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The Closed – System Catheter
Closed system catheters, have a sterile, pre-lubed catheter in a clear collection bag with an introducer tip on one end. This tip is a silicone sheath, slightly over five-eighths of an inch in length, that slides into the urethra. Then the catheter passes through the sheath to the main part of the urethra and the bladder. Since most bacteria that cause UTIs are near the urethral entrance, the introducer tip prevents them from being carried to the bladder by the catheter.
Closed systems are also touch-less. If you use them properly, your hands and any bacteria on them never come in contact with the catheter. And the collection bag enables the closed system to be discreetly used almost anywhere, so you can reduce the risk of letting your bladder get too full while looking for a bathroom. Markers on the side of the collection bag make it easy to monitor volume and stay within the 400-700 cc range. A 1997 clinical trial at UCLA's Department of Urology concluded that introducer-tip catheters "decreased urinary tract infections in hospitalized individuals with spinal cord injury on intermittent catheterization."
The closed-system intermittent catheters is one of the most convenient options for catheter users. If you get frequent UTIs, you may want to try the closed – system catheter because of its unique protective or introducer tip that helps prevent the risk of urinary tract infections. It has ultra-smooth eyelets that allows comfort insertion and removal while avoiding trauma to the urethra.
The closed catheter kit includes a complete and convenient set of sterile supplies. These supplies include a metered closed catheter, catheter tubing, exam gloves, a small disposable privacy sheet, and iodine or providone swabs (which is clear iodine and will not stain clothing or surrounding areas).
Medicare Coverage of Closed System Catheter
With proper doctor documentation, Medicare will cover Closed System Catheter. Today, Medicare knows the fact that closed systems can reduce infection rates. In a recent ruling, Medicare announced that it will cover the closed systems provided there is proper documentation. You automatically qualify if you have reflux (urine that backs up into the kidney) or are immune-suppressed or pregnant. You also qualify with two or more documented infections during a 12-month period.
A "documented infection" means you have symptoms such as increased incontinence or muscle spasms, autonomic dysreflexia, fever, pyuria (pus in the urine) or signs of infection in other organs (e.g., the kidneys or prostate) combined with a cultured bacteria count of 10,000 or higher. The message here is that if you feel a UTI coming on, get a culture and have any other symptoms documented by your doctor. Otherwise your insurance is likely to restrict you to the "four catheters a month" regime. Your doctor must document the presence of symptoms, such as increased incontinence or muscle spasm, autonomic dysreflexia, fever, or signs of infection in other organs, like your kidneys, combined with a cultured bacteria count of 10,000 or higher.
Please check with you primary doctor or urologist to obtain necessary documentation. We will be glad to assist you in doing this. Please call 678-401-2628 for assistance.