A cath secure is a medical securement device, designed to offer practicality and comfort. Primarily, they’re used to secure indwelling urinary catheters – also known as Foley catheters – in place. But they’re also suitable for use with many other types of medical tubing, including (but not limited to):

• Central line ports
• Gastrostomy
• Jejunostomy
• Peritoneal dialysis tubing
• Hemovac wound drainage
• Jackson-Platt wound drainage
• EKG lead wires
• Prostatectomy tubes
• Leg bag tubing
• Condom catheters
• PICC lines

By holding the tube securely for up to a week, the device allows for repeated adjustments – without the need for continuous retaping – and improves the patient’s overall comfort and mobility.

First and foremost, catheter holding devices can help to improve clinical outcomes. The open-close tabs allow quick, repeat access to the tubing – greatly improving nurse productivity and eliminating the need for constant retaping. Not only does this lower the risk of medical tube trauma, it also reduces the chance of a catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI).

Secondly, all of the cath secures available in our range are very simple to use. They can be fitted with most types of medical tubing, anchoring the tube in place without restricting flow. And the application process is quick and easy. The device is simply pressed onto the skin, where it’s held down via the alcohol-soluble adhesive, and Velcro strips are used to lock in the tube.

Finally, one of the greatest benefits of a cath secure device is patient comfort.

As the device has a very low profile – with no hard parts – it’s very unlikely to catch on clothes and linens. The adhesive strip successfully prevents any uncomfortable rolling. And the device is DEHP-free, hypoallergenic, and not made from rubber latex. Therefore, it can remain in place for approximately one week, without causing any skin irritation or altering the skin integrity.

Overall, it allows the safe, secure and efficient use of catheters within a clinical setting – improving the quality of care for patients, whilst also helping to lower healthcare costs long-term.

This will depend on several factors, including:

• whether it’s for an adult or child
• the type of tube that needs to be secured
• the size of the tube

Here at Digitimer, we stock a comprehensive range of cath secure devices, with a design to suit all medical needs and preferences. Further information to help you choose a suitable product be found in our urology and urogynaecology brochure.

Two of our most popular devices include the Cath Secure Original – which is the manufacturer’s original multi-purpose tube holder – and the Cath Secure Dual Tab. This features two central tabs, which wrap around the tube and fix them to the patient using a hook-and-loop system.

Whichever option you choose, rest assured, all of our cath secures conform to the highest standards of quality and are OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and CDC (Centers for Disease Control) compliant. They offer an efficient, standardised way to secure medical tubing and they all benefit from the same competitive and affordable pricing structure.

Successfully applying a cath secure involves three simple steps:

1. Prep

Proper skin preparation is essential to the success of any cath secure tube holder.

Start by helping the patient to fully extend their hip. This will help to prevent undue traction in the catheter or medical tube. Then, thoroughly clean the application area with either alcohol or warm soapy water (for sensitive skin). It’s important to clean an area that’s larger than your chosen cath secure device and make sure the skin has completely dried before starting the application.

2. Peel and press

Next, peel the adhesive backing off the device. Position it on the upper front of the thigh and press both sides of the cath secure down firmly. It should stick comfortably to the patient’s skin.

3. Fasten

Finally, the last step is to fasten the medical tube to the device.

Start by placing the tab (or tabs) on the same side of the fastening strip. Position the tube at the base of the tab and wrap the tab around the tube in one complete rotation. Make sure the tube is wrapped quite tightly and, to secure it firmly in place, press the end of the loop onto the fastening strip.

The cath secure can stay in this position for up to a week before it will need replacing. To remove it, simply unfasten the hook-and-loop tabs to release the catheter – and peel the product off like a plaster. The adhesive is alcohol soluble. So if you find that removal is difficult or causing the patient discomfort, simply dampen the base with alcohol and it should peel away much easier.

Our paediatric catheter holding devices are currently available in packs of 50. Whilst, for adult cath secures, you can select from a pack of 10, 20, or 50 to suit your needs.

The bigger the pack, the lower the cost per item. And the pricing structure is exactly the same regardless of which particular device you choose.

Cath secures are designed to be an affordable securement option. And compared to other similar products on the market (which tend to come in smaller packs) they offer much better value for money. They provide superior securement, without the need for plastic parts – and ultimately, that results in lower costs for the end-user.