부산대학교 도서관

A large number of patients require indwelling catheters owing to loss of urinary function or clinical treatment. Observations in clinical practice revealed that patients with such catheters lack an appropriate location to place the catheters when using wheelchairs. In addition to the increased likelihood of urine reflux, thus resulting in the risk of urinary tract infections, the lack of ability to secure the catheters also made patients unwilling to leave their beds. These reasons were the motive for our innovation of a catheter strap for wheelchairs. The catheter strap uses safety strap material, Velcro and buckles. It is light, portable, easily removable, occupies little space, and convenient to store. During use, its length can be adjusted to suit the width of the wheelchair, and it can be stored away with the wheelchair without having to be removed. In particular, this strap ensures that the catheter is placed at an appropriate location, and that sitting on it does not cause discomfort. It also reduces the risk of urinary tract infection and damage to the urinary drainage bag. Therefore, this product has significant development potential. However, at this stage, it has to be removed by staff or caregivers, and cannot be operated by the patients themselves. If this product is used extensively in clinical practice in the future, its implementation can improve indwelling catheter safety, reduce the risk of urinary tract infection, and enhance patients’ quality of life.