Catheter bags and urine drainage bags
Urinary drainage bags collect urine from an indwelling (Foley or suprapubic) catheter or a male external catheter. MEC stocks leg bags worn under clothing during the day, 2 litre night bags and bedside drainage bags from Conveen, Urimaax, Bard, Hollister, Kendall and Linear Medical, plus the Bard Flip-Flo catheter valve and Urosol appliance cleaner — for home care, aged care and hospital wards.
How to choose a catheter bag
| Bag type | Typical use | At MEC |
|---|---|---|
| Leg bags (500–750 mL) | Daytime drainage, strapped to the thigh or calf under clothing. Choose the tube length that suits where you wear the bag. | Conveen Security+ 500 mL, Conveen 750 mL, Urimaax 500 mL (10 cm tube) |
| Night and bedside bags (2 L) with a drain tap | Overnight or bedbound drainage, either connected to the leg bag outlet or directly to the catheter. A bottom tap lets you empty the bag without disconnecting it. | Hollister flip tap, Urimaax A4, Urimaax A5, Mdevices T-tap, Linear Medical tear drop |
| Hospital drainage bags with sampling port | Ward and clinical use, with a needle-free port for taking urine samples and an anti-reflux chamber. | Bard 2000 mL, Kendall Curity 2000 mL |
| Single-use night bags (no tap) | Overnight bags that are disconnected and discarded in the morning. | Urimaax night bag (non-sterile, pack of 10) |
| Catheter valve | Fits the end of a urethral or suprapubic catheter instead of a bag, so the bladder fills and is emptied by opening the valve. Can be used with or without a drainage bag. | Bard Flip-Flo |
Most bags have an anti-reflux valve to stop urine flowing back towards the catheter, and a universal stepped connector that fits standard catheters. Check the tubing length, whether the bag is sterile, and the type of outlet tap before ordering.
Using and changing drainage bags
- Keep the bag below the level of the bladder and off the floor, and make sure the tubing isn't kinked.
- Empty leg bags when they are about half to two-thirds full, so the weight doesn't pull on the catheter.
- Keep the system closed where possible — connect a night bag to the outlet of the leg bag rather than disconnecting the leg bag from the catheter.
- Change bags as your nurse or the product instructions advise. Hollister notes its night bags can be reused for up to a week when connected to a leg bag or external catheter, but a new sterile bag should be used each time when connecting directly to an indwelling catheter.
- Washable bags and bottles can be cleaned with Urosol appliance cleaner.
Important: contact your nurse or doctor if urine stops draining, if you see blood in the urine, or if you have a fever, pain, or cloudy or strong-smelling urine. Only use a catheter valve if your nurse or doctor has advised it is suitable for you.
Catheter bag FAQs
What is the difference between a leg bag and a night bag?
A leg bag is a smaller bag (usually 350–750 mL) worn on the leg during the day. A night bag holds about 2 litres, hangs on a stand or bed hanger, and is used overnight or for people in bed, so the bag doesn't need emptying during the night.
What does a Flip-Flo catheter valve do?
The Bard Flip-Flo is a valve that closes off the catheter so the bladder can store urine, which may help maintain bladder tone and capacity. You empty the bladder by opening the lever. It suits people with urethral or suprapubic catheters who have been advised to use a valve.
Are catheter bags sterile?
Most leg bags and drainage bags are packed sterile. Some single-use night bags are non-sterile — check the product details before choosing.
Ordering drainage bags for an aged-care facility, ward or community nursing team? Contact our team for volume pricing. See also catheters and incontinence products.