How to connect your night bag
1. Wash hands with soap and water or
use antibacterial gel. Put on protective
gloves if possible.
2. Empty leg bag contents down the toilet.
3. Wipe dry the connector tap with clean
tissue, to prevent this being a source of
infection.
4. Firmly push tube of leg bag into night
bag, ensuring that the tap on the night
bag is in the closed position pointing
downwards.
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5. Open the leg bag tap, ensuring this is
pointing downwards to allow drainage of
urine into the night bag.
6. Check that the tap on the bottom of the
night bag is in closed position pointing
upwards.
Remove protective gloves and wash your hands with soap and water, or use antibacterial
gel.
Always attach a night bag for bedtime. Fasten this to a night bag stand (available from your GP
on prescription). If a night bag stand is not available, place in a clean dry container. Ensure the
night bag is below your body level when in bed. Check the urine is draining into the night bag.
Common problems
Q.
Why is the catheter still draining into the bag but leaking around the catheter?
This could be bladder spasm.
A.
Solution Contact your GP or consultant.
Q.
A.
What is a bladder spasm?
Bladder spasms can be caused by having a foreign object in the bladder i.e. a
catheter. Symptoms can include the urge to pass urine, leakage around the
catheter, cramps in the bladder, pain around the penis or vaginal area.
Solution Contact your GP if you have any of these symptoms.
Q.
Why is the bag is not filling with urine?
The catheter may be blocked, you may be constipated or the tubing may be kinked.
A.
Solution Try and solve the problem, if it persists contact your GP or consultant.
Speak to your GP or consultant if
• you develop acute lower abdominal pain
• the catheter is not draining
• the catheter is blocked and you are unable
• you have a temperature or chills
• you have any leaking around the catheter
• urine is cloudy, smelly and you get a burning
to find a reason
• the catheter falls out
sensation
• blood is shown in the urine
How to detach the night bag and
look after your catheter during the day
1. Wash hands with soap and water or
use antibacterial gel. Put on protective
gloves if possible.
2. Close the leg bag connector tap,
ensuring it is in the upwards position.
Firmly pull apart to detach night bag and
wipe dry the leg bag connector tap with
clean tissue to help prevent this being a
source of infection.
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3. Check that your leg bag is still firmly
secured to your leg.
4. Check that the tube is not kinked and
a G-strap is in place to prevent pulling.
5. Empty the contents of the night bag
down the toilet.
6. Flush the night bag through with clear
cold water.
7. Wipe dry the connector tap with a
clean tissue and clean the sink and taps
to avoid contamination.
8. Remove protective gloves and wash
your hands with soap and water, or use
antibacterial gel.
Store the night bag in clean dry place.
Change the drainage bag every 5 - 7 days depending on the manufacturer’s instructions.
How to help prevent problems
• Ensure you drink 1½ - 2 litres fluid daily (if urine is dark, drink more fluid) and eat a healthy
diet - 5 portions of fruit and vegetables daily to help avoid constipation.
• You can shower or bathe with a catheter inserted. Keep your catheter clean as you would
your own body and clean around the catheter after a bowel movement. Men must pull the
foreskin back, clean behind it and return it to normal position.
• Ensure you dry yourself fully but gently after washing to help avoid soreness.
• Empty the leg bag when it is no more than ⅔ full.
• Always wear a G-strap (these are available on prescription from your GP) and leg bag
straps to support the bag and help avoid trauma by pulling. Contact your District Nurse for
advice, if required.
• Always attach a night bag for bedtime. Fasten this to a night bag stand (available from
your GP on prescription). If a night bag stand is not available, place in a clean dry
container. Ensure the night bag is below your body level when in bed. Check that the urine
is draining into the night bag.
Derby Hospitals’ patient information publications are available at:
www.derbyhospitals.nhs.uk/patient-information-publications
Reference Code: P1284/1114/03.2013/VERSION5 © Copyright 2013 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior permission
in writing from the Patient Information Service, Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.