Clean Intermittent Self‐catheterisation in 172 Adults

Summary— We report the results of clean intermittent self‐catheterisation (CISC) in 172 adults (68 male, 104 female). Seven patients were unable or unwilling to master the technique and 145 still remain on CISC, representing a total experience of 6981 patient‐months. Ten patients required readmission: 5 for retraining and 5 for complications (average hospital stay 2.4 days); 123/163 patients catheterised themselves every 3 to 4 h and 92 were continent on CISC; of the 107 patients incontinent prior to starting CISC, 101 were improved; 70 patients had no infections whilst on CISC, the mean infection rate being 1 per 14 patient‐months; 29% of patients experienced persistent urethral bleeding; 156/163 patients were satisfied or very satisfied with CISC and 140 found the technique easy or very easy; 76 patients had never visited their GP for a urinary problem whilst using ClSC and the mean rate was 1 visit per 8 patient‐months. ClSC is an easily learnt technique that is safe and acceptable to patients, and one which places few extra burdens on hospital or community resources.