02/07/2026
🩺 When Is a Urinary Catheter Used?
A urinary catheter is a medical device used to drain urine from the bladder when a person cannot do so naturally. It should only be used when medically necessary and for the shortest time possible to reduce the risk of complications.
A catheter may be used when:
✅ A person is unable to pass urine (urinary retention)
✅ Before, during, or after certain surgeries
✅ To monitor urine output in critically ill patients
✅ In neurological conditions that affect bladder function
✅ During severe illness or limited mobility
✅ To relieve bladder obstruction in specific medical conditions
✅ For comfort in end-of-life or palliative care
⚠️ Important: A catheter is not for convenience. It is inserted based on a healthcare provider’s assessment and should be removed as soon as it is no longer needed.
Proper catheter care helps prevent infection:
💧 Wash your hands before and after handling the catheter.
🧼 Keep the insertion site clean and dry.
⬇️ Keep the drainage bag below the level of the bladder.
🚫 Avoid kinking or pulling the tubing.
👩🏽⚕️ Report pain, fever, cloudy urine, foul smell, blood in urine, or poor drainage to your healthcare provider immediately.
💜 The goal is always safe, effective, and compassionate care.