caring for nephrostomy bags when patient is sleeping

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My father was discharged today with 2 nephrostomy drainage bags. My mother and I were not able to change the small size ones with the larger ones which could be used for night because they were never used at the hospital and we were not shown how they are to be attached.

Question 1: how long will the smaller size bags, on average, be fine without draining? 3 hours, 4 hours? Do I need to worry if they are not changed in the middle of the night?

Question 2: are the larger bags meant to be attached to a bed? Can they be used if they are simply resting on top of the bed?

Question 3: what is the most comfortable way to hook them up at night? At the hospital, my father was wearing a gown and they were pinned to the gown, but at home, if he wears underwear or pajama bottoms, how should we secure the bags? Outside of the pants? NOTE: we tried the elastic bands around the leg, but they bother him.

Question 4: I am worried that he will sleep on them and block the flow of the urine. Any suggestions? NOTE: we are trying to see if my father can continue to sleep with my mother on their queen size bed since he can get up (even if slowly), so he is sleeping on a regular bed.

Thank you so much,

Ida

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The bags are safe until they're full. The larger bags are meant to be used at night since most people sleep through the night.

Unless he kinks the tubing somehow it would be difficult to block the urine.

Suggestion: ask his doctor for a home health referral, the nurses can come in and teach you how to manage everything.

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Specializes in Telemetry, Case Management.

I agree, definitely get a home health referral and let them give you a lesson in the care he needs. It will relieve your mind.

Also, I had two nephrostomy tubes for a very short time last year, and I guarantee you, sleeping on them doesn't obstruct the flow. I slept in every possible position including on my back, and on the affected side with the bags crumpled under me!!!!

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I agree, definitely get a home health referral and let them give you a lesson in the care he needs. It will relieve your mind.

Also, I had two nephrostomy tubes for a very short time last year, and I guarantee you, sleeping on them doesn't obstruct the flow. I slept in every possible position including on my back, and on the affected side with the bags crumpled under me!!!!

thk you,

would you know if there is special clothing that a patient can wear so that the plastic of the bag and the tubes do not touch the skin? A big part of the problem is psychological and I think that if I can somehow 'hide' the bags, it might help.

I have tried to sew two pouches to put the bags in so that the material touches the skin, but I have to also figure a way to tie it around the legs (maybe with velcro) - the straps they provide are not the most comfortable.

We do have a nurse visit the home but she suggested strapping the bags to the legs - my father is not comfortable with that so my mother pins them to his undershirt or underwear - I thought that the flow might be affected because they sit pretty high and that was one reason for sending my initial email.

I will also have to see if there is a group or someone in our city (Toronto, Ontario) who can come to speak to him - it would have to be someone who also wears them - if he speaks to someone else, it might help him because it would be someone who understands how he feels.

thk you again for your reply

-1
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Contact the company that supplies the bags, they may know of a support group in your area.

No special clothing, sorry, the only thing I can think of is wrapping gauze or a piece of material around his body under the appliance.

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My husband has nephrostomy tubes with the standard leg bags. However, he needs a larger bag for night time and I can't find any bag larger than 600 ML for nephrostomy tubes. You mentioned a larger bag for night time...could you please tell me where to purchase one? Your help would be greatly appreciated.

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BARD makes larger bags for overnight that have a hook to hang on the bed. They hold 2000ML and they also have even larger ones. The drainage port has two parts, keeping it more secure than many of them. There are other companies also, but my experience with BARD has been very good. You can order online.

Shrry

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