Catheter Passport

Important information to help you care for your urinary catheter.

This booklet is designed to help you care for your catheter while in hospital and at home, and includes a catheter record section, which will be complete by healthcare professionals involved in your catheter care.

Reason for Initial Catheterisation

Please document reason for initial catheterisation.

Haematuria – clots and heavy

Obstruction – mechanical urology

Urology/gynaecology/perianal surgery/prolonged surgery

Decubitus ulcer – to assist the healing of a perianal/sacral wound in an incontinent patient

Input output monitoring accurate < hourly or acute kidney injury when oliguric

Nursing at the end of life

Immobilisation due to unstable fracture/spinal injury or neurological deficit (where all other methods of toileting are contraindicated)

(O) – Other

Discharge Checklist

• Contact locality community nursing team to refer patient for catheter management
• Catheter passport – Go through supporting education literature with patient/carer and fill in relevant catheter information in acute section of the passport booklet.
• Prosys Hospital to home pack
• Patient choice- discuss home delivery or pharmacy as an option (refer to whichever is chosen)
• Consent– gain consent from patient to share personal information with relevant teams
• Patient must have a long-term catheter in for discharge. NOT TO BE DISCHARGED HOME WITH SHORT TERM CATHETER IN PLACE
• Add catheter, and equipment needed to discharge prescription

You will need

• Registration by telephone or email
• Healthcare Professional details
• Patient Name
• Patient date of birth
• Patient home address
• GP name and address

What is a urinary catheter?

An indwelling urinary catheter is a soft flexible hollow tube used to drain urine from the bladder.

Once in place a small balloon at the catheter tip is inflated to stop the catheter falling out. A drainage bag or valve is then attached. Never remove a catheter yourself unless you have been taught by a health care professional.

The catheter is inserted into the urethra (the opening of which is situated at the tip of the penis or just above the vagina) or through a hole made in the abdomen (suprapubic catheter). The catheter is then guided into the bladder, allowing urine to flow through it and into a drainage system, either a bag which will be attached to your leg or a valve with open and close system to allow self-drainage.

Why have I got a catheter?

The most common reason to have a catheter at home is because you are unable to pass urine normally. If you have not been told why you have a catheter, please ask.

What should I do if I have pain and discomfort?

Lower abdominal or tummy pain can be experienced when a catheter is first inserted but should pass. Check that your drainage bag is not pulling on your catheter and that it is adequately supported. If this continues, contact your nurse for advice. Pain in the lower abdomen or back (with or without a fever) could indicate urinary tract infection. Seek advice from your doctor.

When will my catheter need changing?

Your nurse will advise you on how often and when your catheter needs changing and how to obtain further supplies of catheter equipment.

How do I look after my catheter?

• Empty the leg bag when it is approximately 1/2 – 2/3 full of urine
• Replace the leg bag or valve once a week- wash hands, open pack and apply gloves provided. Remove the current bag/valve and apply new system without touching the tip for the bag/valve.
• To help prevent infection, only disconnect the leg bag or valve weekly.
• Keep your leg and night bag below the level of your bladder to prevent back flow of urine.
• Attach a 2 litre night bag to the leg bag or valve every night, to prevent having to empty the bag overnight. Remember to open the valve from your leg bag or valve, which is connected to the night bag.
• Close the bag or catheter valve and remove the night bag every morning and dispose of it in household waste.
• If you have a valve attached to your catheter instead of a leg bag, you should open the valve and empty your bladder:
  • When you feel that it is full
  • Before you go to bed
  • First thing in the morning
  • During the night if necessary
  • At least every 3-4 hours during the day
  • Before opening your bowels
• Avoid constipation as this can interfere with the catheter function.
• If you have a suprapubic catheter and there is a small leakage around the insertion site, you will have a dressing for the first few days until the leakage has stopped. The area can be washed when the dressing has been removed.

What Your Catheter Might Look Like

Depending on the material the catheter is made from they can remain in place for up to 28 days (a short-term catheter) or up to 12 weeks (a long-term catheter). The nursing staff will inform you which type of catheter you have, and how long it can remain before needing to be changed or removed. You should not be discharged home with a short-term catheter in place.

A securing device should also be used- for example a G-strap.

How can I reduce the risk of infection?

• It is essential that the highest standard of hygiene is always maintained.
• Wash your hands before and after touching your catheter or drainage bag.
• Wash the skin in the areas where the catheter enters the body, at least 3 times a day and after a bowel movement, with non-perfumed soap and water.
• Men should carefully wash under the foreskin (unless you have been circumcised). Dry the area thoroughly and ensure the foreskin is replaced over the end of the penis.
• Women should always wash the genital area from front to back to prevent contamination from the rectum. Dry the area thoroughly.
• Avoid use of talc, antiseptic, bubble bath, bath salts or creams, unless prescribed. These can cause irritation.
• Do not remove your leg bag or valve when you have a bath or shower.

What should my urine look like?

What colour is your urine?

• Urine should be a light yellow colour. If it is orange /dark brown, you may not be drinking enough fluids.
• You should drink at least 2 litres/ 3.5 pints/ 10 mugs of fluid in 45 hours when you have a catheter in place.
• Avoid caffeine as this may irritate the bladder. There is caffeine in tea, coffee, cola, some herbal teas, energy drinks and drinking chocolate. Try decaffeinated drinks.
• Some medications and foods may cause discolouration of urine.
• If you urine is blood stained or has specks of blood in it, contact your Nurse.
• If you are passing bright red blood you should contact you Doctor or 111

What should I do if my catheter is not draining?

• Check the drainage bag is below the level of the bladder, particularly when sitting in a low chair.
• Make sure that the tubing is not kinked, twisted, or restricted by tight clothing.
• Make sure that the tubing is not pulled tight or stretched as this may restrict urine flow.
• Check that the drainage bag is connected correctly. Make sure that the straps, which secure the bag to your leg are positioned behind the leg bag tube.
• Urine will not drain if the bag is full. Empty the bag when it is approximately1/2- 2/3 full.
• Constipation can prevent your catheter from draining. It is recommended to eat 5 portions of fruit or vegetables per day to promote health and maintain a healthy bowel.
• Change position, take regular exercise and ensure the catheter is well supported with securing devices. Walking encourages better drainage and dislodges any debris in the catheter.
• Make sure that you are drinking enough fluid.

What should I do if my catheter is leaking?

• If you experience any urine leakage this may be due to bladder spasms, or urinary leakage via the urethra is quite common if you have a suprapubic catheter in place. Please contact your nurse if this is happening.
• Check that your catheter is draining well at regular intervals throughout the day.
• Make sure your leg bag or valve is open when connecting night bag 

When should I ask for help?

Your catheter should remain comfortable and pain free.

However, you should ask for help when:

• You experience acute lower abdominal or tummy pain.
• The catheter has fallen out and you are unable to pass urine.
• The catheter falls out and you can pass urine, contact your nurse for advice.
• There is blood in your urine.
• Urine is cloudy, smelly or you have a burning sensation, which does not improve after drinking fluids.
• Urine is leaking around the catheter, enough to make your clothing wet.
• If you have a suprapubic catheter and the site becomes irritated, swollen, red or tender.
• You have a fever, develop nausea, vomiting or feel unwell.

How do I dispose of used catheter bags?

• Empty the content into the toilet
• Double wrap the bag (either in newspaper or a plastic bag)
• Place into your household waste bin. The bags are not recyclable.
• The bags should not be burned on an open fire or electric incinerator.

What about sex?

Sexual intercourse is possible with a urinary catheter. The genital area would need to be washed before and after sexual intercourse. Men can apply a condom to help keen the catheter in place. If you need further advice on this, please speak with your nurse.

Storage of catheter equipment

It is important to keep an emergency stock of catheter equipment at home so that you are prepared if you encounter any problems. Please ask the nurse what stock is needed.

• Store any catheter equipment in their original packaging; in a dry, safe place away from direct sunlight and heat.

Going on Holiday?

• Make sure you have a spare catheter, and enough catheter leg bags/or valves to take with you to cover the holiday period.
• If you are travelling by plane, it is a good idea to pack some of your products and equipment in a bag to take on the plane as well as in your suitcase, in case you case was to get lost.
• Take your catheter passport.

Catheterisation records

All details of urinary catheterisation should be recorded in the appropriate sections as well as the appropriate nursing/medical records.

Completion of the booklet will enhance continuity of care for the patient between both community and hospital settings.

Community Documentation

Quick Reference Catheter Formulary

All Silicone Long Term Catheters (SAFETY ALERT – female catheters never to be used for males)

Tiemann tip All Silicone Long Tern Catheter

Open Ended Catheters (for frequent blocking)

Urinary Catheterisation Gel

Cleansing Solution

Leg bag

Non-Sterile Night Drainage bag

Catheter Strap

Catheter Valve (following risk assessment)

Catheter Maintenance (start ONLY if instructed by Urology, to be reviewed following flowchart)

Bladder Infusion Kit (order if having catheter maintenance more than weekly to avoid bag change)

Useful contacts

Locality Community Nursing Teams

Central Locality

0191 445 5114

West Locality

0191 283 4599

Inner West Locality

0191 283 4619

South Locality

0191 445 3021

East Locality

0191 440 3872

Rapid Response 24/7 Service

0191 445 8400

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust

Urology Department

0191 445 2217

Bladder and Bowel Service

0191 445 8417