Urinary Catheter Wipe Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Laboratory and user evaluation of an impregnated cleaning wipe for intermittent urinary catheters (SBRI Phase 2b)
IRAS ID
218275
Contact name
Mandy Fader
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 1 days
Research summary
Study to evaluate SQ53-impregnated wipes for cleaning used intermittent urinary catheters(IC).
Why?: In the UK, IC users are generally supplied with single-use catheters(thrown away after one use). This is not the case worldwide, where the catheter is cleaned and re-used several times, or a mix of both. The ability to re-use catheters has been reported by catheter users as having potential user benefits such as always having a catheter available, fewer catheters to carry around and dispose of, potential cost savings to individuals fewer prescriptions)and the NHS.
What?: The proposed study will investigate whether SQ53-impregnated wipes can successfully be used by catheter users as a one-step cleaning method for potential re-use of catheters in the future.
Who: Ten expert patients who are IC users and current panel members for informing research studies.
Where: Participants will carry out testing in their own home and return the single use catheter to the laboratory for microbiological analysis.
How: The time frame for the study is over six to eight months.
Participants will be provided with all equipment and following consent and training will be asked to use 15 uncoated, sterile, plastic catheters just once, as part of their normal catheterisation regime. The catheters will be treated in three different ways following use:
1. Catheters 1-5 returned without any cleaning or rinsing.
2. Catheters 6-10 returned following a rinse with running tap water.
3. Catheters 11-15 returned following cleaning with the study wipe.The catheters are placed in a sealed plastic bag and sent by labelled FREEPOST Royal Mail samples boxes to the laboratory for microbiological analysis.
Panel meetings are held prior to and following the testing period for preparation and feedback respectively.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 4
REC reference
18/WS/0076
Date of REC Opinion
27 Apr 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion