Foley Catheter

BinkieRN, BSN, RN · Sep 5, 2008

I need to know where I can get information on how to place a foley bag when the patient is in the bed lying on their side.

It wouldn't be any different than when the patient is lying on their back. I don't understand the delimma? Between the patients legs, over the side of the bed, below waist level, hanging from the frame and not touching the floor.

Atheos · Sep 5, 2008

It wouldn't be any different than when the patient is lying on their back. I don't understand the delimma? Between the patients legs, over the side of the bed, below waist level, hanging from the frame and not touching the floor.

And covered by a privacy bag! Or is that a silly nursing home thing?

southern rn · Sep 5, 2008

Do you mean how to actually place the catheter into the bladder with the pt side-lying?

GadgetRN71, ASN, RN · Sep 5, 2008

And covered by a privacy bag! Or is that a silly nursing home thing?

Never seen a privacy bag in the hospital so it may be,:) although I have heard of people that are out and about and have a foley long term, that use them.

RheatherN, ASN, RN, EMT-P · Sep 5, 2008

i am also confused.. can you clarify your question more?

WingsEarned21, LPN, RN · Sep 5, 2008

Everything I see states over the thigh and below the bladder.If you place the tubing over the thigh while on their side wouldn't there be backflow which is what we are trying to prevent so we can prevent infection.I thought it should go between their legs and either out the front or the back depending on which side they are lying on.

BookwormRN · Sep 5, 2008

Please someone correct me if I am wrong...

Backflow will happen only if the Foley BAG is higher than the bladder. If it is hanging on the bed, below the level of the bladder, the urine will continue to flow in to the bag-not backward.

APBT mom, LPN, RN · Sep 5, 2008

I thnk what the OP is talking about is when the patient has a foley in the proper position (over leg and bag lower than bladder attached to the bed) is that the urine has to build up enough to go over the leg to get into the bag. That's where the back flow is happening.

When I check the patient or do the turning schdule and put the patient to one side (even if it's not time for that position) for a few minutes which helps the back flow of urine go into the bag easier. Another thing is with one hand you can crimp the cath and with the other manuever (sp) the tubing to have the urine drain in the bag.

Altra, BSN, RN · Sep 5, 2008

With normal output, there will be sufficient flow to overcome the slight uphill as it goes over the thigh. But if you know that patient will be side-lying for a period of time, and it makes you feel better, just transfer the bag to the other side of the bed so that the tubing exits the patient and immediately travels down over the side of the bed.