About the community trial without catheter
What is a community trial without catheter?
The catheter is removed from your bladder to determine if you are able to pass urine normally. The trial will last from when your catheter is removed around 8:30am until mid afternoon the same day (around 3:30pm) when a nurse will assess how well you are emptying your bladder.
How will the nurse remove my catheter?
During a trial without catheter a community nurse will remove your catheter. To do this the nurse will use a syringe to deflate the balloon that keeps your catheter in place in your bladder. It will then slide out.
Do not attempt to do this yourself. This will be done either at home or in a clinic.
How will the nurse assess if my bladder is emptying satisfactorily?
During your trial please try to complete the chart opposite by recording the amount of fluid you drink and the amount of urine you pass.
In the afternoon the nurse will look at this chart with you. The nurse will also perform a bladder scan. You will be asked to try pass urine before your scan and then your bladder will be scanned to check if you have any urine left in after this.
For the scan you will need to adjust your clothing so that the nurse can scan your lower abdomen (tummy). A small amount of gel is placed on your lower abdomen onto which the nurse places the scanner head to take a picture of your bladder.
What happens if I pass the trial?
If the nurse is satisfied that your bladder is seen to empty fully when you
have been to the toilet then the catheter will stay out.
What happens if I can pass some urine but my bladder it is not emptying fully?
The nurse will discuss the findings with you. The bladder scan may show that you are not completely emptying your bladder. The nurse will discuss the result and discuss with you whether a catheter needs to be reinserted or it may be decided to extend the trial to see how you manage.
Alternatively intermittent self catheterisation may be suggested. If this is a possibility a full explanation will be provided.
What happens if I cannot pass urine at all during the trial?
You may have no urge to pass urine at all. If you cannot pass urine despite having the urge to void then you will need to have the catheter reinserted. If you cannot pass urine you may feel discomfort or pain across your abdomen or your abdomen may become swollen. You may start to feel unwell.
If you experience any of these symptoms you should contact your nurse or specialist nurse as soon as possible and have no more drinks in the meantime. It is likely that you will be referred to a urologist or a specialist catheter clinic for further assessment and advice.
Post-trial without Catheter voiding chart
Use the voiding chart to help you track your fluid passing.
