If you or someone you care for has to use a catheter, you might be concerned about the proper storage of these urological supplies. Luckily, following a few rules of thumb can help you store them properly.
1. Keep in Their Original Packaging Until Needed
First of all, you should know that it is typically best to store your catheters in their original packaging. They are typically packaged in sterile packaging, so minimizing contact can help keep them clean and safe to use. Plus, the packaging that they come in is typically designed to maximize shelf life. Before using, make sure that you check the packaging on each catheter to ensure that the package has not been tampered with.
2. Keep Out of the Sunlight and Heat
When storing catheters, make sure that you keep them out of the sunlight and heat. Instead, keep them in a cool, dry place, such as in a cabinet or drawer. The exposure to the sunlight could affect the packaging or the catheters themselves. When carrying catheters while you are out and about, avoid placing them in direct sunlight in the car; instead, consider keeping them in a small bag in the center console of the vehicle. You can even keep a bag of catheters underneath your wheelchair seat, if you use one, to keep them out of the sun yet close at hand.
3. Rotate by Expiration Date
One thing that a lot of people do not know is that catheters and other urological supplies actually have expiration dates. It is recommended to use these products by these dates, but it can be easy to lose track of shelf life if you aren't careful. Each time that you purchase a new package of catheters, make sure that you check the shelf life date and compare to the dates on the packages that you already have. Then, put the catheters with the soonest expiration date at the front or top of the rest so that they will be used first.
As you can see, there are a few general guidelines that you will want to keep in mind if you have to keep catheters on hand, whether for yourself or someone who you take care of. If you follow these three tips and make sure that you purchase all of your urological supplies from a company that you trust, you should not have anything to worry about when storing them. Click here for more information.
Share1 July 2016
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