Procedural Guidelines for Providing Catheter Care

1. Perform hand hygiene.

2. Provide for the patient’s privacy by drawing the bedside curtain or closing the door.
3. Introduce yourself to the patient and family, if present.
4. Identify the patient using two identifiers, such as name and date of birth or name and
account number, according to agency policy. Compare these identifiers with the
information on the patient’s identification bracelet.
5. Explain the procedure to the patient. Organize the equipment needed for perineal
care.
6. Raise the bed to an appropriate working height. If the side rails are raised, lower the
rail on your side.
7. Apply gloves, and position a waterproof pad under the patient’s buttocks. Then cover
the patient with a bath blanket, making sure that only the catheter and the genital
area are exposed.
A. Position a female patient in the dorsal recumbent position.

B. Position a male patient in the supine position.

8. Remove the catheter from the securing device while maintaining the connection with
the drainage tubing.
9. Examine the skin around the securing device for irritation.
10. When providing female catheter care, use your nondominant hand to gently separate
the labia to fully expose the urethral meatus and catheter. Maintain this hand position
throughout the procedure.
11. When providing male catheter care, use your nondominant hand to retract the
foreskin, if the patient has not been circumcised, and hold the shaft of the penis just
below the glans. Maintain this hand position throughout the procedure.
12. Assess the urethral meatus and surrounding tissues for inflammation, swelling,
discharge, or tissue trauma, and ask if the patient has any burning or discomfort.
13. Grasp the catheter with two fingers of your nondominant hand to stabilize it.
14. Provide perineal hygiene using mild soap and warm water. Accidental closing of the
labia or dropping of the penis during catheter care requires the procedure to be
repeated.
15. Using a clean washcloth, cleanse the catheter as follows:
 A. Starting close to the urinary meatus, cleanse the catheter in a circular motion along
its length for about 10 cm (4 inches), moving away from the body. Remove all traces
of soap. For male patients: Replace or reposition the foreskin after care. Avoid
pulling the catheter tubing.

B. Reapply the catheter to the securing device just below the catheter bifurcation. Allow
enough slack so that the patient can move without creating tension on the catheter.

16. Make sure the catheter has been secured to the patient’s upper thigh (female patient)
or abdomen (male patient). The tubing should be coiled and secured onto the bed
linen, and not looped, kinked, or clamped.
17. Check to make sure that the drainage bag has been positioned below the level of the
patient’s bladder, with urine flowing freely into the bag. Also make sure that the
drainage bag is not full. Empty the drainage bag when it is half-full.
18. Dispose of all contaminated supplies in the appropriate receptacles, remove your
gloves, and perform hand hygiene.
19. Help the patient into a comfortable position, and place personal items within reach.
20. Place the call light within easy reach, and make sure the patient knows how to use it
to summon assistance.
21. To ensure the patient’s safety, raise the appropriate number of side rails and lower
the bed to the lowest position.
22. Record the time at which you provided catheter care. Record the characteristics of
the patient’s urine. Describe the condition of the urinary meatus and catheter.

© 2014, 2011 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All right reserved.