- Proper Catheter Inflation:
- Ensure that the Bard Foley catheter balloon is positioned well within the patients bladder. Slowly, with a gentle, constant force, inflate the Bard Foley catheter balloon with the volume prescribed on the package. Note that the 30cc balloon must be inflated with 35cc of sterile water. Improperly inflated Bard Foley catheter balloons may cause drainage and deflation difficulties. Using fluid other than sterile water may cause the balloon not to empty properly, especially after long dwell times. - Catheter Deflation:
- Select a luer slip syringe.
- Slide the plunger of the syringe up and down the barrel of the syringe several times to “loosen it up.”
- Compress the plunger all the way and then pull back the plunger slightly so that it does not adhere to the front of the syringe barrel.
- Gently insert the syringe in the catheter valve.
- Do not use more force than is required to make the syringe “stick” in the valve.
- Allow the pressure within the balloon to force the plunger back and fill the syringe with water.
- If you notice slow or no deflation, re-seat the syringe gently. Once again, allow the balloon to deflate slowly on its own.
- If the balloon does not deflate, reposition the patient.
- Ensure that the catheter is not in traction, the proximal end of the catheter is not compressed within the bladder neck.
- Ensure that urine flows freely.
- Attempt to deflate the balloon by using the pressure in the balloon to force water into the syringe as described above.
- If the balloon stills fails to deflate, apply very gentle slow aspiration. Aspiration that is too rapid, or too forceful, may cause the inflation lumen within the Foley catheter to collapse.
- If permitted by hospital protocol, the valve arm may be severed.
- If this fails, contact an adequately trained professional for assistance, as directed by hospital protocol.
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