Patient education: Urinary catheter placement (The Basics)

What is a urinary catheter? — A urinary catheter is a thin, flexible tube that drains urine from the bladder. One end of the catheter is inserted through the "urethra" (the opening where the urine comes out of the body) and into the bladder. A small "balloon" filled with sterile water holds it in place. The other end of the catheter connects to a special bag outside of the body (figure 1). The bag holds the urine until you empty it.

In some cases, like if you are recovering from surgery, you might need to have a catheter for a short time. You might also need a catheter if your bladder isn't working properly or if you have a large prostate that prevents you from urinating normally. Having a urinary catheter can help the staff better keep track of how much urine your body makes.

Sometimes, a catheter is used for a long time. If so, you will need to get a new catheter every few weeks.

Having a catheter increases the risk of urinary tract infections. There are things you can do when caring for the catheter to lower this risk.

How do I prepare for a urinary catheter? — Most of the time, you do not need to do anything special to prepare for a urinary catheter. A doctor or nurse can insert a urinary catheter while you are in a bed, a treatment room, or an operating room.

Ask the doctor or nurse if you have questions or if there is anything you do not understand.

What happens during urinary catheter placement? — When it is time for the catheter to be inserted:

●You will lie on your back.

●The staff will clean your genital area with a special soap. The soap helps prevent infection.

●They will cover the tip of the catheter with a "lubricant" gel. This helps it slide in more easily. Then, they will place the catheter into your urethra. They will gently push the catheter in until urine comes out of the other end.

●Once the catheter is in the right place, the staff will fill the balloon inside your bladder with a small amount of sterile water. This helps hold the catheter in place.

●The catheter will be attached to a drain bag. It might be strapped or taped to your leg, or it can hang on the frame of your bed.

●The procedure takes about 10 minutes.

What happens after urinary catheter placement? — After the catheter is in, your urine will automatically flow into the drainage bag. While you are in the hospital, the doctors and nurses will check each day to see if you still need the catheter.

The staff will also:

●Clean the area around your catheter each day with soap and water – This can help prevent germs from getting into your bladder.

●Empty the urine from the drainage bag as needed

If you are going home with a catheter still in, the staff will teach you how to care for it. They will also teach you how to empty and change the bag.

What are the risks of a urinary catheter? — Your doctor will talk to you about all of the possible risks and answer your questions. Possible risks include:

●Bladder infection

●Blood in your urine

●Urine flow stopping or getting blocked – This can happen if there are kinks or bends in the tubing, or if the drainage bag is higher than your bladder.

●The catheter falling out

What else should I know?

●Always keep the drainage bag lower than your bladder.

●Do not let the tubing kink or bend.

More on this topic

Patient education: How to use a catheter to empty the bladder (The Basics)
Patient education: How to care for a urinary catheter (The Basics)
Patient education: Asymptomatic bacteriuria (The Basics)
Patient education: Neurogenic bladder in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Paraplegia and quadriplegia (The Basics)
Patient education: How to remove a urinary catheter (The Basics)