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HOW TO EMPTY AND CLEAN YOUR URINARY CATHETER
HOW TO EMPTY AND CLEAN YOUR URINARY CATHETERTRANSCRIPTWhether you will have a urinary catheter for a short time or for a few weeks, there aresteps you can take each day to help make living with a catheter more comfortable foryou. Always follow all of your healthcare provider’s instructions, but here are somegeneral things to keep in mind.Empty your bag regularly, when it is one third to half full and at bedtime. If it gets toofull, urine can flow back into your bladder and can cause infection.To empty your bag, clean your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water. Thishelps prevent infection.Remove the drain spout from its sleeve at the bottom of the drainage bag. Open thevalve on the spout and empty the urine into the toilet. Make sure no part of the spoutor catheter touches the toilet.If you have been told to measure the amount of urine, empty it into a measuringcontainer and write down the amount. Then empty the urine into the toilet.After you empty the bag, close the valve and wipe off any liquid that may still be onthe drain spout. Be very careful not to let the drain spout touch anything. If the draingets dirty, clean it with soap and water or an alcohol swab.Put the drain spout back into its sleeve at the bottom of the bag. Wash your handsthoroughly once again.There are several different kinds of drainage bags. Some are disposable and some youneed to wash on a regular basis. To prevent infection, clean the drainage bag as oftenas directed by your healthcare provider.To do this, wash your hands thoroughly. Change to a new bag. This could be a legbag, usually used in the daytime. Or you can change to a night bag that you wearto20% gradient meshsleep at night. Then, clean the used bag with a solution of 1 part vinegar and 3 partswater. Pour the solution into the tube. Swish the solution around in the bag makingsure to clean it thoroughly. Let it soak for about 20 minutes. Then empty and healthclipsrinse thebag thoroughly. Hang it with the valve open to dry.healthclipsWhen learning to care for your urinary catheter, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Yourhealthcare provider is there to help. Once you do each step a few times, it willhealthclipsbecomeroutine.healthclips4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_qc_10043_98_en_t00002.pdf healthclips© Milner-Fenwick, Inc.5% gradient mesh
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