Though not always necessary for home irrigation, you can put on disposable latex gloves for extra safety.
You’ll need to use a 60cc catheter-tipped syringe for this. It may also be called a Toomey syringe. [2] X Expert Source Robert Dhir, MDBoard Certified Urologist & Urological Surgeon Expert Interview. 12 October 2020. Catheter tip syringes can be purchased at most medical supply stores, drug stores, and supermarkets. They are typically sold in multi-syringe bundles for less than $1 per individual unit.
Look for saline solutions at most medical supply and drug stores. They typically cost between $4 and $9 per bottle. If you can’t afford saline solution, use an unopened bottle of water instead. You can also boil tap water, then use it after it’s cooled. [4] X Expert Source Robert Dhir, MDBoard Certified Urologist & Urological Surgeon Expert Interview. 12 October 2020. Do not use homemade saline solutions since they will increase your chances of infection. While handling the bottle of saline solution, you should only touch the outside of the container. Do not get your fingers on the top or inside of the bottle.
If necessary, pull the plunger back again to replace any lost saline.
If you are wearing latex gloves, replace them with a fresh pair.
Make sure the basin is lower than the end of the catheter and the person’s abdomen.
Try to suction out any sediment or clots as you do this. [9] X Expert Source Robert Dhir, MDBoard Certified Urologist & Urological Surgeon Expert Interview. 12 October 2020. Have the person wearing the catheter to sit in an upright position so more urine comes out. Dispose of urine in a toilet or other clean, sterile waste container.
To keep it sterile, remember to avoid touching the end of the syringe.
If you encounter resistance, stop and call a doctor for help, as they may need to change the catheter or use a different technique to irrigate it.
