apparently peri care is optional

1 On our unit, CNAs straight cath patients. Initially this didn't bother me. However, recently I was changing my patient's foley bag and then asked if I could clean his penis. He looked at me like I had lost my mind. I told him the CNA should be cleaning the penis/cath when they change your foley bag to prevent infection. He said they never had/do. Thus, CNAs performing sterile procedure but failing to perform routine foley cath care. Reassuring. Am I missing something? Last edit by Art_Vandelay on Oct 9, '11
Check with the BON about CNAs straight-cathing. I'm suspicious of that one. And who is in charge of CNA education/job descriptions in your facility? You might want to put a word in about the no-peri-care.

Just to clarify: Are the CNAs performing both straight caths AND Foley insertions? Either way, this is making me cringe.Whatever savings this facility has made by having CNAs do this will be easily compensated by the cost of the UTIs which are surely brewing as we speak. Hurray for cost cutting measures.

I'm on Oz & I can't believe CNAs cath patients. This would definitely NOT be allowed where I am at the mo; I don't think CNAs anywhere in Oz would be allowed to do this. Cleaning is all part of catheter care - don't your CNAs have to do training in this? I know many RNs/AINs here (assistants in nursing who are 2nd or 3rd year student RNs) just wash people in the shower & consider that cath care. Sometimes that is enough, but if you see foul dishcharge, or the patient smells, a good, sterile clean is in order.Couldn't the patient smell himself?

Well, this patient has already had a UTI(probably from poor technique). He was previously straight cathed q 6 hr, but then decision was made to place indwelling. For clarification, CNAs may straight cath, but do not place indwellings.

Quote from carolmaccas66I'm on Oz & I can't believe CNAs cath patients. This would definitely NOT be allowed where I am at the mo; I don't think CNAs anywhere in Oz would be allowed to do this. Cleaning is all part of catheter care - don't your CNAs have to do training in this? I know many RNs/AINs here (assistants in nursing who are 2nd or 3rd year student RNs) just wash people in the shower & consider that cath care. Sometimes that is enough, but if you see foul dishcharge, or the patient smells, a good, sterile clean is in order.Couldn't the patient smell himself?

Oz = shorthand for AUSTRALIA. I wonder how Dorothy & Toto are doing BTW, he he he!

Quote from whitey_fiskWell, this patient has already had a UTI(probably from poor technique). He was previously straight cathed q 6 hr, but then decision was made to place indwelling. For clarification, CNAs may straight cath, but do not place indwellings.

When people straight cath themselves they usually do it over the toilet, and it is a clean, not sterile, procedure. This can be difficult for someone else to do, so if they are hospitalized, a foley is sometimes placed.But peri/cath care is imperative, either way.

Quote from JDBinCAHeh I am sad to say that I immediately assumed that people were too lazy to cath 4x a day. It's an unfair assumption but... yeah.

Ok, please don't get mad at me for saying this, but my wife and I had a conversation before work today about dz that cause mental status changes = nursing homes vs. home care.I told her I AM FINE W/ HAVING TO BE PUT IN A NSG HOME, I AM A BIG GUY, BUT PLEASE STOP BY EVERY ONCE IN WHILE AND MAKE SURE MY BUTT IS CLEANED WELL!!!!!!!!!!

Quote from BostonTerrierLoverRNOk, please don't get mad at me for saying this, but my wife and I had a conversation before work today about dz that cause mental status changes = nursing homes vs. home care.I told her I AM FINE W/ HAVING TO BE PUT IN A NSG HOME, I AM A BIG GUY, BUT PLEASE STOP BY EVERY ONCE IN WHILE AND MAKE SURE MY BUTT IS CLEANED WELL!!!!!!!!!!

Hmmm, not saying that peri care doesn't get missed. (I was a CNA and sometimes you just didn't have time to do it well, do it at all. And yes, there are some lazy aides.)However, just because a patient said it wasn't being done, I wouldn't immediately believe it's not being done.