As of 2020, Canadian urologists and nurses recommend single use intermittent catheters, ideally those that are hydrophilic or pre-lubricated.1,2 In fact, Canadian nurses no longer support the re-use of intermittent catheters at all.1
Intermittent catheterization can add up
Intermittent catheterization (IC) can add up - catheterizing 6 times every day equals 2,190 catheterizations a year. We know this can add up financially too; balancing the financial burden and frequency of catheterization leads many Canadians to re-use single-use catheters. Re-using catheters may lead to a change of physical properties of the catheter material and there is a risk of introducing unnecessary bacteria contamination, which may result in urinary tract infections (UTIs).3,4 Re-using catheters can also be inconvenient and cumbersome.
You may already be covered
Product reimbursement in Canada can be complex and overwhelming. You may not be aware that your private insurance or provincial support covers catheters or that you may even qualify for a hydrophilic or compact solution. Many benefit plans offer better catheter coverage than you may think. Often, all you need is a prescription from your doctor. The Coloplast Letter of Recommendation can provide additional support for your claim, by giving providers a rationale as to why you need a specific catheter. The Coloplast Letter of Recommendation has successfully helped Canadian catheter users access reimbursement for their intermittent catheters. Learn more about catheter coverage.
Contact the Coloplast Care team for questions about your insurance coverage at casupport@coloplast.com or call us at 1-866-293-6349
1. Clean Intermittent Urethral Catheterization in Adults – Canadian Best Practice Recommendations for Nurses. Developed by Nurses Specialized in Wound, stomy and Continence Canada, Canadian Nurse Continence Advisors, Urology Nurses of Canada, and Infection Prevention and Control.1st Ed. 2020.
2. Can Urol Assoc J 2020;14(7):E281-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.6697
3. Bogaert GA, Goeman L, de Ridder D, Wevers M, Ivens J, Schuermans A. The physical and antimicrobial effects of microwave heating and alcohol immersion on catheters that are reused forclean intermittent catheerisartion. Eur Urol. 2004;46(5):641-6
4. Chan JL, Cooney TE, Schober JM. Adequacy of sanitization and storage of catheters for intermittent use after washing and microwave sterilization. J Urol. 2009;182(4 Suppl):2085-9
