5.25 Skills Checklist: Emptying Catheter Drainage Bag
- Gather Supplies: Gloves, two barriers, graduated cylinder, and alcohol swab
- Routine Pre-Procedure Steps:
- Knock on the resident’s door.
- Perform hand hygiene.
- Maintain respectful, courteous, and professional communication at all times.
- Introduce yourself and identify the resident.
- Provide for privacy.
- Explain the procedure to the resident.
- Procedure Steps:
- Put on gloves.
- Place a barrier (e.g., paper towel or disposable pad) on the floor under the drainage bag.
- Place the graduated cylinder on the barrier.
- Open the drain to allow the urine to flow into the graduated cylinder.
- Avoid touching the tip of the tubing to the sides of the graduated cylinder.
- Close the drain.
- Wipe the drain with an alcohol wipe.
- Wipe the drain holder, if present, with an alcohol wipe.
- Replace the drain into the holder.
- Place a clean barrier on a level, flat surface.
- Place the graduated cylinder on the barrier.
- With the graduated cylinder at eye level, read the amount of output.
- Note the characteristics (i.e., color, clarity, sediment, or unusual odor) of the urine.
- Empty the urine in the graduated cylinder into the toilet.
- Rinse the graduated cylinder and empty it into the toilet.
- Return the equipment to storage.
- Remove the gloves, turning them inside out.
- Post-Procedure Steps:
- Perform hand hygiene.
- Check for resident comfort and if anything else is needed.
- Ensure the bed is low and locked. Check the brakes.
- Place the call light or signaling device within reach of the resident.
- Open the door and privacy curtain.
- Perform hand hygiene.
- Document urinary output in mL and report any issues or changes noted with the resident.
View a YouTube video[1] of an instructor demonstrating emptying catheter drainage bag:
- Chippewa Valley Technical College. (2022, December 3). Emptying Catheter Drainage Bag. [Video]. YouTube. Video licensed under CC BY 4.0. https://youtu.be/V2Xq4GWcfow ↵
