A Foley Catheter is a sterile and flexible tube that is inserted into the urethra and up into the bladder to drain urine. It is also referred to as an indwelling catheter.
This type of catheter is used when a patient is unable to urinate on their own, either because they are too sick, sedated, or unable to urinate without assistance because of a medical issue.
A Foley Catheter is sterile, to prevent urinary tract infections when it is inserted. It is held in place by a tiny balloon that is inflated to keep the tip of the catheter in the bladder. Urine then drains from the bladder through the tube and into a collection bag.
If the patient needs to be catheterized once, and the catheter does not need to remain in place, a straight catheter, or straight cath, is used instead, and removed once the bladder is emptied. There is a small risk of infection, regardless of whether a Foley catheter or a straight catheter is used.
