A urinary catheter is a small tube placed in your bladder to drain urine. It is sometimes called a “Foley.” The tube connects to a bag that holds your urine. Catheters help if you have a hard time passing urine. Some people have one for a short time after surgery. The goal is to take this tube out as soon as you do not need it.
When Not to Use a Catheter
Catheters should not be placed for convenience or because you cannot get out of bed or to the bathroom.
Other options include:
Condom catheter
Urinals (female and male)
Toileting schedule
Bedpan/commode
Incontinence pads
Primofit/Purewick
Problems with Urinary Catheters
A catheter can make it hard to get out of bed and move around. If you have a foley, your health care team will work with you to make sure you can get up safely.
Catheters increase your risk of urinary tract infections (UTI). A UTI is when germs grow on the tube and get into your bladder. This leads to infection in your bladder or kidneys. The longer you have a catheter, the more chance for infection. This is true even if the catheter is kept very clean.
The sooner the catheter comes out, the less chance you have of getting a UTI.
Symptoms of a UTI
Symptoms may include:
Burning or pain when urinating.
Pain in the low belly area, lower back, or side of the body.
Strong or frequent urge to urinate.
Passing small amounts of urine often.
Fever or chills.
Testing and Treatment
A sample of your urine is tested to see if you have a UTI. Treatment is based on your symptoms, test results, and medical history. Antibiotics are only used if an infection is confirmed.
How to Prevent Infection
Staff will wash hands before touching the catheter or drainage bag.
Make sure that the catheter is not kinked or bent. It will be attached to one leg to prevent tugging.
Always keep the catheter and drainage bag below the bladder and off the floor.
Keep the catheter and the area around it clean. Do not pull on or touch the catheter.
Remove the catheter as soon as possible. If your plan does not include having a long-term catheter, ask your health care team every day if it can be removed.
You may need help emptying your bladder after a catheter is removed. Your nurse can insert a tube to drain your bladder, then remove it. This greatly lowers your risk of infection.