BARD PureWick Female External Catheter by BD Becton Dickinson

PureWick Female External Catheter Overview

The PureWick Female External Catheter is an alternative to prolonged Foley catheter use for female patients with incontinence. It features a simple, painless, non-invasive design that helps alleviate stress from both patients and caregivers. Having an alternative to Foley catheters also greatly reduces catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). CAUTIs are common complications caused by Foley catheters due to the disruption of the normal bodily flushing of the urethra that removes bacteria from a healthy urinary system. Many UTIs can be attributed to urinary catheters — mitigating CAUTIs reduces the costs associated with treating them, increases patient comfort, and decreases the length of hospital stays.

The PureWick also helps prevent skin injury or irritation related to incontinence or incontinence pads, such as sacral sores and moisture lesions, by wicking urine away from the body. Using the PureWick reduces overall hospital plastic and paper waste by negating the need for Foley catheters, catheter bags, the pulp urinal, and washbowls. In a 500-bed hospital, assuming a patient uses a PureWick Catheter for an average of three days, this would result in a 43,956-pound reduction of clinical waste per year.

Features and Benefits

• Non-Invasive Design
• Saves Time and Money for Patients and Care Providers
• Easy to Manage
• Decrease Risk of CAUTIs
• Reduces Paper and Plastic Clinical Waste

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should the PureWick be replaced?
Replace the PureWick every 8-12 hours or if it is soiled with feces or blood.

Can patients using the PureWick Catheter be turned?
When turning a patient, remove the device, then put it back in place once the patient has been repositioned.

Can patients using the PureWick Female Catheter be moved?
Remove the PureWick before moving the patient, then replace the product once the patient is ready.

Can the PureWick External Female Catheter be used overnight?
Absolutely — the PureWick was designed with comfort in mind, encouraging a night of restful sleep. Not having to clean patients or assist them to the bathroom at night also decreases the risk of slips and falls and reduces caregiver fatigue.

How Does the PureWick Catheter Work?

The PureWick Female Catheter works by creating a low-pressure system that wicks urine away from the body. As the patient urinates, the soft material in the device wicks urine down to the base. Continuous low-pressure suction then removes the urine, which is collected in a suction canister. Once the canister is full, it is simply emptied by a caregiver and replaced for continued use. The catheter end of the device is the only part that needs to be replaced with repeated use.

How to Apply PureWick

1. Perform perineal care and assess patient skin integrity


2. Separate the legs, gluteus muscles, and labia


3. With the soft gauze side of the device facing the patient, align the distal end at the gluteal cleft. Gently tuck the soft gauze side between the separated gluteus and labia


4. Slowly place legs back together


5. To remove the PureWick Female External Catheter, fully separate the legs, gluteus, and labia and gently pull the device directly outward

Specifications

• Manufacturer: Bard Medical
• Product Number: PWF030
• Size: One Size Fits Most
• Sterility: Non-Sterile
• Latex-Free: No
• Application: External Catheter

Manuals and Documents

•     PureWick Female Catheter Poster contains information about the PureWick Female External Catheter
•     PureWick Directions for Use step-by-step directions for PureWick Catheter use
•     PureWick Catheter Infographic contains sustainability information about the PureWick Female External Catheter

Product Videos

PureWick User Instructions (3:38 minutes)