The Care of Male Indwelling Catheters

A catheter is a flexible tubing, generally made of plastic, that is inserted into an opening in the body to facilitate the removal of fluids. An indwelling catheter refers to any catheter that is inserted into the bladder long-term. The most common is known as a Foley catheter, its purpose is to remove excess fluids from the bladder. Cleaning the indwelling catheter tubing and insertion site will prevent frequent infection to the urinary tract and irritation to the surrounding tissue. The process should be completed a minimum of two times each day or anytime the drainage bag is emptied.

Things You'll Need

• Wash cloth
• Towel
• Soap
• Water

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Instructions

• 1

  Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water. The urinary tract is a natural sterile system. Long-term or frequent use of a catheter exposes the urinary tract to excess levels of bacteria leaving the system vulnerable to bacterial invasion and subsequent infection. Proper hand hygiene will prevent the spread of bacteria and infection.

• 2

  Fill a basin with warm water. You may also use running water from a sink or a bottled saline solution.

• 3

  Apply soap and water to a clean wash cloth. Wipe the area surrounding the insertion point of the catheter, known as the meatus. The male meatus is a narrow, vertical opening located at the tip of the penis. Wipe from the tip of the penis downward. Rinse the area with warm water and pat dry with a clean cloth.

• 4

  Add more soap to the cloth. Wipe the skin of the thighs and buttocks. Make sure no soap is left behind on the skin. Excess soap left behind will break down the surface of the skin leaving it vulnerable to infection. Pat the area dry using gentle pressure.

• 5

  Wash your hands with soap and warm water. If you are using a basin as your water source, empty the basin and refill with fresh, warm water. Apply soap and water to a second wash cloth.

• 6

  Grasp the catheter near the insertion point using one hand to prevent the catheter from becoming dislodged as you are cleaning the tubing.

• 7

  Wipe the catheter tubing beginning at the end nearest to the insertion point working away from the body. Washing the tube toward the body will push bacteria up the tubing toward the body increasing the chance for an infection to occur.

• 8

  Remove any drainage or crust that has accumulated on the tubing or drainage bag.

• 9

  Inspect the tubing looking for any cracks. Cracked or broken tubing should be replaced immediately.

• 10

  Rinse and dry the tubing.

• 11

  Secure the tubing to the abdomen using tape or a commercial securing device. Securing the tubing will prevent the tubing from irritating the skin and becoming dislodged.