When someone has to use a catheter they often use a leg bag. There are straps on it that secure it to a leg and that fit under clothes. For those who have to use a catheter when they’re not in the hospital, this bag allows them to remain mobile while continuing normal activities every day. It’s much more convenient than the bigger collection bags. It’s important to make sure that the bag and catheter is sterile and that the bag is emptied when it’s necessary.

The first thing that you should do is to use water and soap before you touch your catheter or bag. To make sure that your hands are clean enough, don’t wash them any shorter than it would take to sing the song “Happy Birthday” two times. Your hands should be covered in a good lather.

First you want to clean that connection between your tubing and the draining tube that leads to the bag using cotton balls that were dipped in some rubbing alcohol or alcohol pads.

Next you want to pinch your catheter tubing so that it doesn’t leak. Pull your drainage tube from your catheter tube with a gentle twist. In place of that drainage tube, connect your tube that leads to your bag.

Ensure that your tube for the bag is long enough. A good indication is that it’s long enough to reach the calf when the leg is bent.

Secure your bag to the calf using your leg straps. Another of those straps should be used for securing the tube to the same thigh.

Open your bag’s spigot which is at the bottom of it for emptying when it’s between one third and one half. It can either empty into a toilet or a container that is sterile, if the doctor wants to know the urine volume. Use cotton and rubbing alcohol or one of the alcohol pads to clean your spigot.

Use two parts of water and one part of vinegar to clean your bag, and make sure that you’re switching to a new bag after two weeks. But if the bag looks contaminated, change it sooner.

Knowing how to care for a leg back is important to ensure that you have a lesser risk of infection. These steps above will help you to do that and to help you stay healthy while being catheterized.