What is a urinary drainage bag?

A urinary drainage bag collects urine from a catheter. The bag will be directly attached to your catheter and is secured using a fixation device. There are many different styles and sizes of drainage bags, and your Healthcare Professional will help you choose the right one for you.

Which overnight drainage bag is right for me?

There are many overnight drainage bags available out there, and with so many options, it’s important that you find the right one for you.

If you use a catheter leg bag, it’s usually recommended that you use an additional 2L drainage bag overnight to allow for a larger volume of urine. The catheter night bag does not replace your leg bag, but connects to it. This is called link drainage. The same is true if you use a catheter valve. Do not remove the catheter valve overnight. Simply attach an overnight drainage bag to the catheter valve and leave the valve in the open position.

Some overnight drainage bags, like the Ugo 2L Drainage Bag, are suitable for link drainage, meaning they can be attached to your catheter valve or leg bag.

How to attach a urinary leg bag

Once your drainage bag is attached to your catheter, it can stay there for up to 7 days. There is no need to change it sooner unless it becomes damaged or gets dirty. It’s important to always have spare drainage bags just in case you need to change at short notice. Attaching a drainage bag to your catheter is really easy. Simply follow these steps:

Step 1: Wash and dry your hands. This goes without saying. If someone else is changing your leg bag for you, they must apply a clean pair of gloves after washing and drying their hands.

Step 2: Remove any fixation devices that are currently being used, such as straps or a bag sleeve. Once these are removed, be careful to always support the weight of your bag, as the weight of a drainage bag could dislodge your catheter.

Step 3: Open the pouch packaging for your new drainage bag and remove the protective cap that is on the bags stepped connector, but keep it close by. Be careful not to touch the tip of the stepped connector as this could introduce infection once it is attached to your catheter.

Step 4: Carefully pull to detach the old drainage bag from your catheter, making sure you are not pulling on the catheter itself. Immediately insert the stepped connector from the new bag onto the end of your catheter. You can check the seal by looking through the clear tubing.

Step 5: The protective cap that you removed from the new drainage bag can now be attached to the stepped connector of the old bag before disposal, to prevent leakage of any urine remaining in the tube.

Step 6: Apply any fixation and support devices that you are using and adjust to ensure your catheter is draining into the new bag. Stand up if you can and move around to make sure you are comfortable with how everything is fitting.

Step 7: Empty the urine from your old drainage bag directly into the toilet and dispose of the bag as recommended by your nurse.

Step 8: Wash and dry your hands.

How to correctly empty your leg bag

It’s important that you ask your Healthcare Professional how often you need to empty your catheter drainage bag. It’s generally recommended that you empty your bag when it is 2/3 full, but this will depend on how much urine you produce and the volume of the drainage bag you choose to wear.

Step 1: Wash and dry your hands. If someone is emptying your bag for you, they must apply a clean pair of gloves after washing and drying their hands.

Step 2: Hold the outlet tap of your bag over a clean toilet or suitable clean receptacle (used only for your urine drainage – we don’t suggest borrowing a pot from the kitchen).

Step 3: Open the tap by sliding the T tap or pushing the lever tap down while still holding the outlet tube over the toilet.

Step 4: Allow the drainage bag to empty completely. While emptying the bag, try to avoid contact between the drainage tap and the receptacle or toilet. Then close the tap.

Step 5: Dry the end of the outlet tubing with a clean wipe if necessary.

Step 6: Reposition your bag using your support and fixation devices.

Step 7: Wash and dry your hands one more time.

How to attach an overnight drainage bag to your catheter valve or leg bag

Step 1: Wash and dry your hands.

Step 2: Remove your overnight drainage bag from its pouch and locate the stepped connector. This is the clear funnel-type connector at the top of the overnight bag tubing. Insert the stepped connector into the soft silicone outlet tube of the catheter valve or leg bag tubing. Check you have a good seal; the clear tubing will allow you to see the connection.

Step 3: If you’re using a stand or hanger to support your overnight drainage bag, position your bag in a way that suits you. All overnight drainage bags have eyelets at the top of the bag to allow them to be properly used with a hanger or stand.

Step 4: Once you’re happy your bag is positioned comfortably and the connection is secure, open the valve on your catheter valve or leg bag to allow urine to flow straight through into the drainage bag.

Step 5: Finally, wash and dry your hands.

 

How to Disconnect Your Catheter Night Bag from Your Catheter Valve or Leg Bag

Step 1: Wash and dry your hands. Very important.

Step 2: Turn the valve on your catheter valve or leg bag to the closed position by turning the lever all the way up.

Step 3: Carefully disconnect the overnight drainage bag from the catheter valve or leg bag; while doing this ensure you do not put tension on the catheter itself as this can cause pain or trauma within your urethra or bladder.

Step 4: Empty the urine from your overnight drainage bag directly into the toilet and dispose of the empty drainage bag as recommended by your nurse.

Step 5: Wash and dry your hands. This goes without saying!

How Often Should I Change My Leg Bag

A leg bag should be changed every 5–7 days. But you should always check the instructions for use for the specific product that you’re using. If you have any concerns, you should speak to your healthcare professional.

Sterile vs Non‑Sterile Overnight Drainage Bags

If the catheter night bag is sterile then it can be attached either directly to your catheter or to your leg bag. If the catheter night bag is non‑sterile, it is only suitable for attaching to your leg bag or catheter valve for link drainage. This is due to the risk of introducing infection by attaching a non‑sterile bag directly to your catheter.