Instructions for the Freedom Catheter

The Freedom Catheter is designed for men experiencing urinary incontinence.

The catheter is made by Coloplast and is intended for everyday use. It is offered in latex as well as a latex-free external catheter that is worn like a condom on the outside of the body, as opposed to catheters that involve a tube being placed inside the body and into the bladder. The catheter is connected to tubing that drains into a urine collection bag that is attached to the leg with straps. The Freedom Catheter is designed with a kink-resistant nozzle which increases comfort and decreases urinary backup, which prevents problems with "blow off".

Things You'll Need

• Freedom Catheter
• Tubing designed for use with the Freedom Catheter
• Urine collection bag designed for use with the Freedom Catheter
• Soap and Water
• Towel
• Scissors
• Tape

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Prepare the skin for the catheter by making sure the area is clean and dry. Wash the entire area with warm soapy water, rinse well and dry thoroughly. This is absolutely essential in preventing skin breakdown and slippage of the catheter. The catheter is more secure and works more effectively on skin that is clean and dry.

  The catheter comes with an adhesive. Additional adhesives are not necessary. If slippage is a problem, trim the pubic hair around the penis to increase comfort and make it possible for the catheter to attach to the body correctly and securely. Wash the scissors with soap and water after use.

• 2

  Apply the catheter by rolling it upward on the penis, leaving about two inches between the head of the penis and the end of the condom. The rehab team at the University of Miami recommends uncircumcised males pull the foreskin towards the head of the penis to prevent a tourniquet effect. The catheter must be snug in order to stay in place, but it should not be so snug that it interferes with circulation and causes damage to the skin or penis.

  Catheters come in five different sizes. A correctly fitted catheter is necessary for comfort and proper function.

• 3

  Attach the tubing to the catheter and tape the tubing to the body allowing room for movement.

• 4

  Attach the bag to the tubing and secure the leg straps.

• 5

  Change the catheter daily. The National Institute of Health recommends changing the catheter daily or every other day to prevent urinary tract infections and lessen the chance of skin breakdown. When changing the catheter, rinse the tubing and bag in clear water and soak for 30 minutes in a mixture of 1 oz. of bleach to a quart of water, then rinse and air dry. Two to three times a week, soak all parts that connect to the condom portion of the catheter in a vinegar solution of one quart of water to four parts of vinegar and soak for 6 to 8 hours. Rinse well.