Is Foley Catheter Able to Drain the Bladder Completely in the Morning for Patients in ICU?

Foley catheters are assumed to drain the bladder completely. It is known that uncompleted drainage leads to multiple complications, such as asymptomatic bacteriuria and urinary tract infection.

From 116 patients, who were admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) for more than 24 hours, were enrolled in this study. To measure the urine level in bladder in the morning before any change in position, a 3D ultrasound scan was done for all enrolled patients. Ultrasound scan was chosen as the preferred method as it is non-invasive, accessible and inexpensive.

It was found that the bladder urine volume was less than 10 ml in 30 (26%) patients and less than 50ml in 70 (61%). Only one patient (< 1%) had bladder urine residual level of more than 200 ml.

Bladder urine residual level can reach to a dangerous level in some patients during night sleep. The cause may be creation of a loop in drainage system of urine from Foley catheter to urine bag. This can lead to stagnation of urine. We recommend this issue to be further investigated and appropriate amendment to be made to Foley catheter design.