Intermittent catheterization is the drawing out of urine from the bladder by catheterization at certain intervals (usually 4-6 hours) (either aseptic or clean catheterization) What is the need for intermittent catheterization? Intermittent catheterization is a major form of bladder function training for patients with neurogenic bladder. By intermittently inserting a catheter to empty the bladder, the bladder expands and contracts regularly as it would in a normal state. This type of voiding allows for the best bladder training while avoiding the many complications associated with long-term indwelling urinary catheters and cystostomies, and is currently a highly recommended method for patients with neurogenic bladder both domestically and internationally. What is the difference between intermittent catheterization and indwelling catheterization? Intermittent catheterization does not require a long-term catheter in the patient’s body, which greatly reduces the occurrence of complications such as urinary tract infections, stones, polyps, and ulcers, etc. Moreover, there is no urinary catheter in the patient’s body during two catheterizations, which facilitates the patient’s movement or other treatments, and intermittent catheterization can better protect the kidneys from damage. Intermittent catheterization has certain comorbidities, such as urethral injury and urinary tract infection, but it is safer and more reliable than indwelling urinary catheters and cystostomy. Can intermittent catheterization cause more infections? Is it harmful to the body? Numerous studies and clinical data have shown that intermittent catheterization has a much lower incidence of urinary tract infections than indwelling urinary catheters and cystostomies, and intermittent catheterization does not lead to more infections! Intermittent catheterization is a safe, simple, practical and effective method of bladder emptying as long as the indications and contraindications for intermittent catheterization are strictly followed and the standardized catheterization techniques and operation points are mastered. Key points of intermittent catheterization: 1.Prepare catheterization supplies (disposable catheterization kit, urine pad, etc.) 2.Patients lie on their backs, legs flexed and separated, reasonably exposed, urine pad under the buttocks, pay attention to warmth 3.Carefully disinfect (clean catheterization only requires cleaning) the perineal skin and urethral orifice. 4.Check the expiration date of the catheterization package, whether there is any damage, open the package, the operator wash hands and wear sterile gloves (clean catheterization operator clean hands). 5.Select the appropriate size catheter and fully lubricate the catheter. 6.Expose the urethral orifice with one hand and gently insert the catheter from the urethral orifice, insert the catheter 4-6cm into the urethra in women and then 1-2cm after seeing urine, fix the catheter and drain the urine. In male patients, the urethral catheter is inserted into the urethra 20-22 cm, and then 1-2 cm after seeing urine, fix the urethral catheter and drain urine. 7.Observe the urine flow and urine color, slowly remove the urethra after the urine flow stops with light pressure on the small abdomen, clip the urethra before it comes out of the urethra and remove the urethra all together. 8.Wash hands and record urine volume 9.Tidy up the catheterization supplies and finish catheterization.