Those that have been fitted with an indwelling urinary catheter – which essentially means it is there for long term use – need to take particular care of the device – which are classified as medical supplies – in order to ensure it continues functioning correctly and does not result in other health complications such as infections. Here we offer some practical tips for caring for your indwelling urinary catheter.

DAILY MONITORING

The indwelling urinary catheter need to be checked on a daily basis to ensure that the urine is still flowing into the drainage bag as intended. Warnings signs to watch out for which could indicate that the device is not functioning correctly include signs of inflammation and infection close to the insertion site, or the drainage site close by to the catheter. Irritated, red or otherwise swollen sign is often a sign that all is not as it should be. Make sure that the drainage bag is kept below the level of your bladder and that it is not pulling or otherwise dragging on the catheter. Whenever you have handled or are going to handle the catheter, ensure that you have washed your hands thoroughly before prior and following doing so.

It is important to maintain your body fluids when you are using a catheter, so be sure to drink a lot of water, preferably around eight glasses per day, as well as other liquids such as fresh fruit juice. You should not have or even attempt to have sexual intercourse whilst fitted with an indwelling urinary catheter.

USING THE BAG

The urine bag needs to be collected and drained at regular intervals, preferably before it even reaches the halfway mark and certainly before you retire to bed for the night. The bag needs to be unfastened from the tubing, then fix the tubing clamp and take off the drain cap. Once the urine has been disposed of – ensuring that you do not touch the drainage cap or the tube, as it needs to remain completely sanitary – replace the cap, close the clamp and fix the tube back to the bag.

WARNING SIGNS

You may need to seek out medical attention should any of the following things happen: The bag collects little or even no urine in a four hour time period, you feel any pain in your abdomen, back, legs or pelvis, or you notice oddities in your urine such as blood, clotting, cloudiness, or changes in it’s color, consistency or smell.