the lubricious hydrophilic coatings of the invention include a hydrophilic polyolefin such as polyvinyl - pyrrolidone and a water - insoluble stabilizing polymer such as a cellulose ester . the coatings may also include an adherent polymer and a plasticizing agent . the coatings are significantly more lubricious when wet than when dry , are adherent to a variety of substrates , and are resistant to removal by wet abrasion . the coating method of the invention involves preparing a solution of the stabilizing polymer and a solution of the hydrophilic polyolefin , and coating the substrate first in one then the other . alternatively , both the insolubilizing and hydrophilic polymers may be dissolved in a single solvent system and applied to the substrate in a single step . the solutions of the invention are stable , non - reactive , and non - hazardous . the coatings of the invention may be applied to biomedical devices and implants such as catheters , condoms , and nasogastric and endotracheal tubes .