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What is a Foley catheter?
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A Foley catheter is a small tube that is placed into your bladder to drain out urine. One end of the tube, which is inside your bladder, has a small inflated balloon while the other end, which is outside the body, is connected to a bag that collects the urine.
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How does it work?
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Your nurse or caregiver inserts the Foley catheter using sterile techniques. When the Foley is in your bladder, the nurse or caregiver will blow up the balloon on the end with sterile water. This balloon fits in snugly at the bladder neck and keeps the catheter securely in place. At the tip of the Foley, there is a small hole that allows the urine to drain.
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Who needs to have a Foley catheter inserted?
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Reason to have a Foley catheter may include: - Pain medicine through a tube in your back (epidural)
- Surgery
- Injury to any part of the urinary tract
- Bedrest
- A way to keep track of your exact urine output
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What are the lumens for?
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Lumen simply means 'tube'. In a Foley catheter there are two lumens - one to drain the urine and the other for the balloon.
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What is the balloon for?
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The balloon at the tip of the catheter is used to keep the tube secure when inside the urinary bladder. Once the catheter is inserted into the bladder, the balloon is inflated. The inflated balloon snugs up against the neck of the urethra and keeps the tube from sliding out.
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How do I know that the catheter is inserted into the right place?
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There are a couple of basic clues which will tell you that everything is fine with the catheter: - The catheter has gone in smoothly.
- Urine starts draining through the tube.
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When can I inflate the balloon?
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Once the tube has been placed inside the bladder, you’re almost ready to inflate the balloon.
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How should I care for it daily?
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The site should be cleaned with soap and water daily. Keeping the area clean will help prevent infections.
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How long will I have it in?
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If you have an epidural for pain control, the Foley will be taken out after the epidural is turned off. In other case, trauma to the urinary tract may cause you to have a Foley for a longer time, to allow your urinary tract to heal.
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What happens when the Foley comes out?
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This is simple and quick. The nurse simply removes the 10ml of water that is holding the Foley in place. Then, the Foley slides right out. The nurse will give you 6 hours to void on your own. If that doesn’t happen, your bladder will be scanned. From there, your doctor will decide what to do.
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What is a closed drainage system for Foley catheter?
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A closed drainage system consists of your Foley catheter and a sterile urine drainage bag attached to the catheter. This forms a pathway that goes from the tip of the catheter inside your bladder to the urine bag.
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What is a Foley catheter-based infection and how do you get it?
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Foley catheter-based infections are common and can lead to serious illness and death. An infection can be caused by bacteria or germs that get inside the catheter or tubing when the drainage system is opened. This can happen when a urine bag is changed or a urine sample is collected. You can also get an infection if the catheter equipment is not cleaned well or if you do not wash your hands.
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How can I prevent myself from catheter-based infections?
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- Adults should drink about 9 to 13 cups of liquid each day. One cup is 8 ounces. Good choices of liquids for most people include water, juice and milk. Coffee, soup and fruit may be counted in your daily liquid amount.
- Always wash your hands with soap and water before and after you touch your catheter, tubing or drainage bag.
- Keep the catheter drainage system closed and do not disconnect any part of the closed system unless it is necessary, such as when changing the bag.
- Use medical tape or a strap to secure the catheter tube to your body to ensure that it drains well and helps prevent bladder spasms or painful cramps.
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What will happen if the balloon is not inflated properly?
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If the catheter balloon is not inflated properly, it can lead to drainage and deflation difficulties. Hence, the caregiver must ensure that the balloon is inflated with the correct volume of sterile water, as prescribed on the package. If it is a 5cc balloon, then it must be inflated with between 9cc and 10cc of water.
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