Catheter care: Information for patients

What is a catheter?

A urinary catheter is a flexible tube used to drain urine from your bladder when you’re unable to pass urine normally. It may be inserted through the urethra (a urethral catheter) or directly into the bladder through a small opening in your abdomen (a suprapubic catheter).

Why do I need a catheter?

Catheters may be used for various reasons, such as:

• Difficulty emptying the bladder
• Following certain surgeries
• Long-term health conditions affecting bladder control

Your practitioner will explain why it’s needed and how long it may be required.

Looking after your catheter

Proper catheter care is essential to help prevent infections and other complications. You will be set up with a delivery service to enable you to order your own catheter supplies.

Daily hygiene

• Wash your hands with soap and water before and after touching your catheter or drainage bag.
• Clean the area where the catheter enters your body at least once a day using warm water.
• Use non-touch technique when changing leg bag or flip flow.
• Keep the area dry and check for signs of redness, swelling, or discharge, please use a mirror to help if needed.

Drainage bag care

• Always keep the drainage bag below the level of your bladder to prevent backflow.
• Empty the bag regularly, usually when it is two-thirds full.
• Do not let the bag touch the floor.
• Use a leg strap or secure it to your clothing & make sure to alternate the side you attach your strap to avoid pulling.

Night-time care

• You may be given a larger drainage bag to use overnight.
• Ensure tubing is not kinked and urine flows freely into the bag

Avoiding infections

• Drink plenty of fluids (unless advised otherwise by your doctor).
• Do not disconnect the catheter unnecessarily.
• Avoid using talcum powder, creams, or antiseptics around the insertion site unless advised.
• Do not tug or pull on the catheter.

When to seek medical advice

Contact your nurse, GP or healthcare provider if you notice:

• Fever or chills
• Blood-stained
• Confusion
• Pain or discomfort in your lower abdomen or back
• Leaking around the catheter
• A blocked or non-draining catheter

If you are started on antibiotics for a catheter acquired urinary tract infection, you will need your catheter changing 48 hours after starting antibiotics, so please contact the neighbourhood teams for a nursing review:

Follow-up and support

Your practitioner will guide you on how long the catheter will be in place and when it may need changing.

If you have any questions or concerns about your catheter, don’t hesitate to speak to your nurse or doctor.