Pre-Lubricated vs Hydrophilic Catheters: Key Differences Explained

Pre-Lubricated (Gel) vs Hydrophilic Catheters: Understanding Your Options

*Hydrophilic (“watery”) catheters are also available “pre-lubricated”. The difference lies in whether it is a gel-based or hydrophilic lubricant.

A brief overview of catheter types:
– Uncoated: gel lubricant must be applied to the catheter to promote ease with insertion and prevent urethral trauma.
– Pre-lubricated gel: The catheter is ready to use directly from the package and is lubricated with gel.
– Coated with sachet: The catheter has an activated coating once water/saline is applied. A sachet in the catheter packaging must be popped within the catheter packaging to allow the hydrophilic compounds to be activated, providing the lubricant.
– Ready-to-use hydrophilic: The catheter is ready-to-use directly from the package and has a hydrophilic (“watery”) lubricant.

Why is choosing the right catheter important?

Choosing the correct catheter is truly dependent on the user’s preference, functional performance skills, and medical necessity. Each catheter has varying rigidity, lubrication, and features and benefits. It’s important for the user to trial various products to determine which product/products they can use easily and efficiently while ensuring their bladder and overall health is maintained. Research does show that using a hydrophilic catheter reduces the chance of UTI compared to uncoated catheters.

What Are Pre-Lubricated Catheters?

Pre-lubricated catheters are ready to use directly from the package. Pre-lubricated catheters are available in either gel or hydrophilic options.

Pre-lubricated catheters reduce friction with the insertion and removal of the catheter, prevent urethral trauma, and manage the risk of UTI. Pre-lubricated catheters may make ISC more efficient, and less cumbersome, and promote independence for individuals (specifically with dexterity concerns).

Each catheter manufacturer provides multiple products with varying features and benefits: length (male anatomy, female anatomy, pediatric), rigidity, lubricant, gripper, insertion tip, and more. Catheter selection is dependent on the functional abilities of the user.

Understanding Hydrophilic Catheters

Hydrophilic means “water-loving”, which means it quickly binds with water. Hydrophilic catheters are coated in a chemical polymer that absorbs water and creates a slippery surface that reduces friction, prevents urethral trauma, and manages the risk of UTI. The “water-loving” lubricant binds with water, creating a slippery coating on the surface of the catheter.

– Clinical studies show that using hydrophilic catheters reduces urethral micro-trauma.

– Self-lubricating, which eliminates the need for additional lubricant to be applied before catheterization.

– Additional gel lubricant or any gel byproducts should not be used in conjunction with a hydrophilic catheter because the chemical compounds and viscosity are very different, and counteract one another. This could alter the individual’s pH, and result in urethral trauma and an increased risk of UTI.

Key Differences Between Pre-Lubricated and Hydrophilic Catheters

Pre-lubricated (gel or hydrophilic) catheters are ready to use directly from the package; a catheter that is not pre-lubricated may require additional supplies and time to complete ISC. The catheter should remain “slippery” throughout catheterization; however, due to osmolality, some catheters may become sticky upon removal. This may cause urethral trauma and UTIs. The user should consider trialing an alternative product.

Pre-lubricated catheters are ready to use, right from the package. They do not require additional lubricant or supplies, nor does it require a significant amount of time to complete ISC.

Catheterization should not be painful; ISC technique and products should be re-evaluated if there is discomfort. If the catheter becomes sticky upon removal from the urethra, another product should be trialed as that users pH does not balance with the previously trialed catheter.

Pros and Cons of Pre-Lubricated Catheters

Pros and Cons of Hydrophilic Catheters

Tips for Using Pre-Lubricated and Hydrophilic Catheters

Best practices for each catheter type:

– Clean technique = washing hands, cleansing urethral meatus, perform ISC

Storage and handling recommendations:

– Store catheters in a convenient location: closet, bathroom cabinets, etc.

– Consider temperature: do NOT leave catheters in your car in the summer, or in your garage in the winter. Temperature changes will impact the chemical compounds of the lubricant, thus affecting the integrity of the catheter. Catheters should remain at room temperature in a dry environment.

– Ensure hands are cleansed prior to ISC.

Hygiene and infection prevention tips:

– Wash your hands with soap and water OR an antibacterial prior to ISC.

– Cleanse the urethral meatus. Those with female anatomy should wipe from front to back (urethral opening towards rectum).

– Ensure you are completing the proper technique, as prescribed (sterile vs clean). Clean technique for ISC is the preferred method of bladder management, and will manage infection risk as long as ISC is completed correctly and consistently throughout the day.

There are pros and cons to both Pre-Lubricated (Gel) and Hydrophilic Catheters. Understanding your options will help you make the choice that is best for you. Remember to consult with healthcare providers for personalized advice.

Request a sample of Pre-Lubricated (Gel) or Hydrophilic Catheters here.

Questions? Chat with a Numotion Representative.