simulator development, and training competency parameters.