Taking care of a urinary catheter involves maintaining hygiene, preventing infection, and ensuring proper drainage. Here's a breakdown of the essential steps:
Hygiene and Cleaning
- Wash your hands thoroughly: Always wash your hands with soap and water before and after touching your catheter or drainage bag. This is crucial for preventing the spread of infection.
- Clean the catheter: Clean the catheter tube at least twice a day. Use mild soap and water, gently washing the area where the catheter enters your body and along the length of the exposed tube.
- Use a clean, wet paper towel or washcloth.
- Gently pat the area dry with a clean towel.
- Avoid using harsh soaps or antiseptic solutions: These can irritate the skin around the insertion site.
Drainage Bag Management
- Empty the drainage bag regularly: Empty your collection bag every two to three hours if you are using a smaller leg bag. If you have a larger bedside collection bag, empty it every eight hours, or when it's about half full.
- Keep the drainage bag below your bladder level: This helps prevent urine from flowing back into your bladder, which can increase the risk of infection.
- Avoid kinking or clamping the tubing: Ensure the drainage tube is free of kinks or obstructions to allow for proper urine flow.
- Secure the catheter and tubing: Use tape or a catheter strap to secure the catheter tubing to your leg or abdomen to prevent pulling or accidental dislodgement.
- Nighttime positioning: When you are lying down, position the drainage bag lower than your body, usually hanging it on the side of the bed, ensuring it doesn't touch the floor.
Monitoring and Precautions
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids to help flush out your urinary system and prevent infection.
- Monitor for signs of infection: Be aware of signs of urinary tract infection (UTI), such as:
- Fever
- Chills
- Pain or burning during urination (if you can urinate)
- Cloudy or strong-smelling urine
- Blood in the urine
- Increased lower abdominal or back pain
- Contact your healthcare provider: If you experience any signs of infection, leakage around the catheter, or if the catheter comes out, contact your doctor or nurse immediately. Do not attempt to reinsert the catheter yourself unless you have been specifically trained to do so.
- Bathing/Showering: You can shower or take a sponge bath as usual. Avoid tub baths unless specifically approved by your healthcare provider.
- Constipation: Prevent constipation as straining can put pressure on the catheter. Maintain a diet high in fiber and drink plenty of fluids.
- Leg bag straps: If using a leg bag, rotate the leg the bag is strapped to in order to prevent skin irritation.
Taking proper care of your urinary catheter is essential for preventing complications and maintaining your health. Always follow your healthcare provider's specific instructions.
