PATIENT SATISFACTION AND THE LOFRIC CATHETER FOR CLEAN INTERMITTENT CATHETERIZATION

A pilot study was initiated to determine patient satisfaction with the use of a newly available pre-lubricated, hydrophilic, disposable LoFr ic catheter for clean intermittent catheterization. The study populat ion consisted of 16 new patients and 25 experienced with clean intermi ttent catheterization. Patients were asked questions regarding conveni ence, ease of handling, comfort and general opinion of the catheters. Four new and 8 experienced patients dropped out of the study. Of the n ew patients who completed the study 75% found clean intermittent cathe terization less troublesome than expected and all wish to continue usi ng the catheter. Of the experienced patients 81% had a more favorable general opinion of the disposable than of the previous catheter, 81% f ound the disposable catheter to be more convenient and 88% thought it was easier to handle. It appears that most people will be satisfied wi th the disposable catheter and will prefer it as an alternative to a p lastic catheter with lubrication applied by the patient.