COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the Supporting Individuals with Catheter Care Needs course. This program is designed to equip you with the essential knowledge and skills to provide safe, effective, and compassionate catheter care.

Catheterisation plays a critical role in managing urinary health for individuals with specific medical needs. This course explores the purpose and significance of catheter care in the disability support context, focusing on promoting participant health, comfort, and dignity.

A fundamental understanding of the urinary system is essential for effective catheter care. This section will review the anatomy and physiology of the urinary system, the processes of urine formation and excretion, and the impact of catheterisation on normal urinary functions. With this foundation, support workers can better understand the care required to maintain urinary health and participant well-being.

Different catheter types serve various medical purposes. You will learn about indwelling catheters, such as Foley and suprapubic catheters, intermittent catheters, and external devices like condom catheters. Understanding their functions and applications ensures the appropriate use and management of these devices for each participant.

Catheterisation is indicated for a range of acute and chronic conditions. This section will cover common scenarios requiring catheter use, including post-surgical care, palliative care, and the management of urinary retention and incontinence. Recognising these indications helps ensure timely and appropriate care.

Infection control is a top priority in catheter care. You will explore strategies to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), including proper hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and sterile techniques during insertion and maintenance. These practices are critical for safeguarding participant health.

Managing catheter drainage systems is a key aspect of care. This section will provide step-by-step guidance on safely draining catheter bags, replacing them without introducing infections, and managing night drainage systems to ensure participant comfort and hygiene.

Skin care is vital for preventing complications around the catheter site. You will learn how to recognise and address skin irritation, pressure ulcers, and breakdown, and how to use skin barriers and protective products to maintain healthy skin.

Observation skills are essential for detecting issues early. This section will teach you how to monitor urine colour, odour, and volume, identify blockages or leakage, and recognise signs of infection or discomfort, enabling timely interventions.

Legal and ethical considerations are integral to catheter care. You will gain an understanding of your duty of care, the importance of obtaining consent, and maintaining confidentiality. Accurate documentation and reporting will also be emphasised to ensure accountability and compliance.

The emotional and psychological impact of catheter use can be significant for participants. You will explore strategies to address body image and self-esteem concerns, support participants adjusting to long-term catheter use, and provide reassurance to families and caregivers.

Safe handling and storage of catheter supplies are essential for maintaining sterility and availability. This section will guide you in storing catheter equipment properly, disposing of used supplies safely, and managing supplies to ensure readiness during emergencies.

Monitoring and documenting catheter care activities are key to effective support. You will learn best practices for accurate record-keeping, reporting changes in participant comfort or urinary output, and using documentation to inform care plan adjustments.

Cultural sensitivity plays a crucial role in equitable care. This section will explore how to respect cultural and religious views on catheterisation, adapt care practices to align with participant beliefs, and foster trust through open communication.

Participants with complex needs require tailored approaches to catheter care. You will learn strategies for supporting individuals with mobility challenges or cognitive impairments, and how to coordinate multidisciplinary support for participants with multiple medical conditions.

Emergency preparedness ensures prompt responses to urgent issues. This section will teach you how to recognise and respond to catheter blockages, manage accidental dislodgement, and communicate effectively with emergency services to protect participant safety.

Nutrition and hydration are vital for urinary health and catheter function. You will explore the role of fluids in preventing infections and blockages, the impact of diet on urinary health, and strategies for educating participants about maintaining proper hydration.

Training participants in self-catheterisation promotes independence. You will learn how to teach safe self-catheterisation techniques, provide ongoing monitoring and guidance, and support participants in achieving greater autonomy while ensuring their safety.

Finally, evaluating and updating care plans ensures that support remains relevant and effective. This section will guide you in reviewing participant progress, incorporating their feedback, and collaborating with healthcare teams to achieve the best outcomes.

By the end of this course, you will have the knowledge and confidence to provide high-quality catheter care, enhancing the health, comfort, and dignity of the individuals you support while adhering to professional standards and best practices.

Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:

1. Introduction to Catheter Care in Disability Support

• Definition and Purpose of Catheter Care
• Common Conditions Requiring Catheter Use

2. Anatomy and Physiology Basics

• Structure and Function of the Urinary System
• Understanding Urine Formation and Excretion
• Impact of Catheterisation on Normal Urinary Functions

3. Catheter Types and Functions

• Indwelling Catheters: Foley and Suprapubic
• Intermittent Catheters and Their Use
• External Catheters

4. Indications for Urinary Catheters

• Acute and Chronic Conditions Requiring Catheterisation
• Post-Surgical and Palliative Care Scenarios
• Urinary Retention and Incontinence Management

5. Importance of Infection Control

• Preventing Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTIs)
• Proper Hand Hygiene and Use of PPE
• Sterile Techniques for Insertion and Maintenance

6. Catheter Bag Drainage and Changes

• Steps for Safely Draining Catheter Bags
• Replacing Catheter Bags Without Introducing Infections
• Managing Night Drainage Systems

7. Skin Care

• Preventing Skin Irritation Around the Catheter Site
• Recognising and Addressing Pressure Ulcers or Breakdown
• Using Skin Barriers and Protective Products

8. Observations to Act On

• Monitoring Urine Colour, Odour, and Volume
• Identifying Signs of Blockages or Leakage
• Recognising Symptoms of Infection or Discomfort

9. Legal Considerations

• Adhering to Duty of Care and Consent Requirements
• Maintaining Confidentiality in Catheter Care
• Documentation and Reporting Standards

10. Emotional and Psychological Impact of Catheter Use

• Addressing Body Image and Self-Esteem Issues
• Supporting Participants Adjusting to Long-Term Catheter Use
• Providing Emotional Support to Families and Caregivers

11. Safe Handling and Storage of Catheter Supplies

• Proper Storage of Catheter Equipment to Maintain Sterility
• Safe Disposal of Used Supplies and Waste Materials
• Managing Supplies to Ensure Availability During Emergencies

12. Monitoring and Documenting Catheter Care Activities

• Accurate Record-Keeping of Care Provided
• Reporting Changes in Urinary Output and Participant Comfort
• Using Documentation to Inform Care Plan Adjustments

13. Cultural Sensitivity in Catheter Care

• Understanding Cultural and Religious Views on Catheterisation
• Adapting Care Practices to Respect Participant Beliefs
• Building Trust Through Open and Respectful Communication

14. Supporting Participants with Complex Needs

• Catheter Care for Individuals with Mobility Challenges
• Managing Catheters for Participants with Cognitive Impairments
• Coordinating Multidisciplinary Support for Complex Cases

15. Emergency Preparedness in Catheter Care

• Recognising and Responding to Catheter Blockages
• Managing Accidental Dislodgement of Catheters
• Communicating Effectively with Emergency Services

16. Nutrition and Hydration for Optimal Urinary Health

• Role of Fluids in Preventing Infections and Blockages
• Educating Participants on a Balanced Diet for Urinary Health
• Recognising the Impact of Dehydration on Catheter Function

17. Training and Support for Self-Catheterisation

• Teaching Participants Safe Self-Catheterisation Techniques
• Providing Ongoing Monitoring and Guidance for Self-Management
• Promoting Independence While Ensuring Safety

18. Evaluating and Updating Care Plans

• Reviewing Participant Progress and Adjusting Care Plans
• Incorporating Participant Feedback into Care Planning
• Collaborating with Healthcare Teams for Best Outcomes

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.

COURSE DELIVERY:

Purchase and download course content.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.