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URINARY CATHETER CARE QUICK GUIDE FOR PATIENTS AND CARERS THIS IS MODERN MEDICINE

Contents What Is A Urinary Catheter 3 Types Of Catheterisation 3 Types Of Catheter Drainage System 4 How Do I Use My Catheter Valve 5 How Do I Wear My Catheter Valve 5 How Often Should I Change My Catheter Valve 5 Do I Still Have To Use A Leg Or Bed Bag 5 Disposing of the Flip Flo Catheter Valve 5 Drainage Bags 6 How Do I Wear The Leg Bag 6 To Empty The Leg Bag 6 What Happens At Night 6 The Importance Of Maintaining A Closed System 7 Disposing Of The Drainage Bags 8 Catheter Care And Management 8 Minimising Risk Of Infection 10 Potential Problems 11 No Drainage From Catheter 11 Further Information 11

Urinary Catheter Care Quick Guide for Patients and Carers What Is A Urinary Catheter A catheter is a narrow hollow flexible tube introduced into the urinary tract and bladder to drain urine It is held in place by a small balloon at the catheter tip inside the bladder The balloon is inflated with sterile water As urine fills your bladder it drains down the catheter into the bag Patients do not need to pass water while they have a catheter in place The catheter can be left in place for up to three months but will usually be changed every 4 or 10 weeks depending on the type of catheter Types Of Catheterisation A Foley catheter can be used to drain urine from the bladder by inserting the catheter either via the urethra or through an artificial tract in the abdominal wall just above the pubic bone called suprapubic catheterisation FEMALE CATHETERISATION Figure 1 Suprapubic Catheter Figure 2 Urethral Catheter 3

Urinary Catheter Care Quick Guide for Patients and Carers MALE CATHETERISATION Figure 1 Suprapubic Catheter Figure 2 Urethral Catheter Types Of Catheter Drainage System There are di erent types of drainage systems to use with your catheter these include catheter valves and drainage bags Catheter Valves The Flip Flo Catheter Valve is a tap like device which fits into the end of your catheter urethral or suprapubic it can be used whether your catheter is permanent or temporary The Flip Flo Catheter Valve o ers an alternative to using a drainage bag Your bladder continues to store urine and can be emptied intermittently by releasing the Flip Flo Catheter Valve thus helping to maintain normal function of the bladder Many people prefer to use a catheter valve Your Doctor will decide If a Valve is suitable for you to use Figure 1 Flip Flo Catheter Valve 4

Urinary Catheter Care Quick Guide for Patients and Carers How Do I Use My Catheter Valve As recommended by your Doctor or Nurse You should open your catheter valve whenever you feel the need to pass urine before bed first thing in the morning and during the night if necessary and at least every 3 4 hours during the day as well as before opening your bowels How Do I Wear My Catheter Valve You may find that your catheter valve will tuck into your underwear alternatively support it with a catheter retainer strap such as a G Strap Cath Secure on your upper thigh How Often Should I Change My Catheter Valve The Flip Flo Catheter Valve should be changed every 5 7 days earlier only if damaged Do I Still Have To Use A Leg Or Bed Bag Flip Flo Catheter Valves can also be used with a bed bag at night or with a Leg Bag during the day if toilet access is likely to be a problem Disposing of the Flip Flo Catheter Valve Empty your bladder then remove the old catheter valve and replace it with a new one Rinse the catheter valve and place in a plastic bag before disposing of the bag in the household rubbish 5

Urinary Catheter Care Quick Guide for Patients and Carers Drainage Bags You may need two types of drainage bag with a catheter Leg Bag which is worn under your normal clothing during the day Bed Bag to be used at night The bed bag is larger than a leg bag and is connected to the bottom of the leg bag to collect the urine which drains from your bladder overnight How Do I Wear The Leg Bag How you wear the leg bag depends on how you feel comfortable The bag can be attached to your thigh or calf with a pair of leg bag straps or worn inside a special bag holder against the leg The leg bag comes in three di erent sizes and three di erent tube lengths Your nurse will help you to choose the one that suits you best As the leg bag fills it becomes heavier Do not allow the bag to become too full To Empty The Leg Bag Firstly wash your hands thoroughly open the tap at the bottom of the bag and drain it into a toilet or suitable container Close the tap after you have drained the bag and wash your hands again What Happens At Night At night connect a bed bag to the bottom of the leg bag and open the leg bag tap to allow it to drain freely Support the bed bag on a stand and always keep the bag lower than your bladder do not allow the bed bag to lie on the floor The next morning close the tap on the leg bag and remove the bed bag The bed bag should then be emptied and disposed of if single use Otherwise empty the bag into the toilet and leave on catheter stand Replace blue cap on tubing and wrap it around the stand and o the floor 6

Urinary Catheter Care Quick Guide for Patients and Carers The Importance Of Maintaining A Closed System The catheter and leg bag form a closed drainage system which prevents bacteria getting into the system and reduces the risk of and reduces the risk of infection The leg bag should only be disconnected from the catheter when the leg bag needs replacing e g every 5 7 days earlier only if damaged Figure above shows connection between leg bag and night bag Please note marked drainage valve must be in the open position 7

Urinary Catheter Care Quick Guide for Patients and Carers Disposing Of The Drainage Bags Empty the bag remove it and connect a new one Wrap the bag in a plastic bag before disposing of in the household waste Always wash your hands with warm soapy water and dry them well before and after handling the catheter and drainage bags The area around the catheter should be cleaned with mild soap and water morning and night and after bowels have opened Do not use powder deodorant or creams around the catheter or on the suprapubic site Catheter Care And Management Anchor the catheter to the skin allowing a soft curve to avoid the tube pulling which can lead to trauma or induce bladder spasms resulting in urine bypassing The following stabilisation devices are used in Beacon Hospital Cath Secure sticking plaster device G strap Simpla strap should be changed as needed 8

Urinary Catheter Care Quick Guide for Patients and Carers The catheter should be positioned in soft S curve Always keep the urinary bag below bladder level to ensure good drainage and prevent back flow Avoid kinking the tubing Avoid disconnecting the leg bag from the catheter other than for routine bag changes even when bathing or showering because this will increase the risk of an infection Leg bags and night bags should be changed every 7 days You should have the night bag placed on catheter night stand Uristand You should drink at least 1 5 to 2 litres of water per day unless your consultant has instructed to restrict fluid intake for other medical reasons This means one glass or cup every waking hour Eating a well balanced high fibre diet can prevent constipation Constipation can cause the catheter to bypass leak and increase the risk of urinary tract infection Keep mobile 9

Urinary Catheter Care Quick Guide for Patients and Carers Minimising Risk Of Infection When a catheter has been inserted personal hygiene becomes extremely important The most common problem when using a catheter is urinary tract infection due to bacteria entering the bladder via the catheter Following these simple guidelines can minimise this risk Always wash and dry your hands before and after handling the catheter Wash the catheter with a soft wet cloth using downward strokes away from the body and then wash the area where the catheter enters the body this must be done at least twice a day or more if there is discharge Men should pull back the foreskin carefully to wash under remembering to replace the foreskin immediately Women should wipe from the front to the back to prevent contamination 10

Urinary Catheter Care Quick Guide for Patients and Carers Potential Problems Bladder cramps These are not uncommon particularly when the catheter is first inserted These will generally settle within a couple of days Try taking some simple analgesia like paracetamol If they do not settle contact the Urology Day Unit Discoloured or strong smelling urine Dark strong smelling urine usually means that you are not drinking enough Drink at least two litres of water per day Urinary tract infections Signs of an infection include Cloudy bloody or smelly urine Feeling unwell fevers chills or shaking Bladder pelvic lower back or flank pain No Drainage From Catheter Troubleshooting Is the tubing bent or kinked Is the bag below the bladder level Is there sediment in the tubing which is blocking the catheter Have you been drinking enough Try walking this may dislodge the blockage Further Information Please contact the Urology Day Unit if you have any further queries Urology Department Beacon Hospital 01 293 6042 Mon Fri 9am to 5pm Email urology beaconhospital ie Out Of Hours Nursing Supervisor 01 293 7535 11

Beacon Hospital Sandyford Dublin 18 D18 AK68 Tel 01 293 6600 www beaconhospital ie Version 1 01 2024 12