Urinary Drain Bag – NMU210201
A urinary drain bag is a small bag made of cloth or plastic that is used to catch urine that has been drained from a urinary catheter. The urinary drain bag is inserted into the urethra before the bladder becomes too full to prevent urine from leaking out. It can also be used in cases where the patient cannot use their bladder, such as after prostate surgery.
Description
- Urinary Drain Bag Ref. No.: NMU210201
What is a urinary drain bag?
A urinary drain bag is a small bag made of cloth or plastic that is used to catch urine that has been drained from a urinary catheter. The urinary drain bag is inserted into the urethra before the catheter is removed and held in place by the natural flow of urine.
What are the Types of Urinary Drain Bags?
There are three main types of urinary drain bags: leg bags, bedside drainage bags, and night drainage bags. Leg bags are the most common type of urinary drain bag. They are small and can be easily hidden under clothing. Leg bags can be worn for up to 24 hours before they need to be emptied. Bedside drainage bags are larger than leg bags and are meant to be used while the patient is in bed. Bedside drainage bags can be used for up to 48 hours before they need to be emptied. Night drainage bags are the largest type of urinary drain bag. They are meant to be used while the patient is sleeping. Night drainage bags can be used for up to 72 hours before they need to be emptied.
What are the Pros and Cons of a Urinary Drain Bag?
A urinary drain bag is a small, plastic bag that is attached to a catheter to collect urine. The pros of using a urinary drain bag are that it can help to prevent infection and keep the area around the catheter clean and dry. Additionally, using a drain bag can make it easier to empty the bladder completely. The cons of using a urinary drain bag are that they can be uncomfortable and may leak if not properly secured. Additionally, it is important to empty the bag regularly to avoid bacteria growth.
How to Choose a Urinary Drain Bag for Catheterized Patients
A urinary drainage bag collects urine from a catheter. It is important to choose the right type of urinary drainage bag to avoid leaks and ensure proper functioning. There are three main types of urinary drainage bags: leg bags, bedside bags, and portable bags. Leg bags are smaller and can be hidden under clothing. Bedside bags are larger and must be hung on a bedrail or other support. Portable bags are smaller than bedside bags and can be carried around with the patient. The capacity of the bag should be appropriate for the patient's needs. The most common sizes are 1000 mL and 2000 mL. The type of connection between the catheter and the bag will also vary depending on the manufacturer. Some common types of connections are Luer-Lok, Barb-Lock, and Slip-Tip. It is important to empty the urinary drainage bag when it is two-thirds to three-fourths full to prevent leakage. Urinary drainage bags should be changed every 7 to 14 days or as needed based on the manufacturer's instructions.
like urinary drain bag themselves, are delicate pieces of medical equipment. Due to their intimate contact with equally delicate parts of the human body, very strict hygiene regimens need to be practiced when emptying, changing, or doing any other maintenance with them.
Urinary Drain Bag
Importance of Drainage Bag Care
For patients adjusting to using
urinary incontinence products like a catheter system, one of the greatest challenges can be proper, hygienic use and care of their medical devices. If patients do not properly care for their catheter products and practice good sanitation habits, they are at a higher risk of developing infections and other complications. This can not only lead to more serious health risks but also discourage future use of the products which can dramatically increase a patient’s quality of life. One of the most integral parts of a catheter system that requires frequent care and maintenance is the urinary Drain Bag. Drainage bag care can be very simple, but it is essential to the overall health and well-being of the catheter system, and its user.
Empty the Drainage Bag Frequently
One of the most important factors in
drainage bag care is emptying the bag with appropriate frequency. As the bag becomes more full, its weight and mass increase. This will in turn produce a greater degree of stress on the patient’s sensitive areas. This can lead to irritation and discomfort for the patient, discouraging them from developing good habits with their treatment. In the case of leg bags, a bag becoming overfull also can provide a logistical problem should the patient need to empty the bag when they are at an inconvenient location to do so. In short, drainage bags should not be allowed to become more than half full in most cases, perhaps even less full in the case of smaller leg bags.
Wash your Hands Thoroughly
Beyond simple frequency, it is also necessary for patients to wash their hands both before and after emptying the bag. This will ensure that the bag remains uncontaminated by any bacteria or foreign matter.
Location Matters
It is very important to keep the bag below the height of the patient’s bladder or waist. This will prevent urine from leaving the bag and flowing back to the catheter and into the bladder. The bag should not be allowed to touch any foreign surfaces or objects, particularly the spigot where the urine empties from, as this can contaminate the closed system.
Cleaning the Bag
For general cleaning, rubbing alcohol should be applied to any parts of the drainage bag which are required to be touched after use, particularly in the case of the spigot. For more thorough cleaning, once the bag has been emptied and is not in use, a mixture of water and bleach can be applied to the inside of the bag, taking special care to rinse extremely thoroughly afterward. With bleach, the ratio should be 1 part bleach per 10 parts water. In cases where the use of bleach is either impractical or considered unsafe, patients can substitute white vinegar in a solution of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water ratio. In either case, this mixture should be allowed to agitate and soak within the bag for at least 30 seconds. Make sure the drainage bag has been removed from the patient before using these thorough cleaning methods.
Replacing your Drainage Bag
Even with proper cleaning techniques, patients should not hesitate to change out their urinary drainage bag if any kind of discoloration or other sign of reduced integrity appears. A good rule of thumb for replacing the drainage bag is to do so monthly.
By properly caring for not only their drainage bag but their entire catheter system, patients will dramatically decrease the likelihood of suffering infections and other complications which can compromise catheter system treatments. If you are in need of urinary catheters, fill out our Qualify Through Insurance form to see if you qualify to receive up to 200 catheters at little to no cost, delivered to your home;
