DG DERM lubricant gel
This product is a water-based gel highly compatible with both the human body and medical devices, such as catheters. Its water solubility makes it easy to clean and reduces the risk associated with prolonged contact between medical devices and the body. Biocompatibility tests, conducted in accordance with the ISO 10993 standard, have confirmed its safety and adaptability.
DG DERM GEL ensures it won’t cause irritation due to its optimal pH range of 5.5-6.5. Another important factor is the gel’s osmolality, which is carefully balanced to prevent potential damage to tissue cells. Its compatibility with the urethra helps protect against irritation or harm during use.
DG DERM Lubricant Gel Applications
DG DERM Lubricant Gel is versatile and can be used in a variety of medical procedures that require smooth medical instruments insertion into the body. Its lubricating properties, comfort, and ability to reduce friction make it ideal for numerous applications, including the following:
- Colposcopy
- Cystoscopy
- Endoscopy
- Colonoscopy
- Hysteroscopy
DG DERM Lubricant Gel Key Features
DG DERM Sterile Lubricant Gel is highly compatible with body, due to its optimal pH range of 5.5 to 6.5, ensuring it does not cause irritation or damage to body tissues. Additionally, its water-soluble formulation allows for easy removal from the body.
Lubricant gel additional features:
Lubricity
The lubricity of urinary catheterization lubricants refers to the measurable properties that determine how effectively the lubricant reduces friction during catheter insertion and withdrawal. This is crucial for minimizing patient discomfort and preventing damage to internal tissues. Two key factors coefficient of friction and viscosity play a vital role in ensuring DG DERM Lubricant Gel maximum comfort and effectiveness.
Coefficient of friction
The friction coefficient (COF) is a dimensionless value representing the ratio between frictional force and normal force acting on two surfaces. In catheterization lubricants, maintaining a low COF is essential, as it enables smooth catheter insertion and withdrawal through the lumen. This friction reduction ensures easier movement, minimizes tissue irritation, and improves both procedural efficiency and patient comfort.
Viscosity
Viscosity measures a fluid’s resistance to flow and is crucial in determining how effectively the lubricant coats the lumen or catheter surface and how long it stays in place. For this product, the viscosity is optimized to ensure easy coverage of the entire lumen or catheter surface, remaining intact for the required duration. If the viscosity is too high, the gel may be harder to apply, resulting in incomplete lumen coverage and potentially causing blockage issues.
Antiseptic
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are highly prevalent infections in both community and clinical environments, underscoring the importance of robust prevention and treatment measures.
Statistics show that in the United States, approximately 7 million outpatient visits and over 1 million inpatient visits occur annually due to UTIs. UTIs account for about 20-30% of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), making them one of the most prevalent hospital infections. It is estimated that 75-80% of hospital-acquired UTIs are linked to catheterization. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), infection rates are typically higher in intensive care units (ICUs) due to prolonged catheter use and the patient’s critical condition. Around 15-25% of inpatients are catheterized during their hospitalization. The risk of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) increases with the catheter use duration, rising by 5-7% each day. There is a 50% chance of bacteriuria in patients with catheters in place for more than 7 days, (Bacterial presence in urine), although not all cases lead to symptomatic infection. Applying antiseptic lubricant gels effectively reduces CAUTI incidence. Hospitals participating in the National Health Safety Network (NHSN) program reported a 30-50% reduction in CAUTI rates. DG DERM Lubricant Gel, with its potent antiseptic properties due to chlorhexidine gluconate, significantly lowers the risk of CAUTI. A carefully balanced concentration in this ingredient minimizes allergic reaction risk.
Local Anesthesia
DG DERM Lubricant Gel contains 2% lidocaine, ensuring a safe and effective concentration for urethral use. This formulation provides topical anesthesia with minimal risk of systemic side effects. Lidocaine works by numbing the urethral lining, alleviating pain and discomfort associated with catheterization, particularly in patients with sensitive urethras or those who undergo frequent catheterizations. The anesthetic effect, along with reduced resistance during catheter insertion, eases the procedure and minimizes the potential for trauma, which is especially important for patients with urethral strictures or abnormalities.
For patients who experience anxiety or pain from previous catheterizations, lidocaine helps reduce discomfort, promoting relaxation and improving patient cooperation during the procedure. Additionally, lidocaine’s numbing effect may help accelerate recovery by minimizing urethral damage and discomfort, lowering the risk of inflammation and irritation, and shortening healing time.
Catheterization can be uncomfortable, especially for patients who require frequent procedures, such as those with chronic urinary retention. The anesthetic properties of lidocaine enhance patient tolerance, making the process easier for both patients and healthcare providers. Lidocaine also reduces the risk of involuntary muscle contractions, such as urethral sphincter spasms, further enhancing comfort and reducing pain during catheter insertion.
When used topically at typical concentrations (such as 2%) in lubricating gels, lidocaine significantly reduces the systemic side effects risk. It provides effective local anesthesia without causing drowsiness or major systemic reactions. Lidocaine has a rapid onset of action, usually within 3 to 5 minutes, allowing patients to experience relief quickly and minimizing delays during catheterization. Maximum anesthesia is typically reached within 10 minutes, with the effects lasting for 30 to 60 minutes; ideal for most catheterization procedures.
Precautions and Side Effects
While allergic reactions to lidocaine or other local anesthetics are uncommon, reviewing the patient’s allergy history before use is crucial.
In rare instances, excessive application of the anesthetic gel may result in systemic absorption, potentially leading to symptoms such as dizziness, drowsiness, or more serious complications. However, when used as directed and in the recommended dosage, these occurrences are extremely uncommon. Additionally, some patients may experience mild irritation or local discomfort, but these effects are usually temporary and resolve quickly.
Prefilled Syringe
DG DERM Lubricant Gel is available in prefilled syringes, with 6 ml packaging for women and 11 ml for men. This convenient packaging offers significant advantages, enhancing the comfort, safety, and efficiency of the catheterization process.
Adaptation to Anatomical Differences in the Prefilled Syringe
6 ml prefilled syringe for women: Due to the shorter length of the female urethra (approximately 4 cm), a smaller volume of lubricant is sufficient for catheterization. The 6 ml syringe provides the ideal amount of gel, ensuring efficient use without waste or excess.
11 ml prefilled syringe for men: Given the longer male urethra (approximately 20 cm), a larger volume of lubricant is needed to reduce friction and ease catheter insertion. The 11 ml syringe delivers an adequate amount of gel to fully coat the male urethra, ensuring smooth and comfortable catheterization.
Sterility and Safety in Prefilled Syringes
Prefilled syringes are packaged in a sterile environment to prevent CAUTI, significantly reducing the risk of contamination compared to non-sterile packaging or manual handling. The sterile, single-use packaging ensures the elimination of cross-contamination between patients.
Pre-filled Syringes Convenience use
The pre-filled syringe’s ready-to-use design simplifies and speeds up the catheterization process. With no need for measuring or manual application of lubricant, the process is more efficient for doctors and nurses while minimizing the risk of cross-contamination. Additionally, the syringe design ensures precise and consistent lubricant delivery, contributing to better distribution and reducing pain and discomfort during the procedure.
Related Articles
The effectiveness of a lidocaine-based lubricant was evaluated in a 2021 article published in the Bosphorus Medical Journal. The results demonstrated that the product played a significant role in reducing patient pain during prostate cancer evaluation via intrarectal biopsy.
Pain Tolerance: Intrarectal Lidocaine Gel vs. Ultrasonic Gel vs. Nerve Block
Another study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, USA, found that applying 2% lidocaine gel to the catheter and cotton during postvoid residual (PVR) urine volume assessment and Q-tip testing significantly reduced patient discomfort compared to water-based gel. Based on these findings, the study recommends using 2% lidocaine gel instead of water gel for direct catheterization of the female urethra and Q-tip testing.
Urethra Catheterization & the Q-Tip Test
Another study published in the University Hospitals of Leicester-NHS journal in the United States addresses various aspects of urinary catheterization, including catheter selection, procedures for male and female catheterization, catheter care, urine culture guidelines, methods for collecting urine samples from catheters, checking for catheter leakage, potential complications of urinary catheterization, catheter removal procedures, and self-catheterization guidelines for nursing staff. The study also emphasizes key measures to reduce CAUTI, including proper cleansing, ongoing care of pigtail nephrostomy catheters, and the correct procedure for suprapubic catheter replacement.
Urethra Catheterization UHL Policy
This document provides a comprehensive discussion on the importance of lubricant gel and lidocaine products in pain reduction. It serves as an excellent guide for assessing catheterization risks and demonstrates how lubricant gel application can effectively minimize these risks.
A study conducted in the UK and published in the British Journal of Community Nursing examined the challenges of pain in patients undergoing urinary catheterization. The study highlighted a lidocaine-containing gel product, noting its significant effectiveness in reducing pain associated with the procedure. The report emphasized that one of the key factors in minimizing pain and other risks, such as trauma, is the proper technique of catheterization, which must be thoroughly taught and practiced.
Optilube Active: Lubricants in Urinary Catheterization
A study conducted in South Korea and published in the Journal of The Korean Society of Emergency Medicine evaluated the effectiveness of lidocaine in sterile lubricant gel. The research involved 54 patients with an average age of approximately 50 years. Using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) to assess pain, the study found that the product’s pain-reducing impact was significantly greater compared to the control group. Additionally, no cases of sensitivity were reported in the study.
Local Anesthesia for Urethra Catheterization
An assessment of lidocaine’s effectiveness in reducing pain during the catheterization process, published in the Canadian Journal of Health Technology in 2020, used lidocaine concentrations ranging from 2% to 5% and measured an effective time span between 5 to 25 minutes for the lubricant gel. Notably, this comprehensive study concluded that lidocaine was more effective in men than in women.
Urinary Catheter Anesthesia: Effectiveness & Cost Review
A 2019 study conducted at the University of Inonu Malatya, Turkey, compared the effectiveness of two different products containing lidocaine for cystoscopy. The results demonstrated that products with lidocaine were effective in reducing the pain associated with catheterization.
Lidocaine Gel (Dispogel vs. Cathejell) in Cystoscopy
A 2004 study conducted at Stony Brook Hospital’s Academic Emergency Medicine Department in New York found that lidocaine-containing gel was more effective in reducing pain during male catheterization compared to conventional gels. Patients also expressed a preference for topical gels containing lidocaine. The study concluded that lubricant gels with lidocaine are strongly recommended.
Comparison of Topical Anesthetics & Lubricants for Catheterization
A 2020 study published in the British Journal of Nursing in the UK investigated a lubricant gel effect containing lidocaine and chlorhexidine (CHG) on reducing CAUTI. The findings indicated that catheterization frequency reduction was beneficial in preventing CAUTI (HIN, 2017), though for some patients, a catheter-free approach remains unfeasible. The study highlighted a successful alternative approach at NNUH Hospital, where they significantly reduced hospital-associated urinary tract infections (HAI-UTI) from 17% of all hospital infections in 2011 to just 1% in 2018. This achievement was made possible by switching to a catheterization gel containing lidocaine and chlorhexidine.
Choosing a Lubrication Gel for Catheterization: One Trust’s Rationale
A 2020 study published in the Annals of Clinical and Analytical Medicine in Turkey examined lubricant gels application during catheterization. The results confirmed that lubricity primarily protects the urethra from damage, thereby reducing the risk of stricture formation. It was found that 6 ml of lubricant for women and 11 ml for men is sufficient for the successful urethral catheters’ insertion. Furthermore, lubricants containing lidocaine significantly reduce pain during the catheter passage phase, which is typically the most painful part of urethral catheterization.
Petroleum Jelly vs. Water-Based Gels in Urethra Catheterization
Final Conclusion in Articles Evaluation
According to the research cited in the mentioned studies, employing lubricant gel is a critical factor in the catheterization process. Overall, catheterization in urology is a critical component of patient care, yet it involves distinct challenges that require careful attention and expertise. Studies have shown that lubricant gels containing lidocaine and chlorhexidine (CHG) in prefilled syringes are highly effective in catheterization procedures. These gels offer several advantages, such as single-dose packaging with specific volumes for men and women, lubricity, anesthetic and antiseptic properties. One key concern has been sensitivities related to CHG. However, further evaluations from reputable sources indicate that CHG sensitivity risk during catheterization is low. According to the Royal College of Anaesthetists in the UK, the incidence of severe reactions to CHG is only 0.78 per 100,000 cases. Additionally, a randomized clinical trial by Kelly et al. in the UK found that using a lubricant gel with CHG reduced the risk of CAUTI by 50%. Furthermore, a comprehensive study conducted across 21 hospitals in Australia with 1,642 participants showed a 94% reduction in CAUTI risk, with no reports of allergic or harmful effects from CHG.
According to a statistical review of various studies, concerns about hypersensitivity and anaphylaxis are extremely low when using lubricant gels containing lidocaine hydrochloride at 2%, CHG at 0.05%, and parabens at less than 0.08% (with the combined total of CHG and parabens barely reaching 0.13%). As a result, this product is classified as low-risk by the UK’s Royal Society of Anaesthetists. It is important to emphasize that trauma remains the primary concern during catheterization. When trauma occurs, the potential for allergic responses to ingredients, infections, and product failure rises significantly.
