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Urinary Catherization Procedures

Urinary catheters are tube systems that drain and collect urine from the bladder. Some people need urinary catheters because they have urinary incontinence which is the lack of control to hold urine in the bladder. Others need a urinary catheter because they have urinary retention which is not being able to urinate when you need to. There are different types of catheters for patients to use depending on what their condition is.

  1. Foley Catheters

    • Foley catheters are also known as indwelling catheters because they are actually placed within the bladder and can remain there for a relatively long time if necessary. A tube along with a deflated balloon are pushed up the urethra into the bladder. After the end of the tube and balloon reach the bladder, a small amount of sterile water is pumped into the balloon to inflate it so that it can keep the tube in place. Urine then flows through the tube into a bag which should be emptied daily and routinely cleaned. When the catheter is no longer needed, the procedure to remove it is to simply deflate the balloon and then pull the tube out of the urethra.

    Texas Catheters

    • Also referred to as condom catheters, these catheters are simple devices. A condom-like bag is placed over the penis and is attached to a tube which is attached to a bag. Urine then flows through the tube and into the bag, which should be emptied on a daily basis and routinely cleaned as well. These condoms are usually only used for a short amount of time because of the high risk of urinary tract infection, damage to the penis from the friction of the condom and urethral blockage.

    Intermittent Catheters

    • Intermittent catheters can be inserted and used by the patient themselves or with the help of someone else. When you need to empty your bladder, you or someone else inserts a tube up your urethra to allow for urine flow. First wash your hands and areas around your urethra with soap and water or an antiseptic. Then position the opposite end of the catheter near the ground into a bag or other container so that urine can flow into it. Now lubricate about two inches of the end of the tube with a water-based lubricant. Slowly insert the tube up the urethra into the bladder. If the tube won't go up, do not force it; call your doctor for help. If it does go up smoothly, you will see urine beginning to flow. After you see urine flow, insert the tube up an additional two inches, and don't pull it back out until urine flow has stopped entirely. Now you can take the catheter back out by slowly pulling the tube out. Then the procedure is over, and you can discard the urine in the container. Also make sure to sanitize your hands and catheter when you are done.

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