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# Urinary catheterisation - Whole blood and components

## Essential information

Includes

  Self-catheterisation, indwelling urinary catheter.

Obligatory

  Must not donate if:

  1. Has an indwelling urinary catheter.
  2. It is less than 7 days since catheterisation.
Discretionary

  If it is 7 days or more since catheterisation, there are no symptoms suggestive of urinary tract infection, and the underlying condition does not prevent donation, accept.

## Supporting information

See if relevant
  - Kidney and bladder disease
Additional information

  Self-catheterisation is usually needed regularly every day for bladder emptying.

  Catheterisation including self-catheterisation is also used to administer drugs directly into the bladder. It is important to ensure that the underlying condition requiring this treatment does not prevent donation.

  Catheterisation is likely to cause bacteraemia following the procedure. Bacteria can be a serious threat to anybody receiving blood or blood components. This is because they can multiply to dangerous levels after collection. The waiting time after catheterisation is to allow any bacteria that have entered the blood stream to be cleared.

  Indwelling urinary catheters are associated with ongoing, sometimes asymptomatic, urinary infection with the associated risk of bacteraemia. The underlying condition may prevent donation.

Reason for change:
  Title changed to allow inclusion of guidance for individuals with indwelling catheters as well as those who undertake self-catheterisation. Discretionary guidance to be able to accept some donors who require catheterisation periodically has been added, and additional information regarding this has been included. A link to Kidney and Bladder Disease has been added.
Version details:

  WB-DSG Edition 203 Release 61 (22 February 2022)

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