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Updated: May 20, 2026
Hickman Catheter Use for Long-Term Vascular Access in a Preclinical Swine Model
Published on: March 31, 2023
Parent and child experiences using a hydrophilic or reused PVC catheter for intermittent catheterisation
Hope E Chick1, Kathleen F Hunter, Katherine N Moore
1Children's Home Care, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Insights
Children with spina bifida using intermittent catheterisation (IC) face challenges. Hydrophilic catheters may enhance child independence and confidence, but user choice remains important for families.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Urology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Quality of Life Studies
Background:
- Children with spina bifida often experience bladder emptying difficulties.
- Intermittent catheterisation (IC) is crucial for managing bladder emptying and preserving renal health in these children.
- The personal and familial impact of IC requires further exploration beyond its physical benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the challenges families and children with spina bifida encounter when adapting to intermittent catheterisation.
- To compare user satisfaction between polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and hydrophilic catheters for intermittent catheterisation.
- To identify factors influencing the adjustment process and user preferences in catheter selection.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive study analyzing satisfaction data from a randomized controlled trial comparing PVC and hydrophilic catheters.
- Inclusion of a 'Satisfaction Questionnaire' and follow-up interviews with parents or older children post-catheterisation.
- Thematic analysis of qualitative data to identify emerging themes related to catheter use and adjustment.
Main Results:
- Three primary themes emerged: adjustment to catheterisation, ease of use, and self-reliance.
- Hydrophilic catheters were associated with increased child independence and confidence.
- Successful self-management strategies for hydrophilic catheters were identified, alongside reasons for challenges and preferences for PVC catheters.
Conclusions:
- Hydrophilic catheters show potential to improve the quality of life for children with spina bifida and their families.
- User choice in catheter product selection is essential for optimizing care and well-being.
- Nurses play a vital role in guiding families through the challenges of incontinence, promoting self-worth and reducing social isolation.
Aims And Objectives:
To highlight the challenges faced in adjusting to intermittent catheterisation for families and children affected by spina bifida.
Background:
Toileting is a particular issue for children with spina bifida resulting in difficulty emptying their bladder. Management of incomplete emptying is intermittent catheterisation, which is now part of routine clinical care. The physical benefits of intermittent catheterisation are critical to renal health, and significant attention has been paid to this; less attention has been given to the personal aspects for the family or older child.
Design:
A descriptive study of satisfaction with two products for intermittent catheterisation: polyvinyl chloride and hydrophilic catheters based on data obtained from a randomised controlled trial on urinary tract infections in catheter users.
Methods:
At the end of each of the polyvinyl chloride and hydrophilic study arms, parents or older children completed a 'Satisfaction Questionnaire' and then participated in a follow-up interview. Data were analysed for emerging themes.
Conclusions:
Three themes emerged: adjustment, ease of use and self-reliance. Key findings include: increased independence and confidence of the child catheterising using the hydrophilic catheter, self-management strategies to successfully manipulate the slippery hydrophilic catheter and reasons for the lack of success, and identification of participants who preferred polyvinyl chloride catheters. Descriptive data revealed potential areas where a hydrophilic catheter could improve the lives of the family and child as well as noting the need for user choice in product selection.
Relevance To Clinical Practice:
Listening to the stories of children and families increases the nurse's ability to act as a guide as families struggle to assist their children in reaching their potential. Incontinence has been demonstrated to be the cause of self-isolation potentially leading to a decreased sense of self-worth. Ambulatory care nurses play a large role in helping families find the routine and resources necessary to reduce the incidence of incontinence, in children with spina bifida.
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