How To: Insert a Foley catheter in a woman

This is a good basic video. I have some comments however, that I think would take this from being a B video to an A video. It is very important NOT to pick the sterile drape inside the kit up by the edge; you run the risk of contaminating anything underneath that with your down finger. You must pinch the drape in the middle to pick it up - that will be your down side. Place the drape accordingly. Same with the gloves; do not pick them up by the side as she does in this video. Pinch them in the middle to pick them up and away from the sterile field. I am not sure why a "Bard" catheter does not get its balloon tested. I would still test the balloon anyway (this is personal choice). I always test the balloon and I do so while it is still in the blue covering. That way, if the balloon bursts, the water stays contained in the blue covering. It is not that big of a deal, because the sterile field is water resistant. I just think it is cleaner. Over the thousands of foleys I have put in, only one Bard catheter burst; so it is uncommon. But once is enough for me to take the extra 30 seconds to check the balloon. Checking the balloon means inserting all ten (or whatever the requirement is) milliliters of fluid (which is what you'll do once you get the foley into the bladder). It is important that you do not lose tension in your 'dirty' fingers, because you'll just be contaminating what you just cleaned. I think frog-legging the patient is better than having the knees bent. Especially in obese patients that are hard to see/ get in to. If you have an assistant, a flashlight would be helpful. If you are in the operating room, you can use one of the surgical lights.