A Foley catheter is a flexible tube that is inserted through the urethra to help drain urine from the bladder. It is a type of indwelling catheter, meaning one that is kept in place so that urine is continuously drained from the bladder.
A Foley catheter is typically inserted by a healthcare provider before surgery or to treat certain people with urinary incontinence or the inability to pee. Once the catheter is placed, extreme care is needed to avoid a urinary tract infection (UTI). Urinary Bag
This article explains what Foley catheters are and what they are used for. It also describes how they are inserted and cared for, including the possible risks and complications.
The Foley catheter is a thin tube inserted into the urethra (the tube through which urine exits the body) in order to drain urine from the bladder (the organ that collects and stores urine from the kidneys).
It is a type of indwelling catheter that is kept in place longer than an intermittent catheter (which is used and removed once the bladder is emptied). After insertion, a Foley catheter is intended to remain in place for several hours or longer.
A Foley catheter consists of two separate channels (called lumens ) running down the entire length of the tube:
There are also triple-lumen catheters that have a third channel used to push sterile fluids into the bladder to flush out blood and blood clots after urinary tract surgery.
Foley catheters can also vary by their size, measured in millimeters (mm). In clinical practice, the color of the catheter describes its size:
Different coatings are also applied to the catheter which can extend its use. Some coatings enable use for up to 28 days, while others may enable use for up to three months.
An intermittent catheter is sometimes referred to as a straight catheter. As opposed to a Foley catheter which remains in place for a prolonged period, a straight catheter is used to drain urine from the bladder, after which it is removed.
A Foley catheter has specific uses. This includes certain types of surgery, conditions that cause severe urinary retention (the inability to pee), or cases of severe incontinence that cannot be controlled by other means. It is also sometimes used for diagnostic purposes or during the delivery of a baby.
Foley catheters are not used for the general treatment of incontinence.
A Foley catheter may be used for:
Foley catheters are commonly placed before surgery to keep the bladder empty during and after the procedure (typically after the person is anesthetized). In non-surgical situations, they are placed by a healthcare provider after a numbing gel is applied.
Irrespective of the situation, the process of catheterization more or less follows the same steps:
There are situations in which a person with a lifelong condition (like paralysis) may be taught to catheterize themselves, but this can be difficult and requires the utmost care to avoid infection.
The insertion of a Foley catheter may be uncomfortable but should not cause significant pain. Most people adjust to having a catheter once they relax a bit.
With that said, the catheter may make you feel as if you need to pee even though it keeps the bladder empty. This is because the catheter can irritate the bladder, causing contractions and spasms that usually occur when the bladder is full.
At most hospitals, the placement of an indwelling catheter is considered standard for surgical procedures that:
Once the catheter is in place, you can walk and move about, but care should be taken to avoid pulling the tube out of place. Something as simple as tripping or stumbling can do this.
When using a Foley catheter, excellent hygiene is essential to preventing UTIs and other health concerns.
Among some of the key tips:
Never remove a Foley catheter unless a healthcare provider has taught you how and when to do so. Removing the catheter without properly deflating the balloon is not only extremely painful, but it can also cause permanent damage to the urethra.
As a rule, a Foley catheter should only be used as long as necessary and removed once it is no longer needed. It should not be considered the standard of care if other options for managing incontinence or urinary retention exist.
The largest concern is related to UTIs, the risk of which increases the longer a catheter is used. In severe cases, a catheter-associated UTI can lead to urosepsis in which the infection moves into the bloodstream and causes a potentially deadly immune reaction.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the risk of bacteriuria (bacteria in urine increases) by 3% to 7% every day that an indwelling catheter is used. After one month, nearly 100% of people with Foley catheters will have bacteriuria.
There may also be mechanical problems that can harm you while using a Foley catheter. These include the breakage of the catheter balloon, the obstruction of a catheter, and the accidental yanking of the tube.
People who use a Foley catheter for a long time may also develop urinary retention (the inability to fully empty the bladder) once it is removed.
See a healthcare provider immediately if you develop the following signs or symptoms while using a Foley catheter:
A Foley catheter is a thin, flexible tube inserted into the urethra to drain urine from the bladder. It is commonly used during and after certain surgery. It can also be used for people with severe urinary retention or cases of urinary incontinence that cannot be controlled by other means.
A Foley catheter can be used for days or weeks. However, it should only be used when indicated and never for longer than needed. The longer a Foley catheter is used, the greater the risk of a urinary tract infection.
Feneley RC, Hopley IB, Wells PN. Urinary catheters: history, current status, adverse events and research agenda. J Med Eng Technol. 2015;39(8):459–470. doi:10.3109/03091902.2015.1085600
Nicolle LE. Catheter associated urinary tract infections. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control. 2014 Jul 25:3:23. doi: 10.1186/2047-2994-3-23
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Summary of recommendations: appropriate urinary catheter use.
Kim KH, Chung KJ. Improving Foley catheter insertion procedure by developing Foley introducer: a 100-year overdue innovation. Int Neurourol J. 2023 May;27(Suppl 1):S34-39. doi:10.5213/inj.2346098.049
Jang EB, Hong SH, Kim KS, et al. Catheter-related bladder discomfort: how can we manage it? Int Neurourol J. 2020 Dec;24(4):324–331. doi:10.5213/inj.2040108.054
Meddings J, Rogers MA, Krein SL, Fakih MG, Olmsted RN, Saint S. Reducing unnecessary urinary catheter use and other strategies to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infection: an integrative review. BMJ Qual Saf. 2014;23(4):277–289. doi:10.1136/bmjqs-2012-001774
National Institutes of Health. Foley catheter care.
Jiang Y, Li J, Zhang Y, et al. Clinical situations of bacteriology and prognosis in patients with urosepsis. Biomed Res Int. 2019;2019:3080827. doi:10.1155/2019/3080827
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
By Jennifer Whitlock, RN, MSN, FN Jennifer Whitlock, RN, MSN, FNP-C, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. She has experience in primary care and hospital medicine.
Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.
There was an error. Please try again.
2x2 Gauze Pads By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.