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  • 1.  Urology Medical Assistants performing catheter changes

    Posted 08-05-2025 15:08

    I am curious to see the practice of other Urology clinics regarding the use of Medical assistants, specifically regarding catheter changes and SPT changes. In our clinic here in Michigan we have a mix of Nurses and Medical Assistants. The MAs have normally assisted with rooming patients, obtaining vitals, injections, Trial of Voids and catheter changes (Foley and SPT). A few months ago we were informed that we could no longer have our MAs perform catheter changes be it a Coude or now even a regular Foley. Can other urology clinics provide insight into the daily duties for medical assistants in their clinics? 

    thank you. 



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    Leanna Cromwell
    Livonia MI
    3135741043
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  • 2.  RE: Urology Medical Assistants performing catheter changes

    Posted 08-05-2025 15:12

    Hello Leanna,

    Our organization, which covers Virginia and North Carolina, allows for Medical Assistants to insert foley or coude catheters based on a Provider's order and if they've been signed off on this task in their skills checklist.

     

    Thank you,

     

    J.J. Peacock, MSN-Ed., RN, AMB-BC

    Professional Development Generalist, Sentara Ambulatory Services Division

    Chair, AAACN Staff/Patient Education SIG

     

    Office: 434-654-4529

    Email: SJPEACOC@sentara.com | SASDClinEduTeam@sentara.com

    590 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Suite 323, Charlottesville, VA 22911

     

    RQI: RQI_SASD@sentara.com | Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI) (sharepoint.com)

     

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  • 3.  RE: Urology Medical Assistants performing catheter changes

    Posted 08-12-2025 10:07

    morning!  Do you happen to have a copy of the skills check of list for cath changes?

    Thank you!



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    Megan Anderson RN
    Skagit Regional Health
    Lake Stevens WA
    (360) 710-8652
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  • 4.  RE: Urology Medical Assistants performing catheter changes

    Posted 08-06-2025 06:41

    Good morning, we do not allow MA to do SPT or Foley exchanges.  They are only allowed to remove catheters for cystoscopes with competency completed.  This occurs very rarely.  



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    Glenda Wright MHA, BSN, RN-BC
    Clinic Coordinator
    HealthPark Specialty Clinic (TGH)
    gwright@usftgp.org
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  • 5.  RE: Urology Medical Assistants performing catheter changes

    Posted 08-08-2025 11:36

    Hello,

    In our state MA's are also not allowed to perform these tasks.  They room patients and perform intake, run urine specimens, set up for procedures, turn rooms over, etc. This has led to be a much higher RN/LPN ratios and very few MA's in our clinic, compared to our other specialty clinics.  



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    Shana Osman MSHA BSN
    UAB Hospital
    Hoover AL
    2055167482
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  • 6.  RE: Urology Medical Assistants performing catheter changes

    Posted 08-10-2025 11:29
    Good Morning!
    The scope of practice for MAs in does not include catheter changes in urology clinics. As a general rule, MAs, are not allowed to do invasive procedures such as catheter changes. We encourage them not to do procedures/tasks which require an RN assessment as well.
    Hope this helps, 

    --
    Lorraine