How to Care for a Foley Catheter
A Foley catheter is a soft tube that stays in the bladder to constantly drain urine (pee).
The Foley catheter can be connected to a drainage system or urine bag.
Keeping a Foley Catheter Clean
It is very important to take good care of the Foley catheter, tubing and drainage bag by keeping all parts clean and not letting the bag drag on the floor.
Cleaning the Catheter
Clean the catheter and the skin where it enters the body twice a day—in the morning and in the evening.
- First, wash your hands.
- Use a warm, wet, soapy washcloth to clean the catheter and the skin around it.
- Be careful not to pull on the catheter. Hold the catheter in one hand and clean with the other hand to help prevent pulling on the catheter.
- If there is any dried drainage that does not come off with soap and water, you can use hydrogen peroxide on a cotton ball or gauze pad. Wipe gently on the catheter. Avoid getting the hydrogen peroxide on the skin.
- Rinse the catheter and skin with plain water and pat dry with a clean towel.
Bathing Your Child
- Give your child a sponge bath.
- Tub baths, showers and swimming are not allowed due to the risk of infection.
If There is Damage to the Catheter or Bag
- Check the catheter and the bag daily for any cuts or tears.
- If there are any leaks or damage to the catheter or the bag, you will need to change the catheter and/or the bag.
- An opening anywhere in the catheter or the bag will allow bacteria (germs) to enter. If these reach your child’s bladder, they could get a urinary tract infection.
- Do not put the drainage bag in a plastic bag if it leaks. You should change the bag immediately.
Taking Care of the Drainage Bag
- There are two types of bags, a leg bag and a larger drainage bag, both connect to the catheter.
- The leg bag is smaller and strapped to the leg, allowing for more freedom of movement.
- If the leg bag is worn, empty it at least every two to three hours, or when it becomes 2/3 full.
- If the larger urine drainage bag is used, empty it at least every eight hours, even if it is not full.
How to Empty the Bag
- Wash your hands.
- Protect the end of the drainage spout. Do not touch the spout with your hands. This helps prevent germs from getting into the bag, which could lead to an infection.
- Hold the drainage spout over the toilet or measuring container. Do not let the end of the spout touch the container that is being used
- Open the cap to the drainage spout to drain the urine. Be sure to drain all of the urine out of the bag.
- Close the drainage spout and clean it with an alcohol or antibacterial wipe.
- Wash your hands again.
How to Change the Drainage Bag
- Wash your hands.
- Clean the area around where the tubing connects to the catheter with alcohol or Betadine.
- Fold the catheter over on itself to prevent urine leakage from the catheter when you disconnect the bag from the catheter.
- Pull the bag tubing out of the catheter.
- Be careful not to touch the end of the new tubing
- Connect the new bag tubing to the catheter.
- Cover the end of the removed tubing with sterile gauze or a cap to keep it clean, or throw it away if the bag is damaged.
Call Your Child's Doctor If:
- Your child's urine changes color, smells foul, becomes bloody, or the amount of urine output decreases or the flow of urine stops.
- There is urine leakage around the catheter or tubing.
- Your child has pain in their back, sides or belly, has a fever or is vomiting
- You don’t have the supplies to care for the Foley catheter or drainage bag.
Tips
- Keep the drainage system below the level of the bladder so the urine does not back up into the bladder.
- Keep the tubing below the bladder and above the drainage bag.
- Be sure there are no kinks or bends in the tubing. Urine will not drain if this happens.
- Secure the catheter in place on your child’s leg.
- Make sure there is enough slack so that the catheter does not get pulled with movement.
- A catheter securement product works well (for example, flexi-track or universal tubing securement device). Secure the catheter at the bifurcation or Y.
- Change the drainage bag if it becomes dirty, foul smelling or damaged.
- Remind your child to drink lots of fluids. This can help to reduce the risk of getting a urinary tract infection. The urine should be light yellow and clear.
