What Is a Foley Catheter?
A Foley catheter (indwelling catheter) is a flexible tube inserted through the urethra into the bladder to continuously drain urine. Unlike intermittent catheters that are inserted and removed each time, a Foley catheter stays in place — held by a small inflated balloon inside the bladder.
Foley catheters are used for:
- Post-surgical urinary retention
- Acute illness requiring accurate urine output monitoring
- Chronic urinary retention when intermittent catheterization isn’t feasible
- End-of-life comfort care
- Severe incontinence when other methods have failed
Foley Catheter Sizes
Measured in French (Fr) scale. The most common adult sizes:
| Size (Fr) | Diameter (mm) | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Fr | 4.0 mm | Small adult, women |
| 14 Fr | 4.7 mm | Standard — most common starting size |
| 16 Fr | 5.3 mm | Standard adult men |
| 18 Fr | 6.0 mm | Men with enlarged prostate, post-surgical |
| 20 Fr | 6.7 mm | Post-TURP, blood clot irrigation |
| 22-24 Fr | 7.3-8.0 mm | 3-way irrigation catheters |
Rule of thumb: Start with the smallest size that drains effectively. Larger sizes cause more discomfort and urethral trauma.
Types of Foley Catheters
By Material
- Latex: Most common, flexible, affordable. Not for latex-allergic patients. Short-term use (up to 14 days).
- Silicone: Hypoallergenic, stiffer, biocompatible. For long-term use (28+ days) and latex-allergic patients. More expensive.
- Silicone-coated latex: Latex core with silicone coating. Compromise between comfort and cost. Reduced latex sensitivity risk.
- Hydrogel-coated: Smooth, friction-reducing coating. Reduces encrustation and biofilm. Good for long-term use.
- Silver-coated: Antimicrobial coating reduces catheter-associated UTI (CAUTI) risk. Used in high-risk patients.
By Lumen
- 2-way (standard): One lumen for drainage, one for balloon inflation. Most common.
- 3-way: Third lumen for continuous bladder irrigation. Used after prostate surgery to prevent blood clot blockage.
By Tip
- Straight tip: Standard, works for most patients
- Coudé tip: Curved tip that navigates around an enlarged prostate or urethral obstruction. Marked with a line on the funnel end to indicate curve direction.
Foley Catheter Care
Daily Care
- Hand hygiene — wash hands before and after touching the catheter or drainage system
- Clean the catheter-urethral junction daily with mild soap and water during bathing
- Keep the drainage bag below bladder level at all times to prevent backflow
- Empty the drainage bag when it’s 2/3 full (or at least every 8 hours)
- Don’t disconnect the catheter from the drainage bag unless changing bags
- Secure the catheter to your thigh (or abdomen for men) with a catheter strap to prevent pulling
Preventing Infections
- Drink plenty of fluids (8+ glasses of water daily)
- Don’t use antibiotic ointment at the insertion site (doesn’t prevent CAUTI)
- Keep the drainage spigot clean — don’t let it touch the floor or toilet
- Report cloudy urine, blood, odour, fever, or pain to your healthcare provider
When to Change
- Latex catheters: Every 10-14 days
- Silicone catheters: Every 4-12 weeks (per manufacturer and clinical assessment)
- Change immediately if: Blocked, leaking around the catheter, signs of infection, or balloon deflation
Leg Bags vs. Overnight Bags
- Leg bag: Small (500-750ml), straps to your thigh or calf. Discreet under clothing. For daytime use.
- Overnight/bedside bag: Large (2,000ml), hangs on a stand beside the bed. For sleeping — larger capacity means fewer disruptions.
Shop Foley Catheters at FinalMedic
We carry Foley catheters from Bard, Coloplast, Rusch, and Covidien. Latex, silicone, hydrogel-coated, and silver-coated options in all sizes. Plus drainage bags, catheter straps, and accessories.
Free shipping on all orders across Canada. Contact info@finalmedic.ca for product recommendations.