Why Foley Catheters Have to Be Secured

Foley catheters are used in hospitals, long-term care facilities and some home care settings. Catheters help patients who are recovering from surgical procedures or people suffering from incontinence or injuries that have impaired bladder function. While Foley catheters are useful in such situations, care must be taken to ensure prevention of further injury or infection.

History

• The use of urethral catheters can be traced back to the time of Hippocrates in Greece. These catheters were originally made of bronze, and later were fashioned from gold, silver, copper and even lead. A prototype of the Foley catheter was introduced in Europe in 1853, and the most important innovation of old came in 1873 with the use of rubber tubing. In 1934, the Davol Rubber Company began manufacturing the Foley catheter in the U.S.

Description

• The Foley catheter consists of a long, thin rubber tube that is inserted into the urethra. There is a small inflatable balloon at the tip, which holds the catheter in place inside the bladder. The tube exits the urethra and is attached to a thicker, longer rubber tube outside the body, which is attached to a plastic bag with a capacity of about 1,000 cc. There is a plastic hook on the top of the bag that allows the bag to be attached to a stable object, such as a wheelchair or bed frame.

Function

• The Foley catheter allows urine to pass through a small hole at the end of the tube within the urethra. Strategic placement of the tubing and inflation of the balloon assure adequate urine flow through the tubing to the bag. The catheter uses the force of gravity to empty urine from the bladder into the bag.

Effects

• The Foley catheter must be properly secured to prevent accidental removal from the bladder and urethra. If a Foley is improperly removed from its position, the result can be painful and traumatic, causing tearing of the urethra, bleeding and possibly infection. The hook on the catheter bag is one device used to secure the bag and to allow convenient transport of the bag with the body. In addition, a Velcro strap is secured around the thigh and upper tubing to ensure the tube does not get pulled out or pushed too far into the bladder. The tube should have some slack between the leg band and the entrance of the urethra to provide for normal movement, but excessive slack can cause the tubing to enter the bladder too far, which can lead to discomfort, cold flashes, sweating, bleeding and malfunction of the catheter.

Considerations

• Because the Foley catheter enters a sensitive part of the body while also remaining outside the body, catheters can be a breeding ground for bacteria and other germs that can potentially enter the warm, moist environment inside the bladder. The most common side effect of using Foley catheters is urinary tract infection. Usually the infection can be resolved with antibiotics, but people with permanent Foley catheters are at risk for repeat infections and possible MRSA. To prevent infection, Foley catheters must be cleaned thoroughly each time the bag is emptied or tubing is changed. Additionally, the catheter bag or tubing should never be allowed to come into contact with the ground.