title: Urine-drainage leg bags: an overview.
abstract: This article looks at leg bags from the perspective of the clinical guidance available, published research, review papers, the diverse nature of products available, and their use with catheters, sheaths or urinals. The part that leg bags play in catheter-associated urinary tract infection control is addressed. Other aspects of catheter safety are discussed, including the avoidance of catheter traction. Variations in leg-bag structure including bag size, inlet tubing, tap, connector and backing, along with the reasons for selecting a particular leg bag are considered, along with the choice of either leg-bag straps or sleeves. The article concludes that, as a result of the variation of leg bags available, patients may require assistance and support from health professionals in finding the right leg bag for them.
authors.affiliation: Formely Nurse Practitioner for Bladder and Bowel Health, Humber NHS Foundation Trust.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D004322:Drainage / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D014556:Urine
keywords: Catheter-associated urinary tract infections; Quality of life; Urinary catheterisation; Urinary incontinence