A urinary catheter is a flexible 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 main types of drainage bags may be used with a urinary catheter.
A bedside (or overnight) bag is a large bag that you can hang on the side of your bed or on a chair. You can use it overnight or anytime you will be sitting or lying down for a long time.
A leg bag is a small bag that you can use during the day. It is usually attached to your thigh or calf and hidden under your clothes.
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
Always wash your hands well before and after you handle your catheter.
Clean the skin around the catheter daily using soap and water. Dry with a clean towel afterward. You can shower with your catheter and drainage bag in place unless your doctor told you not to.
When you clean around the catheter, check the surrounding skin for signs of infection. Look for things like pus and irritated, swollen, red, or tender skin around the catheter.
Be careful with your drainage bag
Always keep the drainage bag below the level of your bladder. This will help keep urine from flowing back into your bladder.
Check often to see that urine is flowing through the catheter into the drainage bag.
Empty the drainage bag when it is half full. This will keep it from overflowing or backing up.
When you empty the drainage bag, do not let the tubing or drain spout touch anything.
Keep the cap that comes with the tubing, and cover the tip of the tubing when not in use.
Be careful with your catheter
Do not unhook the catheter from the drain tube until you are ready to change the tubing and bag. That could let germs get into the tube.
Make sure that the catheter tubing does not get twisted or kinked.
Do not tug or pull on the catheter. And make sure that the drainage bag does not drag or pull on the catheter.
Do not put powder or lotion on the skin around the catheter.
Talk with your doctor about your options for sexual intercourse while wearing a 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.
Remove the drain spout from its sleeve at the bottom of the drainage bag.
Open the valve on the drain spout. Let the urine flow out into the toilet or a container. Be careful not to let the tubing or drain spout touch anything.
After you empty the bag, close the valve. Then put the drain spout back into its sleeve at the bottom of the collection bag.
How do you switch to a bedside bag for overnight use?
Wash your hands before and after you handle the bags.
Empty the leg bag that is attached to the tubing and catheter.
Put a clean towel under the tubing attached to the leg bag.
Use an alcohol wipe to clean the tip of the tubing attached to the bedside bag.
To stop the flow of urine, pinch the catheter with your fingers just above the tubing connection.
Use a twisting motion to disconnect the leg bag tubing from the catheter.
Then securely connect the catheter to the tubing from the bedside bag.
How do you clean a bedside bag?
Many people clean their bedside bag in the morning if they switch to a leg bag.
Never leave urine in the bag when it's not in use.
To clean a bedside drainage bag:
Remove the bedside bag and attach the leg bag.
Fill the bedside bag with 2 parts vinegar and 3 parts water. This can be done with a syringe through the drainage spout. Let it stand for 20 minutes.
Empty the bag, and let it air dry.
When should you call for help?
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
You have symptoms of a urinary infection. These may include:
Pain or burning in your lower belly or urethra.
A frequent need to urinate without being able to pass much urine.
Pain in the flank, which is just below the rib cage and above the waist on either side of the back.
Blood in your urine or cloudy urine.
A fever.
Your urine smells bad.
You see large blood clots in your urine.
No urine or very little urine is flowing into the bag for 4 or more hours.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
The area around the catheter becomes irritated, swollen, red, or tender, or there is pus draining from it.
Urine is leaking from the place where the catheter enters your body.
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 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.
Clinical Review Board All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Clinical Review Board All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
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The Health Encyclopedia contains general health information. Not all treatments or services described are covered benefits for Kaiser Permanente members or offered as services by Kaiser Permanente. For a list of covered benefits, please refer to your Evidence of Coverage or Summary Plan Description. For recommended treatments, please consult with your health care provider.
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