A Foley catheter is a thin tube that drains urine from the bladder into a bag. It is inserted and changed by a trained doctor or nurse. At home, families mainly look after hygiene and watch for problems.
Key points
- Wash hands before and after touching the tube or bag.
- Keep the bag below the level of the bladder and never on the floor.
- Fever, cloudy or bloody urine, or no urine are signs to call a doctor the same day.
- Never pull out, push in or change the catheter yourself.
Daily care
- Wash your hands before and after touching the tube or bag
- Clean the skin around the tube with mild soap and water once a day and after any stool, wiping away from the body
- Keep the bag below the level of the bladder at all times, and never on the floor
- Secure the tube to the thigh so it does not pull
- Avoid kinks in the tube
- Empty the bag when it is about half full, without letting the spout touch anything
- Keep the system closed, and do not disconnect it unless a nurse tells you to
- Give fluids as advised by the doctor
Warning signs
- No urine for several hours, with a swollen or painful lower belly
- Fever or chills
- Cloudy, foul-smelling or bloody urine
- Leaking around the tube
- Pain in the lower belly or at the tube site
- The tube has come out
Never
- Never pull the catheter out
- Never push it back in or cut it
- Never change it yourself
Changing the catheter
Catheters are changed at intervals decided by the doctor, depending on the type. Do not set your own schedule, and do not wait for blockage or leakage to find out it is overdue. Our nurses provide catheter care at home, including routine checks and changes as advised.
When to call for help
Call your doctor or nurse the same day for any warning sign above. If there is no urine with severe pain, high fever with shivering, or confusion, go to a hospital urgently.
Frequently asked questions
How often is a Foley catheter changed?
It depends on the type of catheter and the doctor’s advice. Do not guess. A nurse or doctor will tell you when the next change is due.
Can a patient with a catheter bathe?
Usually yes, with care, keeping the system closed and the bag below the bladder. Ask the doctor or nurse about your patient.
What should I do if the bag fills quickly or the urine looks dark?
Offer fluids if the doctor has allowed them and tell the doctor or nurse. Dark urine with fever, pain or very little output needs medical review the same day.
Not for emergencies. Home healthcare does not replace emergency hospital care. In a medical emergency, contact emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department.