Many people go home from hospital with a urinary catheter, sometimes for a short period and sometimes long term. Good daily care reduces the risk of infection and blockage, and knowing the warning signs helps families act quickly when something is not right.
An indwelling urinary catheter is a thin, flexible tube that drains urine from the bladder into a collection bag. It is usually inserted through the urethra, and is held in place inside the bladder by a small balloon. Some people have a catheter inserted through the lower abdomen instead (a suprapubic catheter); the daily care principles are similar.
Catheters are used for several reasons, including difficulty passing urine, after surgery, or when accurate measurement of urine output is needed. Every catheter increases the risk of urinary infection, so it should remain in place only as long as there is a clear medical reason. Ask the doctor how long the catheter is expected to stay and when it will be reviewed.
Wash hands with soap and water before and after touching the catheter, tubing or bag. Caregivers may use disposable gloves where advised, but hand washing is still needed.
Clean the skin where the catheter enters the body at least once a day, and after a bowel movement, using mild soap and water. Clean away from the entry point, not towards it, and dry gently. Avoid talcum powder and creams around the catheter unless advised. For women, always wipe from front to back.
The catheter tubing should be secured to the thigh (or abdomen) with a strap or holder so that it does not pull on the bladder or urethra. Pulling can cause pain, bleeding and damage. Leave a little slack in the tubing so movement does not create tension.
Unless the doctor has advised a fluid limit, encourage regular drinking through the day, as this helps keep urine flowing and reduces the risk of blockage. Constipation can press on the catheter and bladder and reduce drainage, so encourage fibre, fluids and activity as appropriate, and report ongoing constipation to the doctor.
Some changes are common and not always a sign of infection. Urine in a catheter bag may look slightly cloudy, and there may be small amounts of sediment. Bacteria are commonly found in the urine of people with long-term catheters, even when they are well. For this reason, urine tests and antibiotics are generally only needed when there are symptoms of infection, not simply because the urine looks cloudy.
Mild discomfort may occur, especially in the first days, but ongoing or severe pain is not expected and should be reported.
Catheter insertion, removal and routine changes should be done by a trained nurse or doctor. Never pull on a catheter or try to remove it yourself unless you have been specifically trained and advised to do so — the retaining balloon can cause serious injury if it is still inflated. Sineth Hospitals' home catheter care page describes nursing support available at home.
Seek emergency care if a person with a catheter has:
In Sri Lanka, call 1990 Suwa Seriya for an emergency ambulance, or seek immediate care at an appropriate hospital.
Published by: Sineth Hospitals
Medically reviewed by: Dr. Seneth Gajasinghe, MBBS (Colombo), MD (Colombo), Medical Director, Sineth Hospitals
Last reviewed:
Never pull on a catheter or try to remove or reinsert it yourself unless you have been specifically trained and advised to do so.
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