Clean intermittent self-catheterisation: home training effectiveness and catheter choices

Clean intermittent self-catheterisation (CISC) or intermittent self-catheterisation (ISC) can be used as treatment for bladder and bowl problems. These problems may be caused by disorders or injuries to the nervous system, non-neurogenic bladder dysfunction, or intravesical obstruction leading to incomplete bladder emptying. Patients need to be comfortable and relaxed to understand why and how to use CISC or ISC. To ensure compliance and competency with CISC, the patient should be given choice when selecting the intermittent catheter for use. It is important to assess the patient holistically and offer them a range of catheters to try and select the one that is most appropriate for their needs. Taking the patient's environment, dexterity and physical ability into account when selecting catheters is equally significant. In 2024, the Isle of Wight Bladder & Bowel service collated qualitative data from patients and professionals that showed excellent outcomes for patients and received positive commentary from the consultant urologist at the local NHS trust. This article emphasises and demonstrates how the Isle of Wight Bladder & Bowel service pathway helped to teach CISC at home. The pathway offers a wide range of catheters, is patient focused, and is both clinically and cost effective.