Is there any reason to measure pouch output?

Is there any reason to measure pouch output?

            Once you get to know what the character and the volume of your pouch are like you can probably simply attend to the business of emptying it. However, for the first few weeks or months mucus production will vary and the capacity of the pouch will gradually increase.

            If you drain the catheter directly into the toilet bowl it’s hard to appreciate the amount and the character of the urine, i.e., if it’s concentrated and you’re behind on fluids, if it’s cloudy and possibly infected or if there is a small amount of blood present. If there’s lots of mucus the flow might be very slow, making it hard to tell if the pouch is really empty.

            Eighteen months after surgery I’m still emptying the pouch into a measuring cup placed in the bathroom sink. An inexpensive plastic one with a capacity of one quart works fine. You’re not likely to ever put out more than 1,000 ml at a time and it’s easy to pour it into the commode.

            Volume, of course, will vary with fluid intake, ambient temperature, physical activity and other factors. I aim for an output of about 100 ml per hour.

            I use the measuring cup when I irrigate to be sure that I’m getting out as much irrigation fluid (sterile saline) as I put in.