Do I tape foley to leg?

iHeartNICU · Aug 4, 2006

I am a nursing student and we were taught to tape it or use a velcro device. As a patient who has had a foley, I would also say that securing it to the leg is much appreciated so it doesn't pull.

RN and Mommy · Aug 4, 2006

We used to use the velcro leg bands, but now we use a product called Stat-lock. It is secured to the patient's leg. It doesn't slip down like the velcro ones did, but it's a pain to get off. We use alcohol and it eventually comes off.

TazziRN, RN · Aug 4, 2006

I have never had it taped to my leg and never had a problem with pulling, because I was aware enough to make sure I took the bag with me!! Taping it is not a very kind thing to do unless the pt is restless or combative, because the skin there is very sensitive and it HURTS to get it off. I was taught to tape also, but learned "in the real world" that it's not always such a good idea. If you must tape, please be kind to your male pts and shave a patch of skin where you want to put the tape.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Aug 4, 2006

I try very hard to use other products like the velcro strap vs tape because I have worked with so many elderly that have fragile skin or very sensitive skin that is very irritated or harmed by tape removal. Obsese pts also have very hot folds and can be irritated by tape.

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Aug 4, 2006

Back when I worked with adults I was always taping foleys but it seemed I was the only one that did that. I would use the velcro straps when available but several hospitals I worked at didn't have them. I only saw the stat-lock one time and it fell off in less than 24hrs on a relatively calm patient. Maybe the technology has improved; I saw the stat-lock something like 8 years ago.

And when I taped; I did it to the top middle of the thigh, not the inner thigh, I have sensitive skin and wouldn't do that to someone. Also shave the area if they had much hair (male or female). I would use 3 inch silk tape; 5 strips in an organized kind of basket weave pattern and they would hold for a couple of days unless the patient was diaphoretic or very agitated.

And if someone stated a tape sensitivity I always respected that and didn't use tape. I am allergic to pretty much all hospital tapes & bandaids so I understand.

chadash · Aug 5, 2006

I always use the foamy sorta straps with the velcro, tape can cause skin problems. I have noticed that they don't always secure the catheter on pts in nursing homes, and I think they should. With turning and repositioning, you can give it an accidental pull.

Dasa Rose · Aug 5, 2006

I was taught to use tape and on the inner thigh for women and on the abdomen for men. I had one when I was in the hospital and I appreciated having it on the inner thigh because it didn't get stuck on aything. Never seen the straps...yet. :)

9moreyears · Aug 5, 2006

I had a patient just this week who was having bladder spasms so bad he required robinul every 4 hours. After I taped his foley, suprise, they just stopped!

tridil2000, MSN, RN · Aug 5, 2006

we use stat lock and i have had success with it.

PANurseRN1 · Aug 5, 2006

I was taught to use tape and on the inner thigh for women and on the abdomen for men. I had one when I was in the hospital and I appreciated having it on the inner thigh because it didn't get stuck on aything. Never seen the straps...yet. :)

YEEEOOOWWW!!!

mrsalby · Aug 5, 2006

I work on a transplant/surgical SAC unit and we use tegaderm to secure the foley to the leg and don't have any complaints.