Advantages of the urinary sheath
The urinary sheath, if used correctly, is a safe, discreet,
convenient and comfortable method of managing male
incontinence and compares favourably with pads and
indwelling catheters.
Compared with pads, the urinary sheath is more hygienic,
comfortable, cost-effective and more environmentally
friendly (Potter, 2007).
As the sheath directs urine away from the body, there is
less likelihood of skin excoriation and infection, and there
may be less urine odour, as it is not exposed to air when the
pad is full or has leaked onto clothing.
Compared with indwelling catheters, the risk of urinary
tract infection (UTI) is greatly reduced. A study involving
75 hospitalised men aged >40 years old, without
dementia, concluded that patients with an indwelling
catheter were five times more likely to develop bacteriuria,
symptomatic UTI or to die as those who used a urinary
sheath (Saint et al, 2006).