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With more than 30 years on the market, LoFric has been used and documented in several ways. In addition to efficiently emptying the bladder, LoFric’s versatile use includes treatment and prevention of recurrent strictures, administration of chemotherapy by bladder instillation, and resolution of rare complications.

A surprisingly high number of patients reuses catheters intended for single-use every day putting them at risk for unnecessary complications. Single-use hydrophilic catheters for intermittent catheterization lower the risk for short- and long-term complications and are a convenient and preferred choice for many patients.

Available clinical evidence supports the strategy to always consider intermittent catheterization as the first therapeutic choice, before considering the use of an indwelling catheter. Intermittent catheterization is the first therapeutic choice and is a safer bladder management method than both urethral and suprapubic indwelling catheters. Intermittent catheterization is central to reduce morbidity related to renal failure and neurogenic bladder dysfunction.

One way to prevent antimicrobial resistance is by preventing common infections and limiting the overuse of antibiotics.

Introduction of a no-touch catheter/technique for intermittent catheterization seems to be well accepted both by caregivers and patients and it is not necessarily associated with higher costs. On the contrary, it could potentially reduce costs, saving time and errors in the healthcare system and reduce infection complications in general. The clinical evidence level is low for using no-touch technique/catheter to reduce UTIs but current available studies suggest benefits of it.

Catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are common in the hospital setting with consequential morbidity and mortality. The risk of bacterial adhesion and invasion of the urinary tract increases with use of an indwelling catheterization and may be reduced by adopting intermittent catheterization using hydrophilic single-use catheters.

Single-use, hydrophilic-coated catheters lower the risk of UTIs and have been reported as both convenient and the preferred choice for people who rely on intermittent catheterization for their bladder management.

For those who cannot empty their bladder the normal way, intermittent catheterization is the therapy of choice to maintain urethral health. Complications are common but when hydrophilic single-use catheters enter the market, the risks of UTI drop significantly. Low friction seems to be key to maintaining urethral health. Today, there is only one hydrophilic catheter that is scientifically proven to reduce complications also after long-term use.

Single-use hydrophilic catheters were developed in the early eighties to address long-term complications of intermittent catheterization that came about when people reused plastic catheters with add-on lubrication.

Extensive studies and scientific literature support claims that use of hydrophilic catheters reduces urethral trauma and urinary tract infections (UTIs). This in turn can minimize the need for antibiotics. Because of these benefits, we now know that hydrophilic catheters are one of the most cost-effective ways to prevent long term urological complications in general and UTIs in particular.

A lubricated catheter is recommended to reduce damage to the urethra and lower the risk of hematuria which is a common complication. A cross-over study comparing different hydrophilic catheters showed an even lower frequency of hematuria in patients who chose LoFric.