Urinary Catheter Care Instructions

What is a Foley Catheter?

A Foley catheter is a thin, flexible tube inserted through your urethra into your bladder to continuously drain urine. It consists of:

• Catheter tube: Soft, flexible tube that stays in your bladder
• Balloon: Small balloon at the tip inflated inside bladder to hold catheter in place
• External connector: Attaches to drainage bag
• Drainage bag: Collects urine

Why You Have a Catheter

Your doctor placed the catheter for one of these reasons:

• After prostate or bladder surgery - allows healing
• Urinary retention - unable to urinate on your own
• Monitoring urine output
• Bladder rest and decompression
• Protecting surgical site

Duration: Your doctor will tell you how long the catheter needs to stay in (typically 3-14 days after surgery).

Twice Daily Cleaning (Morning & Evening)

Important Don'ts:

• ❌ Don't use harsh soaps or chemicals
• ❌ Don't apply powders, lotions, or creams near catheter
• ❌ Don't pull or tug on catheter
• ❌ Don't try to push catheter further in
• ❌ Don't disconnect catheter from drainage bag yourself

Critical Rules for Drainage Bag

When to Empty the Bag

• Empty when 1/2 to 2/3 full
• At least every 8 hours even if not full
• Before bed if using leg bag during day
• Before long trips or activities

How to Empty the Drainage Bag

1. Wash hands thoroughly
2. Prepare toilet or measuring container
3. Open drainage spout at bottom of bag
4. Do NOT let spout touch toilet or container
5. Let urine drain completely
6. Clean spout with alcohol wipe
7. Close spout securely
8. Wash hands again

Types of Drainage Bags

Tip: Many patients use leg bag during day and switch to overnight bag when going to bed.

Drink 8-10 glasses of water daily while catheter is in place.

Why Hydration Matters:

• Flushes bacteria - reduces infection risk
• Prevents blockage - keeps urine flowing
• Dilutes urine - less irritation to bladder
• Reduces clot formation - especially after surgery
• Speeds healing - well-hydrated tissues heal faster

Tip: Aim for light yellow or clear urine. Dark urine means you need more fluids.

What to Drink:

• ✅ Water (best choice)
• ✅ Diluted juices
• ✅ Herbal teas
• ⚠️ Limit caffeine (coffee, tea, soda) - can irritate bladder
• ⚠️ Limit alcohol - dehydrating and may interact with medications

When and Where

Your catheter will be removed in our office at your scheduled appointment. The timing depends on your procedure:

• After prostate surgery: Typically 5-10 days
• After bladder surgery: Varies by procedure
• For retention: When able to void on your own

What to Expect During Removal

1. Arrive with comfortably full bladder if possible
2. Brief procedure (less than 5 minutes)
3. Balloon deflated with syringe
4. Catheter gently pulled out
5. Brief discomfort as it exits - over in seconds
6. You'll urinate shortly after to test bladder function

After Catheter Removal

• First few urinations: Burning or stinging is normal
• Frequency: Need to urinate more often initially
• Urgency: Sudden strong urges are common
• Small amounts of blood: Normal for 24 hours
• Control: May have some leakage initially - usually improves quickly

Recovery timeline: Bladder control and normal voiding pattern typically return within days to weeks, depending on your procedure.

Provided by Our Office or DME Company:

• Replacement drainage bags (leg bag and overnight bag)
• Catheter securing device or leg straps
• Instruction sheet

Purchase at Pharmacy:

• Alcohol wipes or prep pads
• Mild unscented soap
• Medical tape (if needed for securing)
• Disposable gloves (optional but helpful)
• Antibacterial hand soap

Have at Home:

• Clean towels and washcloths
• Container for measuring urine output (if requested)
• Plastic bag for disposing of used supplies

Problem: Urine Not Draining

Possible causes and solutions:

• Kinked tubing: Check entire length for kinks or twists - straighten carefully
• Bag too high: Lower bag below bladder level
• Clogged catheter: May see debris or blood clots - call office
• Bladder spasm: May temporarily pinch catheter - usually resolves

If no urine for 2+ hours: Call 678-344-8900 immediately

Problem: Urine Leaking Around Catheter

Common causes:

• Bladder spasms: Most common - bladder contracting around catheter
• Catheter blocked: Check for kinks or clogs
• Bag too full: Empty more frequently
• Catheter size: May need different size (call office)

Management:

• Empty bag
• Check for kinks
• If prescribed, take bladder spasm medication
• Small amounts of leakage are often normal
• Call if severe or persistent

Problem: Painful Bladder Spasms

What they feel like: Cramping, pressure, or squeezing sensation in bladder/lower abdomen

Why they happen: Bladder muscle contracting around catheter (trying to expel it)

Management:

• Take prescribed antispasmodic medication (if given)
• Apply heating pad to lower abdomen
• Try to relax and breathe deeply
• Usually improve after first few days
• Call if severe or not controlled by medication

Problem: Strong Odor

Normal causes:

• Concentrated urine (drink more water)
• Certain foods (asparagus, coffee)
• Some medications or vitamins

Concerning if combined with:

• Fever
• Cloudy/murky urine
• Pelvic or back pain
• Feeling generally unwell

Foul odor + fever = possible infection → Call immediately

Securing the Catheter

• Use leg strap or medical tape to secure catheter to inner thigh
• Leave small loop of slack - don't pull tight
• Prevents pulling and discomfort
• Reduces risk of catheter displacement
• Change securing site daily to prevent skin irritation

Clothing Choices

• Wear loose-fitting pants or skirts
• Elastic waist is comfortable
• Longer shirts can help conceal leg bag
• Avoid tight jeans or belts

Sleeping with Catheter

• Switch to large overnight bag before bed
• Hang bag on bed frame below mattress level
• Sleep on back or side (not stomach)
• Keep tubing straight - avoid kinks
• Place towel under you if concerned about leaks

Going Out

• Use leg bag for mobility
• Empty before leaving home
• Know where restrooms are (for emptying bag)
• Carry alcohol wipes
• Wear longer shirt or jacket

Follow these steps to minimize infection risk:

🚨 Call 678-344-8900 Immediately

If your catheter comes out or is pulled out, call our office right away.

What to Do:

1. Don't panic - this can be managed
2. Don't try to reinsert it
3. Note how much balloon water came out (if visible)
4. Try to urinate if you feel the urge
5. Call immediately: 678-344-8900
6. Come to office if instructed (we may need to replace catheter)

After hours: Go to Emergency Room if you cannot reach us and cannot urinate or are in severe pain.

Continue All Prescribed Medications Including:

• Antibiotics: If prescribed, take complete course
• Pain medication: As needed for discomfort
• Bladder antispasmodics: If prescribed (helps with spasms)
• Regular medications: Continue all unless told otherwise

Avoid:

• NSAIDs (ibuprofen, Advil, Aleve) if post-surgery - increases bleeding
• New supplements without checking with doctor
• Alcohol if on pain medications

Advanced Urology: 678-344-8900

Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Don't hesitate to call if you have:

• Questions about catheter care
• Concerns about symptoms
• Problems with drainage bag
• Need for supplies
• Questions about activity restrictions

Better to call with questions than wait and worry. Our nurses are experienced with catheter care and happy to help.