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My bladder, my life

Bladder management

  • Bladder types
  • Starting with catheters
  • Problems
  • Life hacks
  • Inside the bladder
  • Equipment
Starting with catheters
  • Intermittent catheter
    • Other options for managing your bladder
      • Indwelling catheter
      • Suprapubic catheter
      • Reflex emptying
      • Straining or expressing

      Suprapubic catheter

      A suprapubic catheter (SPC) is also an indwelling catheter, but instead of being inserted into the urethra, it is passed through the abdomen directly into the bladder. It is held in place by a water-filled balloon.

      side view of a suprapubic catheter on a male
      side view of a suprapubic catheter on a male
      side view of a suprapubic catheter on a female
      side view of a suprapubic catheter on a female

      An SPC is surgically inserted by a urologist. Once the tract (the place where the catheter passes through the skin) is properly formed, the catheter may be changed by anyone who is trained to do so.

      Complications that may occur

      An SPC is an open path for bacteria to enter your bladder so make sure your hands are clean when touching the catheter or drainage bag.

      It’s important to not disconnect the catheter bag from the catheter until it’s due to be changed. This connection helps to minimise organisms from entering the bladder via the catheter.

      Remember to check your urine to look for signs of bleeding or other changes.

      It’s also important for you to pay attention to the insertion site for signs of bleeding, localised infection, or skin breakdown.

      Keep an eye out for these issues:

      • UTI
      • Leaking
      • Stones.

      Preventing UTIs with a suprapubic catheter

      Drink plenty of water.

      Only disconnect the catheter bag when it’s due to be changed.

      You should also keep the bag below the level of your bladder at all times to make sure that the urine doesn’t flow back up into your bladder. The back flow of urine can carry bacteria into your bladder which might cause an infection.

      Indwelling catheter
      Reflex emptying

      Before Footer

      Quick links

      • Bladder types
      • Starting with catheters
      • Problems
      • Life hacks
      • Inside the bladder
      • Equipment

      About this resource

      This web resource is part of a research project to improve bladder management at the Austin, by increasing the use of intermittent catheterisation.

      The research project is funded by TAC.

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      This research project is brought to you by

      Austin Health
      TAC
      ISCRR
      WorkSafe

      Contacts

      Austin Health
      03 9496 5000
      Victorian Spinal Cord Service
      03 9496 5220
      Spinal Urology Nurse
      03 9496 5904
      spinalurologynurse@austin.org.au
      VSCS outpatient Nurse
      03 9496 5176
      vscsoutpatients@austin.org.au

      Disclaimer

      This information has been developed for Austin Health use and has been specifically designed for Austin Health. This information is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your doctor or healthcare professionals. The authors have made a considerable effort to ensure the information is accurate, up to date and easy to understand. Austin Health accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies, information perceived as misleading, or the success of any treatment regimen detailed on this website. Written information should only be used in conjunction with advice from the health professional who is looking after you.

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