Catheter care at home: daily care and warning signs

1. Know which catheter and drainage system is in place

An indwelling catheter stays in the bladder and drains through a tube. It may enter through the urethra or through a small opening in the lower abdomen called a suprapubic catheter. An intermittent catheter is inserted to drain the bladder and then removed; the person or a trained helper may use it at planned times. Ask the nurse to write down the type, insertion date, planned review or change, and whether a valve or bag is intended. Do not change the catheter or its schedule unless the clinical team has shown you how and asked you to do so.

2. Build a simple hygiene and bag routine

Wash hands before and after touching the catheter or bag. Follow the nurse’s instructions for washing the skin around where the tube enters, using ordinary gentle washing rather than strong antiseptics unless specifically advised. Keep the drainage bag below bladder level and off the floor; check the tube is not kinked, pulled tight or trapped under clothing. Empty a reusable bag through its outlet into the toilet without letting the tap touch the bowl, then close it securely. Ask the nurse whether and when the bag should be changed; avoid disconnecting the system more often than necessary.

3. Use leg and night bags comfortably

A leg bag is worn discreetly under clothing and held in place with the straps or sleeve provided. It should not pull on the catheter, and the person should be able to reach the outlet to empty it. At bedtime, the nurse may recommend connecting a larger night bag to the leg bag or catheter valve; ask how to connect it without contaminating the connection and how to position it in a stand below the bladder. Some people use a valve instead of a bag. Clothing can be adapted around comfort and access, but do not tuck the bag above the bladder or leave it resting on the floor.

4. Arrange supplies and nursing support before they run low

The catheter or continence nurse, GP practice or discharge team should explain how to obtain bags, valves, straps and other prescribed items. Ask whether the prescription comes from the GP, hospital team or community service, whether a delivery service is used, and how much warning is needed before reordering. Keep a small reserve so a delayed delivery does not become an emergency, but do not stockpile equipment that may expire or be changed. A district nurse or continence service can review fit, skin soreness, leakage, catheter changes and technique. Ask for a home visit if mobility, eyesight or dexterity makes travel difficult.

5. Reduce avoidable blockage and infection problems

Follow the individual drinking plan: some people have fluid restrictions for heart or kidney conditions, so generic advice to drink more may be unsafe. Regular bowel habits matter because constipation can worsen leakage or drainage difficulty; ask a clinician about a safe plan. Keep the system closed and the tube free from bends. Cloudy or strong-smelling urine alone does not prove infection, and routine antibiotics are not a substitute for clinical assessment. Contact the catheter team or GP for new burning, lower abdominal or back pain, blood, worsening leakage, or feeling feverish or unwell. When your practice is closed, use NHS 111 where available or the local GP out-of-hours service in Northern Ireland.

6. Know what to do if urine stops draining

First check that the bag is below the bladder, the tubing is not kinked or compressed, and the outlet is closed only if the system uses a valve. Do not pull the catheter, insert anything into it, or flush it unless a trained clinician has given you a specific plan. The NHS says: “Contact your community nurse immediately if:” “your catheter is blocked, or urine is leaking around the edges”. “If you're unable to contact your community nurse, call 111.”

Common questions