PureWick™ At Home
vs. In The Hospital
Many PureWick™ users were introduced to PureWick™ in the hospital. While your PureWick™ Urine Collection
System uses the same Female External Catheter (FEC, or wick) used by hospitals and care facilities, there are a
few differences between the system used at home versus the ones used in the hospital.
Read on to learn more about these differences and what you can expect from your PureWick™ at home.
The hospital uses a different collection method.
The hospital uses a different collection method.
In the hospital or care facility, the FEC is attached to a wall suction system. The wall suction draws voided urine from the FEC into adesignated collection canister.
At home, the FEC is attached to the PureWick™ UrineCollection System (UCS) rather than wall suction. The UCS has a pump that suctions the urine from the FEC into the collection canister.
The PureWick™ Urine Collection System has a preset suction setting.
The PureWick™ Urine Collection System has a preset suction setting.
In the hospital, the suction can be adjusted by a healthcare provider if necessary.
At home, the suction in the Urine Collection System uses a preset suction level that doesn’t require monitoring by a healthcare provider. The suction setting provides a urine capture rate equivalent to that of the hospital.
You may not feel the suction.
You may not feel the suction.
The suction in the PureWick™ System is not used to pull urine out of your body for you. Instead, the user urinates onto the FEC. The voided urine is pulled through tubing into a sealed collection canister.
If you can’t feel the suction, it does not mean your System is not working or that the suction isn’t strong enough.
Leaks may be the result of placement rather than suction.
Leaks may be the result of placement rather than suction.
Women who are using the PureWick™ System at home for the first time may experience leaks, which can happen when the FEC isn’t placed correctly.
In the hospital or other healthcare facility, healthcare providers have undergone training to learn how to place the FEC properly.
At home, it might take a little practice to get the hang of placement. These helpful resources will show you how to properly place your FEC to prevent leaks. You can also contact a PureWick™ product specialist for assistance at 1-877-737-1621 from 9 AM to 9 PM ET seven days a week.
You can check to make sure your suction is functioning properly.
You can check to make sure your suction is functioning properly.
If you think your suction isn’t working properly, these troubleshooting tips can help address any issues that may be related to suction:
Step 1
Ensure that tubing connections are connected properly.
Step 2
Check the collector tubing for blockage or flow restriction such as pinched or kinked tubing.
Step 3
Ensure that the overflow stop valve in collection canister lid is open. The valve floats to the top when the collection canister is full. The stop valve may close if the lid or canister is tipped sideways or upside down. Disconnect the tubing and gently shake the lid to reset the valve down to the open position.
Step 4
Make sure the collection canister is sealed, and the lid is tightly closed.
After performing the above steps, this quick test can verify that your PureWick™ System’s suction is functioning normally. You will need a cup of water.
Disconnect your PureWick™ Female External Catheter from the collector tubing and place the end of the collector tubing into a cup of water. If water easily flows into the collection canister, the suction is functioning normally. Replace the PureWick™ Female External Catheter.
If the water does not flow easily, please contact a PureWick™ product specialist at 1-877-737-1621.
Still Need Help?
If you have any questions about your System, or you’re still not sure if the suction is functioning properly, please contact a PureWick™ Specialist at 1-877-737-1621.
