A wide variety of drainage systems are available. When selecting a system, consideration should be given to the reasons for catheterisation, intended duration, the patient's wishes, and infection control issues.

Urine drainage bags are available in a wide selection of sizes ranging from the 350ml to 2 litre bags. 2 litre bags are more commonly used in non‐ambulatory patients and overnight drainage.

When obtaining a urine specimen from a catheter, it is important that an aseptic technique via the sampling port is used. Samples must not be taken from the drainage bag.

Should a catheter maintenance solution be clinically required, a new sterile bag must be used after each solution used.

Outlet type (tap)

• T-tap, slide action, or lever tap
  • Patients’ manual dexterity should be assessed to indicate appropriate operation of the various mechanisms

Inlet tube

• Long tube – to be worn on calf
• Short tube – to be worn on thigh
• Adjustable tube – only with sheath systems

Leg bags

Sterile leg bags must be used with indwelling urinary catheters and should only be changed according to clinical need, or as per manufacturer's recommendation e.g. usually 5-7 days.

Bags must be emptied before they are ¾ full and as per manufacturers’ guidance, using a clean procedure and without breaching the closed system unless clinically indicated.

For use with sheaths - non-sterile leg bags can be used as non-invasive, minimum use one week.

Prescription - 10 per box enough for 10 weeks supply. No more than one box of ten should be issued on alternate months (e.g. 6 x 10 boxes per year). All boxes of 10 bags contain at least one pair of leg bag straps.

With T-tap

LINC-Flo (LINC Medical Systems Ltd)

(Sterile leg bag with T-tap)

• Short tube + T-tap 10cm:
  • 350ml (LM350MD-T) (£22.24 = pack of 10)
  • 500ml (LM500MD-T) (£23.95 = pack of 10)
  • 750ml (LM750MD-T) (£23.91 = pack of 10)
• Long tube + T-tap 30cm:
  • 500ml (LM500LD-T) (£23.95 = pack of 10)
  • 750ml (LM750LD-T) (£23.91 = pack of 10)
• Adjustable tube + T-tap:
  • 500ml (LM500AD-T) (£23.95 = pack of 10)
  • 750ml (LM750AD-T) (£23.91 = pack of 10)
• Direct inlet + T-tap:
  • 350ml (LM350SD-T) (£22.24 = pack of 10)
  • 500ml (LM500SD-T) (£23.95 = pack of 10)
  • 750ml (LM750SD-T) (£23.91 = pack of 10)

Notes

1. Packs include overnight connector and elastic velcro straps, 10 pairs of straps per box of 10 leg bags.

With slide tap

Prosys (Clinisupplies Ltd)

(Sterile leg bag with slide tap)

• Short tube 10cm + slide tap (£27.67 = pack of 10):
  • 350ml (P350S)
  • 500ml (P500S)
  • 750ml (P750S)
• Long tube 30cm + slide tap (£27.67 = pack of 10):
  • 350ml (P350L)
  • 500ml (P500L)
  • 750ml (P750L)

Notes

1. Packs include 1 pair of non-latex gloves and soft elasticated cotton velcro straps per box of 10.

With lever tap

Prosys (Clinisupplies Ltd)

(Sterile leg bag with lever tap)

• Short tube + lever tap (£27.67 = pack of 10):
  • 500ml (P500S-LT)
• Long tube + lever tap (£27.67 = pack of 10):
  • 500ml (P500L-LT)

Notes

1. Packs include 1 pair of non-latex gloves and soft elasticated cotton velcro straps per box of 10.

Libra (Great Bear Healthcare)

(Sterile leg bag with lever tap)

• Short tube + lever tap:
  • 350ml (10100A) (£30.72 = pack of 10)
  • 500ml (10102C) (£31.19 = pack of 10)
  • 750ml (10106G) (£31.53 = pack of 10)
• Long tube + lever tap:
  • 500ml (10104E) (£31.19 = pack of 10)
  • 750ml (10108J) (£31.53 = pack of 10)
• Adjustable tube + lever tap:
  • 500ml (10105F) (£31.19 = pack of 10)
  • 750ml (10110L) (£31.53 = pack of 10)
• Direct inlet + lever tap:
  • 500ml (10131H) (£30.97 = pack of 10)

Notes

1. Packs include overnight connector and elastic non-slip velcro straps.

Night bags

Bags should always be positioned below the level of the bladder to maintain an unobstructed flow and be emptied appropriately. Stands can be obtained from the bag manufacturers or dispensing contractors free of charge.

The night bag is attached to the leg bag and the leg bag valve opened to allow drainage into the night bag.

Night bag stands can be obtained from the bag manufacturers or dispensing contractors free of charge.

Reusable/weekly

Prescription - 10 per box enough for 10 weeks supply. No more than one box of ten should be issued on alternate months (e.g. 6 x 10 boxes per year)

2 litre with T-tap

Prosys P2000 (Clinisupplies Ltd)

(Sterile drainable night bag with T-tap)

• 2 litre drainable bag + T-tap (P2000) (£12.81 = pack of 10)

Notes

1. Bag with 90cm inlet tube, non-return valve, sample port connector, T outlet tap, and 1 pair of non-latex gloves.

2 litre with lever tap

Prosys P2000-LT (Clinisupplies Ltd)

(Sterile drainable night bag with lever tap)

• 2 litre drainable bag + lever tap (P2000-LT) (£12.81 = pack of 10)

Notes

1. Bag with 90cm inlet tube, non-return valve, sample port connector, lever outlet tap, and pair of non-latex gloves.

GB4 (Great Bear Healthcare)

(Sterile drainable night bag with lever tap)

• 2 litre drainable bag + lever tap (10400W) (£14.84 = pack of 10)

Notes

1. Bag with 100cm inlet tube, non-return valve, sample port, anti-kink tubing, and lever outlet tap.

3 litre with lever tap

GB6 (Great Bear Healthcare)

(Sterile drainable night bag with lever tap)

• 3 litre drainable bag + lever tap (10430U) (£18.76 = pack of 10)

Notes

1. Bag with 120cm tube, sample port, non-return valve and lever action tap.

Single use

Disposable / single use night bags may help reduce urinary tract infections.

Prescription - maximum of three boxes for one-months’ supply

2 litre non-drainable

Prosys P2 (Clinisupplies Ltd)

(Non-sterile non-drainable night bag)

• 2 litre non-drainable bag (P2) (£2.21 = pack of 10)

Notes

1. Bag with 90cm inlet tube and non-return valve.

GB2 (Great Bear Healthcare)

(Non-sterile non-drainable night bag)

• 2 litre non-drainable bag (10300S) (£2.93 = pack of 10)

Notes

1. Bag with 90cm inlet tube and non-return valve.

2 litre drainable

Prosys PSU2 (Clinisupplies Ltd)

(Non-sterile drainable night bag with slide tap)

• 2 litre drainable bag + slide tap (PSU2) (£3.27 = pack of 10)

Notes

1. Bag with 90cm inlet tube, non-return valve and slide outlet tap.

GB3 (Great Bear Healthcare)

(Non-sterile drainable night bag with T-tap)

• 2 litre drainable bag + T tap (10303V) (£3.63 = pack of 10)

Notes

1. Bag with 90cm inlet tube, non-return valve and T outlet tap.

GB3S (Great Bear Healthcare)

(Sterile drainable night bag with T-tap)

• 2 litre drainable bag + T tap (10GB3S) (£6.30 = pack of 10)
• 2 litre drainable bag + T tap (30GB3S) (£18.62 = pack of 30)

Notes

1. Sterile bag with 90cm inlet tube, non-return valve and T outlet tap.

3 litre drainable

LINC-Flo (LINC Medical Systems Ltd)

(Sterile drainable night bag with twist-tap)

• 3 litre drainable bag + twist-tap (LM3LS) (£5.63 = pack of 10)

Notes

1. Sterile bag with non-return valve with twist off tube outlet and a 120cm tubing length.

LINC-Flo (LINC Medical Systems Ltd) 

(Sterile drainable night bag with T-tap)

• 3 litre drainable bag + T-tap (LM3LS-T) (£15.92 = pack of 30)

Notes

1. Sterile bag with single use T-tap.

GB5 (Great Bear Healthcare) 

(Non-sterile drainable night bag with T-tap)

• 3 litre drainable bag + T-tap (10330Y) (£6.40 = pack of 10)

Notes

1. Bag with 120cm inlet tube with single use T-tap and safety clip.

GB5S (Great Bear Healthcare) 

(Sterile drainable night bag with T-tap)

• 3 litre drainable bag + T-tap (10GB5S) (£8.94 = pack of 10)

Notes

1. Sterile bag with 120cm tube, single use T-tap and safety clip.