Foley catheters
Foley catheters are indwelling urinary catheters held in the bladder by a small water-filled balloon, and used for urethral or suprapubic drainage. MEC stocks the Biocath hydrogel-coated two-way Foley in sizes from 12 to 28 Ch, and Multigate open-ended silicone Foley catheters designed for suprapubic use — plus drainage bags and securement devices to go with them.
Choosing a Foley catheter
| Consider | What it means |
|---|---|
| Size (Ch or Fr) | The outside diameter of the catheter — 1 Ch equals 1/3 mm, so a 12 Ch catheter is 4 mm across. The smallest size that drains well is usually preferred. |
| Material | Silicone catheters are latex-free. Hydrogel-coated latex catheters such as Biocath have a smooth, slippery surface. Anyone with a latex allergy needs a latex-free catheter. |
| Two-way or three-way | Two-way catheters have one channel for drainage and one to inflate the balloon. Three-way catheters add a channel for bladder irrigation. |
| Balloon volume | Usually 10 mL for routine drainage. Fill the balloon with the volume and fluid the manufacturer specifies. |
| Tip and length | Standard-length catheters (about 40 cm) suit men and women. Open-ended catheters such as the Multigate silicone Foley drain through the tip as well as the side eyelets, which can help where catheters block easily. |
Catheter type, size and change interval are decided by the patient's doctor or continence nurse. Catheters are inserted by trained clinicians using an aseptic technique — see catheter accessories for catheterisation packs, Instillagel and securement devices.
Important: never pull on a Foley catheter or remove it without first deflating the balloon. Contact your nurse or doctor if the catheter stops draining, leaks around the insertion site, or if there is blood in the urine, fever, pain or cloudy, strong-smelling urine.
Foley catheter FAQs
What is the difference between a Foley catheter and an intermittent catheter?
A Foley catheter stays in the bladder, held by its balloon, and drains continuously into a bag or through a catheter valve. An intermittent catheter is inserted to empty the bladder and then removed straight away, several times a day.
How often is a Foley catheter changed?
It depends on the catheter material and the patient's needs. The Multigate silicone catheter is designed for up to 8 weeks indwelling time. Follow the change schedule set by your nurse or doctor.
How should a Foley catheter be secured?
Securing the catheter to the thigh or abdomen reduces pulling and movement at the insertion site. Engineered securement devices such as StatLock and Grip-Lok are an alternative to tape.
Supplying catheters for a ward, aged-care facility or community nursing team? Contact our team for volume pricing.