| CARING
FOR YOUR FOLEY CATHETER |
| |
 |
| “What
you need to know about your temporary urinary drainage
tube” |
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| GENERAL: |
 |
The Foley catheter,
held in place by a balloon inside the bladder, allows
continuous urine drainage into a collection bag. |
|
During the day, you will use
the smaller leg bag that straps around your thigh.
It lets you move around more easily, but it must
be emptied every 3-4 hours, or as needed. |
|
During the night, you will
use the larger, hospital-type bag. It does not need
to be emptied as often. When you get into bed, be
sure to arrange the drainage tubing so it does not
kink or loop. |
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| TO EMPTY THE COLLECTION
BAG: |
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Wash your
hands. |
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Remove the stopper on
the small bag, or open the clamp on the large bag,
and drain the urine. (DO NOT TOUCH THE END OF THE
DRAINAGE SPOUT). |
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Replace the stopper,
or re-clamp the drainage spout. |
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Wash hands. |
|
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| TO CHANGE YOUR
COLLECTION BAG: |
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Wash your hands.
|
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Empty the collection
bag. |
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Carefully (without
pulling on the Foley catheter) disconnect the catheter
from the drainage tube. Connect the catheter and
the new drainage tube. (DO NOT TOUCH THE OPEN END
OF THE CATHETER OR THE DRAINAGE TUBE). |
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Wash hands. |
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| TO CARE FOR
YOUR COLLECTION BAG: |
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Wash gently in
warm (not hot) water. |
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Rinse with a
solution of 1 tablespoon of vinegar in 1 quart of
water. |
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Leaving the drainage
spout open, hang the collection bag to air dry.
|
|
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| TO HELP PREVENT
INFECTION: |
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Wash the area around
the catheter at least twice every day, and as often
as needed to keep the area clean and dry. Use soap
and water. |
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NEVER pull on
your catheter to try to remove it yourself. |
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Apply antibacterial
ointment (ie. Neosporin) to the tip of the penis
where it meet s the catheter three or more times
a day to lubricate the catheter and improve it’s
comfort and reduce the risk of infection while it
is in place |
|
Tape the catheter
or attach the Velcro strap to your thigh for comfort.
|
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Keep the drainage
tubing free of kinks and loops. |
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ALWAYS keep the
collection bag below the level of the bladder. |
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Drink at least
eight (8) large glasses of water every day. |
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| NOTIFY US IMMEDIATELY
IF: |
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Urine stops draining
from your catheter into the drainage bag |
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There are clots in your urine
|
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You experience bladder spasms
that are not relieved with pain medication |
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Temperature over 101 F |
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