To care for an indwelling catheter, cleanse the urethral area (where the catheter exits the body) and the catheter itself with soap and water every day. Also thoroughly cleanse the area after all bowel movements to prevent infection.

If you have a suprapubic catheter, the opening in your belly and the tube must be cleansed daily with soap and water, then covered with dry gauze.

Drinking plenty of fluids can help prevent infections. Discuss this issue with your health care provider.

Wash your hands before and after handling the drainage device. Do not allow the outlet valve to touch anything. If the outlet becomes obviously dirty, clean it with soap and water.

Some people have occasional leakage of urine around the catheter. This may be caused by:

• A catheter that is too small
• Bladder spasms
• Constipation
• Improper balloon size
• Urinary tract infections

If bladder spasms occur or there is no urine in the drainage bag, the catheter may be blocked by blood or thick sediment. Or, there may be a kink in the catheter or drainage tubing. Sometimes spasms are caused by the catheter irritating the bladder. Such spasms can be controlled with medication, although most patients eventually adjust to the irritation and the spasms go away. If you have been shown how to irrigate (or flush) the catheter, doing so may help reduce spasms. If you have not been instructed on irrigation, and urine is not flowing into your collection device, contact your health care provider immediately.

POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS

Complications of catheter use include:

• Allergy or sensitivity to latex
• Bladder stones
• Blood infections (septicemia)
• Blood in the urine (hematuria)
• Kidney damage (usually only with long-term, indwelling catheter use)
• Urethral injury
• Urinary tract or kidney infections

Contact your health care provider if you develop or notice:

• Bladder spasms that do not go away
• Bleeding into or around the catheter
• Catheter draining very little or no urine, despite drinking enough fluids
• Fever or chills
• Leakage of large amounts of urine around the catheter
• Skin breakdown around a suprapubic catheter
• Stones or sediment in the urinary catheter or drainage bag
• Swelling of the urethra around the catheter
• Urine with a strong smell, or that is thick or cloudy

If the catheter becomes clogged, painful, or infected it will need to be replaced immediately.

• < Page
1 2 3
• >

Review Date: 09/03/2010
Reviewed By: Jennifer K. Mannheim, ARNP, Medical Staff, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Seattle Children's Hospital; and Scott Miller, MD, Urologist in private practice in Atlanta, Georgia. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)