Contact Us
For further information please contact:
Specialist Service for Bladder & Bowel Health
Unit 4
Henry Boot Way
Priory Park
Hull
HU4 7DY
Caring for your urinary catheter
Information for patients
Tel 01482 247111
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
Compliments, comments, concerns or
complaints: we want to hear from you.
PALS and Complaints Department
Humber NHS Foundation Trust
Trust Headquarters
Willerby Hill
Beverley Road
Willerby
HU10 6ED
PALS can be contacted on:
Tel. 01482 303966
Email. [email protected]
Complaints can be contacted on:
Tel. 01482 303930
Email. [email protected]
www.humber.nhs.uk
Publication Date:
Review Date:
March 2016
March 2018
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www.humber.nhs.uk/members
How do I look after my catheter?
About your catheter
Catheters may be required if you are unable to pass urine or empty your
bladder effectively.

Bath or shower daily and wash the area around the catheter using
perfume free soap. Do not use talcum powder or creams around the
catheter tubing.
A catheter is a hollow flexible tube which is designed to drain urine from
the bladder. It is inserted through the urethra (the opening just above the
vagina in women and the opening at the tip of the penis in men) into the
bladder and held in place by a small balloon filled with water. Urine then
drains into a collection bag or through a catheter valve.

Always wash your hands before and after you empty or change your
leg bag/catheter valve.

Empty your leg bag when it is ¾ full. Try not to empty your leg bag
too frequently as this will increase your risk of a urine infection.
Some individuals may have a catheter inserted into the bladder through
a tract made through the abdominal wall. This is known as a Suprapubic catheter.

Change your leg bag or catheter valve on a weekly basis without
touching the sterile connector when you remove the cap. This will
reduce your risk of a urine infection.
Catheters may be temporary, for example after an operation, or you may
need one long term.

Drink plenty fluids, at least 2 litres / 4 pints a day.

Try to maintain a regular bowel movement and avoid constipation.

Wear your leg bag in a comfortable position and prevent any pulling
by securing the leg bag by straps or sleeve and the catheter tubing
by a fixation device.
Your community nurse will explain how to care for your catheter and
how to obtain your catheter equipment.

Night drainage bags should be attached to the stand and not laid on
the floor or in the bed
Your catheter will need to be changed between every 4 to 12 weeks:
this will depend on the type of catheter you have been prescribed. Your
community nurse will discuss this with you and inform you when and
where your catheter will be changed.
Troubleshooting
Ask your community nurse to provide you with a catheter passport. You
should take this with you to any hospital appointments or admissions.
When your catheter has been changed it should be recorded in the
passport.
Your catheter will be reviewed at each change to make sure you still
need it and a plan for permanent removal will be discussed with you, if
appropriate, as the risk of having a catheter in your bladder are:

urinary infections;

bladder stone formation;

trauma;

bleeding;

stricture formation (thickening and narrowing of the urethra).
Poor or non-drainage of urine – ensure the tubing is not twisted or
kinked, make sure you are drinking plenty, check your leg bag is
connected correctly. If blockage persists, contact your community nurse
on ………………………………………………………………………..
Urine bypassing the catheter – this may be due to bladder spasm.
Discuss with your community nurse
Pain or discomfort – check your catheter tubing is not pulling and is
secured correctly. If pain persists contact your community nurse
Urine infections - if you are feeling unwell with a temperature, you have
a burning sensation or your urine is cloudy and ‘smelly’ contact your GP.
Blood in your urine – this may not be something to worry about.
However, if you have a large amount of blood in your urine contact your
GP.