<p class="userway-s14-active">FIL just had surgery and has come home with an indwelling catheter for two weeks. MIL says she’s been instructed to wash bags with Clorox and re use them. This is really a thing?
My late husband had a supra pubic catheter for the last 2 years of his life, and it had to be changed every 4-6 weeks. Not just the bag but the whole catheter itself, so if you only have one for 2 weeks, you shouldn't have to worry about washing out any bags and certainly not with Clorox.
Don't you love it. Sending home a patient and expect a layman to do this type of a job. My DD is an RN. Have no idea how she became one because I am far away from wanting to do what she does. None in the family. If my Mom had been sent home with this type of catheter, the hospital would be getting a call. No, not doing it. Need home care to come out. I would bet that MIL said "Oh my DIL can do that". The person doing the caring is never asked. I especially would not be doing this for a MIL. Empty the bag and cleaning it no problem. But actually checking the catheter and making sure its cleaned, nope, not a nurse. I know, I am weird. 😁
Is this a leg bag or the larger hanging bag? I am thunderstruck that you were given a discharge without complete instructions regarding indwelling catheter care. First of all, improper cleansing and lack of taping to prevent pulling at the urethra can cause trauma and infection. This is quite incredible. Call on Monday morning to whichever doctor ordered this catheter and ask for a visit from home health to get full instructions. At the least you should have written instructions.
You can also begin by typing into your favorite search engine: "Indwelling catheter care". There are many free films to access there.
Failure to change out catheter bags may result in very unpleasant odors. You should use a new catheter bag each time imho (once monthly change is the norm). Leg bags may be rinsed with 1 part vinegar to four parts water generally after use. Bleach is corrosive and shouldn't be used. Changing a bag is a sterile procedure as to where bags connect.
Cleansing around the catheter itself is important as is insuring a free flow. You need education on this, so see to it that they give it to you. I wish you the very best. Start with the videos and tomorrow call the MD.
If the bag is a reusable one, its normally cleaned with VINEGAR and water, not Clorox! Check with the hospital for instructions and also the discharge papers.
4 Answers
Helpful Newest
First Oldest
First
ADVERTISEMENT
I am thunderstruck that you were given a discharge without complete instructions regarding indwelling catheter care. First of all, improper cleansing and lack of taping to prevent pulling at the urethra can cause trauma and infection. This is quite incredible. Call on Monday morning to whichever doctor ordered this catheter and ask for a visit from home health to get full instructions. At the least you should have written instructions.
You can also begin by typing into your favorite search engine:
"Indwelling catheter care". There are many free films to access there.
Failure to change out catheter bags may result in very unpleasant odors. You should use a new catheter bag each time imho (once monthly change is the norm). Leg bags may be rinsed with 1 part vinegar to four parts water generally after use. Bleach is corrosive and shouldn't be used. Changing a bag is a sterile procedure as to where bags connect.
Cleansing around the catheter itself is important as is insuring a free flow.
You need education on this, so see to it that they give it to you.
I wish you the very best. Start with the videos and tomorrow call the MD.