Patient education: How to care for a urinary catheter (The Basics)

What is a urinary catheter? — A urinary catheter is a thin, flexible tube that drains urine from the bladder. It connects to a special bag outside of the body (figure 1). The bag holds the urine until someone empties it.

In some cases, like if you are recovering from surgery, you might need to have a catheter for a short time. You might also need a catheter if your bladder isn't working properly or if you have a large prostate that prevents you from urinating normally.

Sometimes, a catheter is used for a long time. If so, you will need to get a new catheter every few weeks.

Having a catheter increases the risk of urinary tract infections. There are things that you can do when caring for the catheter to lower this risk.

How do I care for a urinary catheter at home? — Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

Your doctor might recommend working with a home health nurse. If so, they will come to your home to teach you how to care for the catheter.

To care for the catheter:

●Wash your hands before and after handling the catheter.

●Wash the skin around the catheter with soap and water each day. Rinse well, and pat the skin dry.

●Do not get lotions or creams on the tube.

●Keep the tube secure. You might want to use special straps or another device to keep the bag or catheter on your leg.

●Do not let the tube pull or catch when you move around.

●Do not let the tube kink or loop.

●Do not clamp the catheter or tubing unless you were told to.

To care for the drainage bag:

●Always keep the bag below your bladder.

●Empty the bag often. To do this:

•Wash your hands.

•Slide the drain tube out of its holder.

•Place the drain tube over the toilet or a clean container. Do not let the drain tube touch the toilet or container.

•Open the clamp or valve, and drain the urine. If you were told to, drain the urine into a container. Measure the amount, and write it down.

•When the bag is empty, close the clamp or valve and place it back in the holder.

•Wash your hands.

●To change bags:

•Wash your hands.

•Empty the bag.

•Put a towel under the place where the catheter and the tubing connect.

•Wipe the connection with an alcohol wipe, and let it air dry.

•Pinch the soft rubber catheter so urine does not leak out.

•Disconnect the tubing from the catheter with a twisting motion.

•Use another alcohol wipe, and clean the end of the catheter. Move away from the opening as you clean.

•Take the cap off of the new tubing and bag, and attach the catheter to the tubing.

•Stop pinching the catheter, and let the urine drain into the new tubing and bag.

•Make sure that the catheter and bag are secure, but do not pull.

•Rinse the used, empty drainage bag with 1 cup (240 mL) vinegar mixed with 1 cup (240 mL) water. Shake the mixture around, and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Rinse the bag thoroughly with cool water, and let it dry.

•Place a cap on the drainage bag that you are not using, and store it in a clean towel.

•Wash your hands.

You should also:

●Wear cotton underwear.

●Check regularly to make sure that there is urine in the bag. If you do not see urine:

•Change your position to help urine flow out.

•Check the tubing and catheter for kinks or loops. Be sure that the tube is not clamped.

•Make sure that the bag is lower than your bladder.

●Drink plenty of fluids.

●Avoid soaking in a bath, hot tub, pool, or other body of water while the catheter is in. Showers are OK.

●Talk to your doctor about what you can and cannot do while the catheter is in place. In general, you can do many of your normal activities as long as you keep the drainage bag below the level of your bladder.

When should I call the doctor? — Call for advice if:

●You have any signs of infection – These include a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, chills, pain around the catheter, or redness or swelling of the skin around the catheter.

●Your urine has blood in it, is dark or coffee colored, has solid bits in it, or looks like pus.

●The tube comes out, or urine stops flowing into the bag.

●You feel burning or pain in your bladder.

●You have any new or worrying symptoms.

More on this topic

Patient education: Urinary catheter placement (The Basics)
Patient education: How to remove a urinary catheter (The Basics)
Patient education: How to use a catheter to empty the bladder (The Basics)
Patient education: Suprapubic catheter placement (The Basics)
Patient education: How to care for a suprapubic catheter (The Basics)
Patient education: Lowering the risk of a catheter-associated urinary tract infection (The Basics)