Discharge Instructions: Caring for Your Indwelling Urinary Catheter

You have been discharged with an indwelling urinary catheter (also called a Foley catheter). A catheter is a thin, flexible tube. An indwelling urinary catheter has two parts. The first part is a tube that drains urine from your bladder. The second part is a bag or other device that collects the urine.

The most important thing to remember is that you want to prevent infection. Always wash your hands before handling your catheter bag or tubing.

Draining the bedside bag

• Wash your hands with soap and clean, running water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

• Hold the drainage tube over a toilet or measuring container.

• Unclamp the tube and let the bag drain.

• Don’t touch the tip of the drainage tube or let it touch the toilet or container.

Cleaning the drainage tube

• When the bag is empty, clean the tip of the drainage tube with an alcohol wipe.

• Clamp the tube.

• Reinsert the tube into the pocket on the drainage bag.

Cleaning your skin and tubing

• Clean the skin near the catheter with soap and water.

• Wash your genital area from front to back.

• Wash the catheter tubing. Always wash the catheter in the direction away from your body.

• You will be told when and how to change your bag and tubing.

• Don’t try to remove the catheter by yourself.

• You may shower with the catheter in place.

Emptying a leg bag

• Wash your hands.

• Remove the stopper on the bag.

• Drain the bag into the toilet or a measuring container. Don’t let the tip of the drainage tube touch anything, including your fingers.

• Clean the tip of the drainage tube with alcohol.

• Replace the stopper.

Follow-up care

Make a follow-up appointment as directed by your healthcare provider