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Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Caring for your urinarycatheter at home

Issued by the Infection Prevention and Control Team

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Introduction It has been recommended that you have a urinary catheter inserted as part of the care you are receiving. This leaflet aims to provide information about the insertion procedure and about the future care of your urinary catheter. What is a urinary catheter? A catheter is a hollow, flexible tube designed to drain urine from your bladder. There are two ways to have a catheter inserted. A urethral catheter is placed through your urethra (normal water passage) into your bladder and held in place by a small, water filled balloon. A suprapubic catheter is inserted into the bladder through a tract made in the tummy wall. This is also held in place by a small water filled balloon.

Male and female urethral catheter

Male and female suprapubic catheter

© 2019 BD. Used with permission.

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Why do I need a urinary catheter? There are many reasons why you may need a catheter

• You have not been able to pass urine.

• You may need it for other health-related problems.

• You may need it for a short period, such as after surgery, or you may need it permanently.

Your doctor/nurse will explain to you in detail why you need to have a catheter and for how long you may need to have it.

Reducing the risks of urine infections Having a catheter increases your risk of getting a urinary tract infection (water infection) as it is easier for germs to enter your bladder, many of the germs are found in your intestines and do not usually cause infection there. If you are unwell with a urinary tract infection it can be treated with antibiotics and removal or change of catheter.

Hand washing

Hand washing and keeping clean helps reduce the risk of getting a urine infection.

• You should always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after dealing with your catheter and drainage bags.

• Carers should always wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after dealing with your catheter or drainage bags. They should also wear a new pair of disposable gloves and aprons each time.

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Personal hygiene

Keeping the catheter area clean also helps reduce the risks of infection.

• Wash the area where the catheter enters your body every day with mild soap and water.

• Do not use talc or creams.

• Have a daily shower or bath if possible.

• Do not remove your leg bag when you have a shower or a bath.

• Dry your leg bag by patting it with a clean towel.

If you have a urethral catheter:

• Men should be careful to wash under their foreskin, replacing it afterwards.

• Women should always wash/wipe their bottom from front to back.

If you have a suprapubic catheter:

• The surrounding skin should be cleaned with mild soap and water.

• Avoid pulling or restricting your catheter by wearing comfortable clothes (not tight fitting).

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Changing your leg bag correctly This will also help reduce the risk of urine infections.

• Change your leg bag every seven days or if it gets dirty or damaged.

• When changing your leg bag, do not touch the tip of the tube which gets pushed into the catheter.

Secure and support your catheter and drainage bags

This will reduce the risk of pulling and causing harm to your body and bladder.

• Secure the catheter to your leg or tummy with a securing device (speak to your nurse if you do not have a securing device)

• Support your leg bag with either elastic straps or a stretchy sleeve. This should be in a comfortable position on against your thigh, knee or calf area.

Emptying your leg bag

• Do not let your leg bag get too full as the weight will pull downwards and may cause harm.

• Empty your bag when it is two thirds full.

• Empty your bag into a clean toilet, jug or urinal.

• Close the tap and wipe with a dry tissue.

• Wash and dry your hands.

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Connecting your night bag correctly

A night bag is a larger bag that attaches to the tap of your leg bag to allow urine drainage overnight. Try not to touch the tip of the urine bag when connecting the two, and use a new night bag every night.

• Connect the two bags together as shown in the diagram.

• Ensure you open the tap of your leg bag to allow the urine to flow.

• Support your night bag with a floor stand or a bed bag hanger, ensuring the bag is off the floor.

Your drainage bag should always be positioned below the level of your bladder to help urine drain.

Fluids Drinking is very important when you have a catheter as it may help reduce the risk of infection and flush out any debris in your bladder which may avoid your catheter becoming blocked.

• Urine should be clear or light yellow in colour. If it is orange/dark brown/murky you may need to drink more fluids.

• Drink 1.5 – 2 litres of fluid (6-8 mugs) a day unless you have been advised otherwise by your healthcare professional. Aim to keep your urine pale yellow in colour. If it is dark in colour drink at least one extra mug.

Drinking alcohol will not affect your catheter. However, if you are taking certain medicines or recovering from surgery, your doctor may advise against it.

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Bowels If you are constipated the bowel can be too full and can press on your bladder, reducing urine drainage and may block your catheter.

• Eating a healthy well balanced diet of fruit, vegetable and fibre will help avoid constipation.

• Speak to your nurse or doctor if you suffer from regular constipation.

Storage of catheters and catheter products • Store your products in a clean, cool and dry place out of direct

sunlight in their original packaging.

• Dispose of products if they are passed their expiry date or if the packaging has been damaged.

Disposal of catheters and catheter products • Please ensure you carefully empty the catheter bag of urine

down the toilet before disposal of the bag into the normal household waste.

• Place used products into two plastic bags before putting them into your household waste bin.

• If you have an infection ask your nurse for advice as you may need to use a special bin.

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Possible problems – what to do if

Please note: your catheter can safely remain in place for up to 3 months if you are not experiencing any of the following;

Your catheter is not draining

• Ensure the drainage bag is below the level of the bladder.

• Check your catheter tube is not kinked or squashed.

• If possible try changing position or walking about.

• Check the drainage bag which may be full and need emptying.

• If it is still not draining contact your nurse.

Your catheter is leaking where it enters your body

• Check your catheter tube is not kinked or squashed.

• If possible try changing position or walking about.

• If leaking is an on-going problem contact your nurse.

Your catheter gets pulled out or falls out

• Contact your nurse as soon as possible.

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If you feel unusually unwell and have any of the following contact your nurse or doctor.

• A fever or chills.

• New pain near your bladder or lower back;

• Unusual confusion; worsening of mental or functional status;

• Unusual tiredness;

• Feeling like you want to vomit or you are vomiting; or

• New or increased burning pain on passing urine, sensation of frequency /urgency to pass urine

Activity/Exercise Having a urinary catheter in place should not restrict your daily activities. Gentle exercise is fine. Discuss with your nurse any related concerns.

For further information on the following contact your nurse

• Trial without your catheter

• Using a catheter valve (a discreet product to use instead of a leg bag)

• Intermittent self-catheterisation (using a special type of catheter to drain urine from your bladder)

• Sex and catheters.

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First contact information Name of Consultant managing your care:

..........................…………………………………………………..

Discharging Ward/Department:

……………………………………………………………………...

Hospital:

.…………………………………………………………………......

Contact numbers for advice:

Ward contact: ……………………………………………………..

District Nurses contact: ……………………………………….....

Urology Team

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

0344 811 8111

www.northumbria-healthcare.nhs.uk

Infection Prevention and Control Team

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

0344 811 8111

www.northumbria-healthcare.nhs.uk

Images used with permission from © 2019 BD and Coloplast Ltd.

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Notes

PIN 897/V1

Review date: August 2022