A urinary catheter drains urine continuously from the bladder through a plastic tube and into a collection bag.  This bag should be emptied as often as needed or at least every twelve hours.  Leg bags should be emptied every 3 to 4 hours.

Gather supplies and put them in a clean space close to the patient.  Before you empty the bag, you will need:

• Gloves
• Container to collect urine
• Alcohol swab

To empty the bag, follow these steps:

1. Put on gloves
2. Remove the drainage tube from its sleeve, and point it into the container.
3. Unclamp the drainage tube. Try not to touch the end of the tube to any surface when emptying the collection bag.
4. Let the urine drain into a container.
5. Reclamp the tube.
6. Clean the tip of the drainage tube with an alcohol swab.
7. Reinsert the tube into the sleeve.

Call your Hospice nurse if you notice:

• Blood or cloudiness in the urine
• Foul odor to the urine
• No urine

Please feel free to call your Suburban Hospice, Inc. team at 833-888-7222. any time for questions or concerns you may have about urinary catheter care.  Your team wants to be responsive to your needs and concerns.