Curan Lady Patient Booklet

Comfort and convenience mean different things to different people

The advantage of choice with Curan intermittent catheters

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Table of contents Contents

Page

Using this guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 The urinary system. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Intermittent self-catheterisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Curan Lady. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Curan Lady instructions for use. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7–10 Curan Advantage Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Curan Advantage Female instructions for use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12–15 Frequently asked questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16–18 Ordering information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Curan personal plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Urine output record. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Useful contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 SecuriCare home delivery service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

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Using this guide This booklet provides step-by-step guidance to help you perform intermittent self-catheterisation (ISC) successfully, ease any concerns you may have and assist you with understanding the procedure as quickly as possible.

The booklet is a guide and should be used alongside the advice and information given to you by your healthcare professional.

With guidance from your healthcare professional, you will have chosen one of our catheters to commence ISC. Alongside this booklet you will have samples of either Curan Lady or Curan Advantage to take away with you. This booklet provides the details and further instructions for both catheters, please refer to the section relevant to the Curan catheter you have been given. We hope that after reading the booklet you will feel confident about performing ISC and ready to continue everyday life.

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The urinary system The urinary system is made up of different parts. Waste products from the body are filtered within the kidneys, producing urine which travels to the bladder down tubes called ureters. Urine is stored within the bladder until it is ready to be passed down a tube called the urethra which has a small opening in front of your vagina.

When the bladder is full, for the majority of people a message is sent to the brain which creates a sensation in the bladder to pass urine via the urethra. The bladder will normally empty completely, however some people may not be able to fully empty their bladder and the residual pool of urine left behind can lead to infection and potential complications.

A woman’s urethra is straight and about 3–4cm long.

Uterus Bladder

Spine

Urethra

Rectum Anus Vagina

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Intermittent self-catheterisation ISC is a method by which you can empty your bladder with the use of a catheter. This may be necessary if you are unable to empty your bladder fully or at all. A catheter is a hollow tube with special holes called eyelets.

When the catheter is inserted and the eyelets enter the bladder, they allow the urine to drain into the catheter and out of the body.

ISC is a procedure you can carry out at home, work or when travelling.

It will fit in to your current lifestyle and enable you to continue with the daily activities you currently enjoy.

It is normal for some people to find ISC difficult to begin with and the initial time it takes to learn how to perform the process varies from person to person.

The Curan range offers a variety of ISC catheters and finding the right one is a personal choice with advice from your healthcare professional. Curan Lady provides a mess-free gel coating, in a compact length designed to be more discreet and easy to carry when out and about. Curan Advantage offers a hydrophilic-coated catheter, which is activated by bursting the integrated sterile water sachet within the packaging. Curan Advantage is available in a standard female length and in a longer unisex version. Your choice of catheter will depend on your lifestyle and what works best for you.

Clitoris Opening for urine (urethra) Labia Vaginal orifice

Anus (back passage)

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Curan Lady

Gel compartment provides smooth coating with no mess

Smoooth, polished eyelets

Easy grip and twist lid Single flow urine outlet

Universal connection to a urine collection bag (if required)

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Step 1 Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water and dry them. Make yourself comfortable. If there is a possibility you might be able to urinate, always try before you use a catheter.

Step 2 Wash around the opening of the urethra using an alcohol-free wet wipe or mild soap and water. Wash from front to back to reduce the risk of infection.

Step 3 Break the transparent label on the catheter by twisting the easy-grip lid in the opposite direction to the base as indicated by the arrows. If required, attach a urine bag to the drainage end of Curan Lady using the universal connector.

Step 4 Take hold of the catheter funnel end and pull the catheter from tube. Curan Lady is lubricated with a gel coating so there are no concerns about water spillage.

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Curan Lady

How to use Curan Lady

Step 5 Find a position where you are most comfortable and can locate the urethra. Here are some of the positions that you may find helpful to perform ISC. Lying propped up on the bed.

Sitting over the toilet.

Sitting in a wheelchair.

If you are doing ISC in a wheelchair, or lying propped up on the bed, it might be useful to attach a urine drainage bag to the catheter or have an appropriate receptacle to hand to collect urine.

Step 6 Spread the labia apart gently with the index finger and middle finger of one hand. You may need to pull slightly upwards to expose the urethra.

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Step 8 When the flow stops, ease out the catheter slowly to ensure that urine is no longer draining. If urine flow starts again, stop withdrawing the catheter. The bladder needs to be fully emptied to reduce the risk of infection.

Step 9 Dispose of the catheter and the outer packaging in a waste bin. Do NOT flush it down the toilet. Wash your hands again with soap and water. If there is no immediate method of disposal available Curan Lady can be replaced into the tube and fully resealed to carry with you until a bin is located. Curan Lady is a single use catheter and should not be reused.

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Curan Lady

Step 7 With your other hand gently insert the catheter into your urethra as you have been shown, until it reaches the bladder and urine starts to flow.

Curan reviews: Curan Lady Discreet, hygienic, comfortable to use. Easy to pack when on holiday.

Have been using these since 2015 and never had any issues with them.

Very discreet. Easy to use and small enough to dispose of without embarrassment.

I have tried other products but in my opinion this product is the easiest I’ve used. It’s always well lubricated with the gel, which means you don’t get any excess mess or leakage that you may get with other products.

I’ve found them to be incredibly easy to use and probably as importantly they are discreet enough that nobody would realise what they are. They look like a regular pen and small enough to fit into your handbag/make up bag. Come well packaged - again discreet and compact. Easy to store and access. Of the 6 I trialled, the Curan Lady is a superior product.

First of all, this catheter is so discreet. It’s small enough to fit in your handbag and looks just like a slightly chunky pen. I have trouble with my grip and fine motor control, but I can open the twist off cap really easily. Brilliant to be able to do it without asking someone! The catheter is easy and smooth to use, use doesn’t involve any preparation or waiting which is brilliant. It doesn’t need any special disposal, just slotting back together again. I think this is a great portable, discreet, easy to use product.

To leave a review please visit the relevant product page on our website: www.clinimed.co.uk 10

Curan Advantage

Curan Advantage Female

Adhesive tab at back – to hang the package vertically during activation of the coating

Resealable opening tab

Water sachet

Single flow urine outlet

Universal connection to a urine collection bag (if required)

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Comfort Coat® – smooth hydrophilic catheter coating

Smooth, polished eyelets

How to use Curan Advantage Female Step 1 Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water and dry them. Make yourself comfortable. If there is a possibility you might be able to urinate, always try before you use a catheter.

Step 2 Wash around the opening of the urethra using an alcohol-free wet wipe or mild soap and water. Wash from front to back to reduce the risk of infection.

Step 3 Before opening the packaging, release the sterile water by lightly pinching or squeezing the integrated sachet until it bursts.

Step 4 Wait approximately 25 seconds for the sterile water to activate the hydrophilic coating. You can use the adhesive tab at the back to hang the packaging on a vertical surface whilst you prepare for catheterisation.

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Step 6 Find a position where you are most comfortable and can locate the urethra. Here are some of the positions that you may find helpful to perform ISC. Lying propped up on the bed.

Sitting over the toilet.

Sitting in a wheelchair.

If you are doing ISC in a wheelchair, or lying propped up on the bed, it might be useful to attach a urine drainage bag to the catheter or have an appropriate receptacle to hand to collect urine.

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Curan Advantage

Step 5 When you are ready to catheterise open the tab at the front of the packaging by pulling upwards then take hold of the catheter funnel end and pull it from the packaging. At this stage, if required, attach a urine bag to the drainage end of Curan Advantage using the universal connector. If using the longer unisex catheter you can use the Blue Grip® to hold the catheter and help guide insertion, without directly touching the catheter itself.

Step 7 Spread the labia apart gently with the index finger and middle finger of one hand. You may need to pull slightly upwards to expose the urethra.

Step 8 With your other hand gently insert the catheter into your urethra as you have been shown until it reaches the bladder and urine starts to flow.

Step 9 When the flow stops, ease out the catheter slowly to ensure that urine is no longer draining. If urine flow starts again, stop withdrawing the catheter. The bladder needs to be fully emptied to reduce the risk of infection.

Step 10 Dispose of the catheter and the outer packaging in a waste bin. Do NOT flush it down the toilet. Wash your hands again with soap and water. If there is no immediate method of disposal available, Curan Advantage can be replaced in the packaging and resealed using the adhesive tab to carry with you until a bin is located. Curan Advantage is a single use catheter and should not be reused.

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Curan Advantage is fantastic. Not only am I using it with new patients, but I have swapped existing patients (who find insertion painful) onto Curan Advantage – the lubricant is excellent!

Urology Nurse Specialist

I found these to help, they are comfy to use as I found other brands hurt or felt scratchy.

I would be lost without them.

Curan Advantage user

To leave a review please visit the relevant product page on our website: www.clinimed.co.uk

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Curan Advantage

Curan reviews: Curan Advantage

Frequently asked questions How often should I catheterise?

This depends on the individual, the reason for catheterisation, how much fluid you drink and whether you have been prescribed additional medication.

Your healthcare professional will advise you on how many times a day you need to catheterise.

Does ISC hurt?

It may feel like a strange sensation at first, but ISC should not be painful.

For some people the urethra is sensitive when first learning and if this does not settle with time then ask for advice. It is normal for some people to find ISC difficult to begin with but after a very short time and with a little practice you will find it very straightforward.

Will I always have to catheterise from now on?

This will depend on the reason for catheterisation. Sometimes ISC is a temporary measure until your bladder regains its normal function.

You should report any changes in the amount of urine you are passing to your healthcare professional who will review the need for continuing ISC or altering the frequency.

What should I do if I can’t insert the catheter?

If you have tried and failed, do your best not to worry or panic as this is a fairly common problem and wait for around 20 minutes before trying again.

Try to relax, as much as you can, as this is key to successful insertion.

Do not try to force the catheter in as this can damage your urethra.

If you still can’t manage to insert the catheter, then contact your healthcare professional or the out of hours number you have been given.

What if the catheter goes into my vagina by mistake?

Simply remove the catheter and dispose of it, then start again with a new catheter.

What should I do if I am having my period?

Good hygiene during menstruation is always important. Every time you catheterise yourself, you should wash your genital area with a mild soap, remembering to rinse well, and you should change your tampon or sanitary pad often.

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What if there is no urine coming out of the catheter?

If there is no urine draining, remove the catheter and try a new one.

Make sure you are putting the catheter in the right place. If there is still no drainage and you feel your bladder is still full, then contact your healthcare professional.

What should I do if I can’t remove the catheter?

Try not to panic and stay calm, this can happen if you are tense and your muscles go into spasm. Relax for 5-10 minutes to allow the muscles to loosen up. Coughing several times as you begin to remove the catheter can also help. If none of these suggestions work then you should seek medical advice.

How much should I drink?

You should drink around 1.5 litres or 2-3 pints of fluid each day.

What if I see blood?

Don’t worry. It is very common to see a few drops of blood around the tip of the catheter when you have finished or some pinkish discolouration of your urine after catheterisation. However, if bleeding is continuous or heavy then seek medical advice.

Are there any symptoms I should look out for?

Symptoms such as fever, uncontrollable shivering, blood in urine, cloudy urine, burning sensation on catheterisation, unpleasant smell from urine, tummy or lower back pain, may indicate an infection.

You may not experience all of the symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) but it is important that if you suspect that you have a UTI, you contact your GP. What should I do if I forget to catheterise?

You must catheterise as soon as you remember.

Then continue as normal at the regular intervals you have been advised.

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What happens if I do not catheterise as regularly as I was told to?

Do not allow your bladder to become too full as it may cause tenderness and bloating around the lower stomach, headache, feeling hot and sweaty.

Occasionally forgetting to catheterise will not matter but if this happens too often it can cause urinary tract infection (UTI) and urinary leakage. Should the pressure in your bladder become too high there may be a risk of urine backflow to your kidneys, which could lead to complications.

What happens when I travel abroad?

Pack as many Curan catheters as you will need for the duration of your holiday or business trip. To avoid any possible problems with customs ask your healthcare professional for a written statement explaining that the catheters are necessary for medical reasons and are for your own use or call the CliniMed® Careline on 0800 036 0100 and request a travel certificate.

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Ordering information Your healthcare professional will provide you with your first supply of Curan catheters and will tell you how to obtain a prescription from your GP for further supplies.

Curan Lady Charriere size Colour code Order code 8 Ch 10 Ch 12 Ch 14 Ch

• • • •

PIP code

CL8

395-1472

CL10

376-6078

CL12

376-6086

CL14

376-6060

box of 30

Curan Advantage Female Charriere size Colour code Order code 8 Ch 10 Ch 12 Ch 14 Ch

• • • •

PIP code

WHF08

407-3797

WHF10

407-3813

WHF12

407-3839

WHF14

407-3854

box of 30

Curan Advantage Unisex Charriere size Colour code Order code 8 Ch 10 Ch 12 Ch 14 Ch

• • • •

PIP code

WHU08

407-3755

WHU10

407-3730

WHU12

407-3748

WHU14

407-3763

box of 30

For more information visit www.clinimed.co.uk/urology-continence-care/products 19

Curan personal plan Name Hospital/clinic Name of nurse/GP Daytime phone no Office hours Out of hours contact Name of catheter I use Order code Size CH

I catheterise

times per day

Additional information:

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Review date

Urine output record Date

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Volume of fluid drank per day

Volume of urine passed after each catheterisation (ml) 1

2

3

4

5

6

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Useful contacts Aspire www.aspire.org.uk 020 8954 5759

Disabled Living Foundation www.dlf.org.uk 0300 999 0004

Back Up Trust www.backuptrust.org.uk 020 8875 1805

Multiple Sclerosis Society www.mssociety.org.uk 0808 800 8000

Birth Trauma Association www.birthtraumaassociation.org.uk

Multiple Sclerosis Trust www.mstrust.org.uk 0800 032 3839

Bladder and Bowel Community www.bladderandbowel.org 0800 031 5412 Bladder & Bowel UK (formerly PromoCon) www.bladderandboweluk.co.uk 0161 607 8219 Bladder Health UK www.bladderhealthuk.org 0121 702 0820 Diabetes UK www.diabetes.org.uk 0345123 2399 Disability Rights UK www.disabilityrightsuk.org 020 7250 8181 Disabled Living www.disabledliving.co.uk 0161 607 8200

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NHS 111 www.nhs.uk/111 111 SecuriCare (Medical) Ltd. Home delivery service www.securicaremedical.co.uk 0800 585 125 Shine Association for Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus www.shinecharity.org.uk 01733 555988 Spinal Injuries Association www.spinal.co.uk 0800 980 0501 Talk Health Partnership www.talkhealthpartnership.com 01256 962250

Using the Curan ISC range?

SecuriCare’s home delivery service ensures you receive the products you want, when you need them. As a SecuriCare customer, you’ll receive a personalised service tailored to you, as well as a range of complimentary items to support your daily continence care routine.

We deliver...

• Free home delivery service for your prescription continence products • 1-hour delivery window with text message reminder so you don’t have to wait in all day • PharmaCare, SecuriCare’s in-house pharmacy, can deliver all your prescription medicines along with your products in one convenient package • Simple ordering via Freephone, email, online, text or post • Freephone Careline offering expert advice and individual support • EPS (Electronic Prescription Service) your prescription is sent to us electronically, saving time* * with GP consent

It’s easy to join

Call 0800 585 125

Email enquiries@securicaremedical.co.uk

Online at www.securicaremedical.co.uk

Extended opening hours: Mon - Fri, 7.45am - 9pm

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For further information or to order a free sample please contact the CliniMed® Careline on 0800 036 0100

CliniMed Ltd., a company registered in England number 01646927. Registered office: Cavell House, Knaves Beech Way, Loudwater, High Wycombe, Bucks HP10 9QY. Tel: 01628 850 100 Email: enquiries @clinimed.co.uk or visit www.clinimed.co.uk. Curan® and Blue Grip® are registered trademarks of Curan Medical BV, 7007 CJ Doetinchem, The Netherlands. ComfortCoat® is a registered trademark of DSM Biomedical B.V., Koestraat 1, 6167 RA, Geleen, The Netherlands. CliniMed® and SecuriCare® are registered trademarks of CliniMed (Holdings) Ltd. © CliniMed Ltd. 2019. Last Revised October 2021.

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