Implementing female external catheters in practice and educating students on their use

Urethral catheterisation is an invasive procedure that carries a high risk of complications, notably catheter-associated urinary tract infections. Until recently, there were few alternatives to indwelling urinary catheters other than continence pads, but recent advances have included the development of female external catheters (FECs). FECs are external devices placed between the labial folds that collect urine and divert it away from the body using suction. This article provides an overview of the use of FECs for managing urinary incontinence in people with female anatomy. Additionally, it describes how education on FEC use was introduced in the undergraduate nursing curriculum at one university in England.