Irrigation syringes are frequently used in the healthcare industry to deliver oral medication, as well as for bladder and ostomy irrigation. Each type of syringe has certain features that are beneficial when used for its intended purpose. Bulb and piston syringes are used to inflate foley catheter balloons and irrigate the bladder to prevent catheter blockages. They are also known as catheter tip syringes because of their long, tapered tips that are designed for flushing fluid through tubing. Irrigation trays often include bulb irrigation syringes because they have more precise control compared to the plastic plunger style. Luer lock syringes have a threaded tip that twists and locks into place over the needle to create a leak-free seal and secure connection.
Sterile saline is used with a syringe to flush out blockages in the bladder through a three-way or foley catheter in a process called bladder irrigation, or a bladder washout. Performing a bladder irrigation can also be helpful if your catheter is not draining properly or you are noticing more sediment in your urine, as this buildup can lead to blockages and force you to change your catheter more frequently than desired. A sterile saline solution with .9% sodium chloride is typically recommended for irrigation to prevent complications that come with using water.
In addition to a bulb or piston syringe, Foley catheter irrigation trays include all of the supplies needed to safely irrigate your bladder. As catheter blockages are a common complication for long term catheter users, foley irrigation can help prevent recurrent blockages caused by clot retention and encrustation. Each tray includes a 500cc graduated plastic cylinder for measuring saline, an alcohol prep pad for sterilizing skin, and a waterproof drape for preventing contact with unsterilized surfaces.
Protective disposable gloves should always be used when handling an irrigation tray to avoid developing a urinary tract infection or other complication. Individually packaged sterile gloves are ideal for this situation since they have an even lower risk of transferring bacteria and germs that can cause UTIs. Caregivers and other healthcare personnel may want to choose latex-free medical gloves in any situation where they are uncertain whether a patient has a latex allergy.