Discharge Instructions: Caring for Your Leg Bag

You are going home with a urinary catheter and collection device (drainage bag) in place. One type of collection device is called a leg bag. This is a smaller drainage bag that you can wear on your leg to collect urine during the day. The bag can fit under your clothing. You can move around with greater ease when using a leg bag instead of a larger collection bag.

You were shown how to care for your catheter in the hospital. The information below will help you remember those steps when you are at home.

Home care

• Wash your hands thoroughly before and after you care for your catheter or collection device.
• Gather your supplies:
  • Alcohol wipes
  • Soap and water
  • Towel and washcloth
  • Leg strap and leg bag
  • Put the leg band high on your thigh with the product label pointing away from your leg.
  • Stretch the leg band in place and fasten.
  • Place the catheter tubing over the bag and secure it. You may secure it with a Velcro tab or other method, depending on the product you use. Be sure to leave enough loop in the catheter above the leg band so you won't pull on the tube.
  • Every 4 to 6 hours, reposition the band. This will prevent pressure from the elastic on your leg. You can do this by changing the bag to the other leg or by raising or lowering the leg band.
  • Wash the band as often as needed. You can hand wash and dry the leg band.

  Follow-up

  Make a follow-up appointment as directed by your healthcare provider.

  When to call your healthcare provider

  Call your healthcare provider or get medical care right away if you have any of the following:

  • Redness, swelling, or warmth around the catheter entry site
  • Pus draining from your catheter entry site or into the catheter tubing and bag
  • Blood, clots, or floating debris in the urine
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Shaking chills
  • Fever above 100.4 °F ( 38 °C), or as directed by your healthcare provider
  • Pain
  • Catheter that falls out or is dislodged

  Online Medical Reviewer: Marc Greenstein MD
  Online Medical Reviewer: Melinda Murray Ratini DO
  Online Medical Reviewer: Rita Sather RN
  

  Date Last Reviewed: 8/1/2024
  

  © 2000-2024 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.