WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: What is a Foley catheter? A Foley catheter is a sterile (germ-free) tube that is inserted into your bladder to drain urine. It is also called an indwelling urinary catheter. The tip of the catheter has a small balloon filled with solution that holds the catheter in your bladder. How is a Foley catheter placed? - Your healthcare provider will clean your genital area with a sterile solution. He will put lubricant jelly on the catheter to help it go in smoothly. He will insert the end of the catheter with the deflated balloon into your urethra. The catheter will be moved slowly and gently into your bladder. You may be asked to take slow, deep breaths or to push as if you were trying to urinate as the catheter is inserted.
- When your healthcare provider sees urine flowing from the catheter, he will fill the balloon at the end of the catheter. The balloon holds the catheter in place so it does not come out. Your healthcare provider will attach the open end of the catheter to a sterile drainage bag.
How do I care for my Foley catheter? - Clean your genital area every day. Use soap and water. Clean your catheter and the area around where it was inserted.
- Secure the catheter tube so you do not pull or move the catheter. This helps prevent pain and bladder spasms. Healthcare providers will show you how to use medical tape or a strap to secure the catheter tube to your body.
- Keep a closed drainage system. Your Foley catheter should always be attached to the drainage bag to form a closed system. Do not disconnect any part of the closed system unless you need to change the bag.
How do I care for my drainage bag? - Keep the drainage bag below the level of your waist. This helps stop urine from moving back up the tubing and into your bladder. Do not loop or kink the tubing. This can cause urine to back up and collect into your bladder. Do not let the drainage bag touch or lie on the floor.
- Empty the drainage bag when needed. The weight of a full drainage bag can be painful. Empty the drainage bag every 3 to 6 hours or when it is ⅔ full.
- Clean and change the drainage bag as directed. Ask your healthcare provider how often you should change the drainage bag and what cleaning solution to use. Wear medical gloves when you change the bag. Do not allow the end of the catheter or tubing to touch anything. Clean the ends with an alcohol pad before you reconnect them.
What problems may occur with my Foley catheter? - No urine is draining into the bag.
- Check for kinks in the tubing and straighten them out.
- Check the tape or strap used to secure the catheter tube to your skin. Make sure it is not blocking the tube.
- Make sure you are not sitting or lying on the tubing.
- Make sure the urine bag is hanging below the level of your waist.
- Urine leaks from or around the catheter, tubing, or drainage bag. Check if the closed drainage system has accidently come open or apart. Clean the catheter and tubing ends with a new alcohol pad and reconnect them.
What are the risks of a Foley catheter? You may develop an infection caused by bacteria. This can happen when the drainage system is opened and bacteria get inside the tubing. You can also get an infection if the catheter equipment is not cleaned well or you do not wash your hands. The infection can spread to your bladder or other organs, and may become severe. How can I help prevent an infection? - Wash your hands before and after you touch your catheter, tubing, or drainage bag. Use soap and water. Wear clean medical gloves when you care for your catheter or disconnect the drainage bag. Wash your hands before you prepare or eat food.
- Drink liquids as directed. Ask your healthcare provider how much liquid to drink each day and which liquids are best for you. Liquids will help flush your kidneys and bladder to prevent infection.
When should I contact my healthcare provider? - You have a fever.
- You see blood in the tubing or drainage bag.
- You have a rash or itching where the catheter tube is secured to your skin.
- Urine leaks from or around the catheter, tubing, or drainage bag.
- The closed drainage system has accidently come open or apart.
- You see a layer of crystals inside the tubing.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
When should I seek immediate care or call 911? - Your catheter comes out.
- You suddenly have material that looks like sand in the tubing or drainage bag.
- There is no urine draining into the bag and you have checked the system.
- You have pain in your hip, back, pelvis, or lower abdomen.
- You have bladder spasms.
- You are confused or cannot think clearly.
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