How to Care for Your Foley Catheter and Leg Bag at Home

Introduction

• A catheter is a small, flexible tube inserted into the bladder to drain urine continuously after certain types of surgery.
• Keeping the bladder empty helps prevent pressure on nearby organs.
• Duration of catheter usage is determined by the physician.

Learning Objectives

• How to connect, disconnect, and manage the Foley catheter drainage bag and leg bag.
• Good hygiene practices to prevent infection.
• When to call a doctor.

Supplies Provided

• Packet explaining catheter care.
• Extra night drainage bag.
• Leg drainage bag for daytime use.
• Alcohol pads.
• Extra StatLock and/or leg strap.
• Foley clamp.

Steps for Catheter Care at Home

General Instructions

1. Wash Hands: Always wash hands thoroughly before handling the catheter.
2. Emptying the Catheter Bag
   • Empty when the bag is half full.
   • Remove drain port from stopper.
   • Open clamp and empty urine into toilet or collection device.
   • Re-clamp drain port and return it to the stopper without touching the drain port opening.

Using and Emptying the Leg Bag

• Usage: A more discreet option that attaches to the thigh or calf.
• Empty Frequency: Every 3-4 hours or when half full.
• Emptying Process:
  • Position drainage port over toilet or container.
  • Unclamp and drain urine.
  • Clamp when finished.
  • Reattach leg bag with Velcro straps.

Changing from Drainage Bag to Leg Bag

• Clamp the catheter using clamps or a clothespin.
• Disconnect drainage bag carefully.
• Use alcohol wipes to clean connections.
• Connect the leg bag and unclamp the catheter.

Nighttime Instructions

• Change to large drainage bag at night.
• Ensure the bag is below the bladder and free of kinks or loops.
• Do not keep the drainage bag in bed.

Using StatLock

• Helps keep catheter in place, should be changed every 7 days or if loose/soiled.
• Changing StatLock:
  • Gently peel off old StatLock using alcohol wipes.
  • Remove catheter tubing from old StatLock.
  • Apply new StatLock with skin protectant pad, ensuring slack in the tubing.

Cleaning and Hygiene

• Frequency: Wash catheter insertion site, tubing, and genitals twice a day with soap and water.
• Method:
  • Clean insertion site first, then tubing, then genital area from front to back.
  • Keep area around catheter clean to prevent skin irritation or infection.
• Showering: Okay to shower; avoid baths.
• After Bowel Movements: Wipe from front to back.

Important Points to Remember

• Always keep drainage bag below the bladder.
• Ensure catheter tube is free from kinks and loops.
• Secure catheter comfortably to the thigh using StatLock.
• Drink 6-8 glasses of fluid per day.
• Check for signs of infection daily.
• Take prescribed medications as directed.
• Do Not:
  • Pull on the catheter.
  • Keep drainage bags on the floor.
  • Use powder or lotion near the catheter site.
  • Engage in sexual intercourse while the catheter is in place.

When to Call a Doctor

• Feeling bloated, full, or pain in the lower abdomen with no urine output.
• Urine leakage around the catheter (normal if post-prostate surgery).
• Little to no urine flow into drainage bag.
• Blood or clots in urine (normal if post-prostate surgery for 6-8 weeks).
• Fever of 100.4°F or greater.
• Cloudy urine, odor, or presence of pus.
• Catheter accidentally pulled out or out of place.

Conclusion

• For any concerns or questions, contact the patient care hotline at 813-7458, available 24/7.