Show
OverviewA urinary catheter is a flexible plastic tube that's used to drain urine from your bladder when you can't urinate on your own. The catheter allows urine to drain from the bladder into a bag. Two types of drainage bags may be used with a urinary catheter.
Having a urinary catheter increases your risk of getting a urinary tract infection. Germs may get on the catheter and cause an infection in your bladder or kidneys. The longer you have a catheter, the more likely it is that you will get an infection. You can help prevent this problem with good hygiene and careful handling of your catheter and drainage bags. How can you help prevent infection?Take care to stay clean
Be careful with your drainage bag
Be careful with your catheter
How do you empty the bag?If your doctor has asked you to keep a record, write down the amount of urine in the bag before you empty it. Wash your hands before and after you touch the bag.
How do you switch to a bedside bag for overnight use?Wash your hands before and after you handle the bags.
How do you clean a bedside bag?Many people clean their bedside bag in the morning if they switch to a leg bag. Before you start, clean and disinfect the area where you will be working, such as the sink and counter. Then follow these steps: · Clear liquid soap
(regular dish soap is fine). 3. Put on the gloves (if worn). · Looks damaged or broken. 11. Take off the gloves (if you wore them) and wash your hands. Make any notes your healthcare provider asked you to make. Important things to rememberWhen cleaning, check the drainage bag for damage (such as holes or tears) and to see if it’s
discoloured. · Damaged. Let the drainage bag, spout, and tubing dry on a clean, dry surface after you clean them. Make sure the spout, connector, and tubing don’t touch anything. Wipe all ends with alcohol or chlorhexidine swabs before you reconnect them.
When should you call for help?Call your doctor or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if:
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse advice line if:
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take. Where can you learn more?Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd Enter U010 in the search box to learn more about "Learning About Indwelling Urinary Catheter Care to Prevent Infection". Where should you hold the catheter?Always keep your urine bag below your bladder, which is at the level of your waist. This will prevent urine from flowing back into your bladder from the tubing and urine bag, which could cause an infection.
Where should the indwelling catheter be secured?As mentioned, a catheter securement device can be applied to the abdomen or the upper thigh. Many clinical experts recommend applying a securement device to the upper thigh in women and to the abdomen in men to maximize the efficiency of urine drainage from the bladder.
What holds an indwelling catheter in place?intermittent catheters – these are temporarily inserted into the bladder and removed once the bladder is empty. indwelling catheters – these remain in place for many days or weeks, and are held in position by an inflated balloon in the bladder.
Where should the indwelling catheter be secured when turning?Positioning of the catheter securement device:. Make sure it's not too tight.. Catheters for both men and women can be secured to the abdomen or thigh as long as tension on the catheter is minimal during rest and activity.. Catheter securement device may be changed weekly.. |