Analysis of flow rate of continuous bladder irrigation according to the height of the irrigation infusion set

Abstract

This is a control volume analysis to examine the flow rate of irrigation fluid according to the size of indwelling catheter and the height of the fluid bag in consideration of the temperature of irrigation fluid and intra-bladder pressure during continuous bladder irrigation. In case of minimum bladder pressure with room temperature, the flow rates were − 0.045 to 0.993 cc/sec for 18Fr, − 0.053 to 1.176 cc/sec for 20Fr, − 0.055 to 1.227 cc/sec for 22Fr, and − 0.055 to 1.243 cc/sec for 24Fr. In case of maximum bladder pressure with room temperature, the flow rates were − 0.180 to 0.868 cc/sec for 18Fr, − 0.212 to 1.028 cc/sec for 20Fr, − 0.220 to 1.072 cc/sec for 22Fr, and − 0.223 to 1.086 cc/sec for 24Fr. In case of minimum bladder pressure with cold fluid, the flow rates were − 0.028 to 0.365 cc/sec for 18Fr, − 0.033 to 0.749 cc/sec for 20Fr, − 0.034 to 0.781 cc/sec for 22Fr, and − 0.035 to 0.791 cc/sec for 24Fr. In case of maximum bladder pressure with cold fluid, the flow rates were − 0.112 to 0.553 cc/sec for 18Fr, − 0.131 to 0.653 cc/sec for 20Fr, − 0.137 to 0.681 cc/sec for 22Fr, and − 0.139 to 0.689 cc/sec for 24Fr. This study is significant in that it utilized a fluid dynamics approach to provide basic data for continuous bladder wash care. Through the findings of this study, nurses can plan the exchange time of irrigation fluid and the pattern of urinary drainage when performing continuous bladder irrigation. It is also inferred that there may be an advantage in not having to calculate additional material costs for using an infusion pump for patients by determining the hourly injection rate of irrigation fluid based on the height of the infusion set's drop chamber.