Foley Position

[QUEENIERN]

WE HAVE ALWAYS PUT THE FOLEY UNDER THE LEG WHEN PATIENT IS IN SUPINE POSITION. BEING AN OLD MED SURGE NURSE THIS IS WRONG. GOES OVER THE LEG. ANYWAY NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN A CERTAIN CRNA AT OUR HOSPITAL HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE POSITIONING OF THE FOLEY AND IS CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH CIRCULATORS AND RNFA. SOMETHING IN WRITING ALWAYS GETS HIS ATTENTION SO I AM WONDERING WHAT POSITION OTHERS ARE USING OVER OR UNDER.

[Heartsofangels]

I have always been taught over the leg, but lately there has been conflict where I work about foley cath positioning. Some are taught different than others. I would just like a definite answer so I can tell everyone, but I see everyone on here also has different opinions. I'll take any more advice. I work in long term care. Thank you.

[sbic56, BSN, RN]

This reminds me of the old, ongoing debate in Ann Landers' column about whether or not the roll of toilet paper should be placed with the sheets coming over or under the roll...

[flynrn]

I have been an OR nurse for 22 years. Open heart, neuro, ortho etc. The reason to put the foley UNDER the leg is this: drains more appropriately, not up hill over the thigh and then down, it expedites transfer to the top for anes to see output. The only time I put it over the thigh is in lithotomy for gyn cases.