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My bladder, my life

Bladder management

  • Bladder types
  • Starting with catheters
  • Problems
  • Life hacks
  • Inside the bladder
  • Equipment
Starting with catheters
  • Intermittent catheter
    • Other options for managing your bladder
      • Indwelling catheter
      • Suprapubic catheter
      • Reflex emptying
      • Straining or expressing

      Indwelling catheter

      An indwelling catheter (IDC) is a tube that is inserted into the bladder to drain urine. The catheter remains in place for a few weeks.

      How do I use an indwelling catheter?

      The catheter is inserted into the urethra and held in place by a balloon that is filled with water.

      side view of an indwellling catheter
      side view of an Indwellling catheter

      The catheter is then connected to a drainage bag (or leg bag) which collects the urine so that it can be disposed of at an appropriate time.  IDCs are designed to stay in place for weeks. The amount of time needed between changes will vary for each person and should be discussed with your urology nurse.

      The drainage bag and catheter should be attached somewhere (usually to your leg) to make sure that the catheter doesn’t get pulled or disconnected.

      Complications that may occur

      An IDC is an open path for bacteria to enter your bladder so make sure your hands are clean when touching the catheter or drainage bag.

      It’s important to check your urine to look for signs of bleeding or other changes.

      Keep an eye out for these issues:

      • UTI
      • Leaking

      Preventing infections with IDC

      Drink plenty of water.

      It’s important to not disconnect the drainage bag from the catheter until it’s due to be changed. This connection helps to minimise organisms from entering the bladder via the catheter.

      You should also keep the bag below the level of your bladder at all times to make sure that the urine doesn’t flow back up into your bladder. The back flow of urine can carry bacteria into your bladder which might cause an infection.

      Other options for managing your bladder
      Suprapubic catheter

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      Quick links

      • Bladder types
      • Starting with catheters
      • Problems
      • Life hacks
      • Inside the bladder
      • Equipment

      About this resource

      This web resource is part of a research project to improve bladder management at the Austin, by increasing the use of intermittent catheterisation.

      The research project is funded by TAC.

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      This research project is brought to you by

      Austin Health
      TAC
      ISCRR
      WorkSafe

      Contacts

      Austin Health
      03 9496 5000
      Victorian Spinal Cord Service
      03 9496 5220
      Spinal Urology Nurse
      03 9496 5904
      spinalurologynurse@austin.org.au
      VSCS outpatient Nurse
      03 9496 5176
      vscsoutpatients@austin.org.au

      Disclaimer

      This information has been developed for Austin Health use and has been specifically designed for Austin Health. This information is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your doctor or healthcare professionals. The authors have made a considerable effort to ensure the information is accurate, up to date and easy to understand. Austin Health accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies, information perceived as misleading, or the success of any treatment regimen detailed on this website. Written information should only be used in conjunction with advice from the health professional who is looking after you.

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