Urinary Catheterisation in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Urinary catheterisation is a common medical procedure used to help people who have difficulty emptying their bladder or who need close monitoring of urine output. In Grand Rapids, MI, urinary catheters are frequently managed through major health systems such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health, as well as primary care and urology clinics throughout Kent County.

Cold West Michigan winters, mobility challenges on ice and snow, and chronic conditions common in Michigan (such as diabetes, stroke, and multiple sclerosis) can all increase the need for bladder support and urinary catheterisation.

What Is Urinary Catheterisation?

Urinary catheterisation means inserting a thin, flexible tube (a catheter) into the bladder to drain urine. This can:

  • Help you stay dry and avoid leakage
  • Prevent bladder overfilling and damage
  • Allow accurate measurement of urine output during illness or after surgery

In Grand Rapids, urinary catheterisation is usually arranged and monitored by your GP (primary care doctor), urologist, or continence nurse working in collaboration with local hospitals or clinics.

Main Types of Urinary Catheters

There are two main types of urinary catheterisation:

  1. Indwelling catheters (left in place continuously)
  2. Intermittent catheters (inserted to empty the bladder, then removed)

1. Indwelling Catheters

An indwelling catheter stays in the bladder for an extended period (days to months) and is usually changed regularly by a nurse (often every 6–12 weeks, depending on your care plan).

There are two common types:

  • Urethral catheter – inserted through the urethra (the natural passage from the bladder to the outside)
  • Suprapubic catheter – inserted through a small opening in the lower abdomen (above the pubic bone) directly into the bladder

In Grand Rapids, suprapubic catheters are often placed in hospital settings such as Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital or Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital, especially for people with spinal cord injury or long‑term mobility issues.

How Indwelling Catheters Stay in Place

  • Both urethral and suprapubic catheters are held in the bladder by a small water‑filled balloon at the tip.
  • This balloon sits inside the bladder and prevents the catheter from slipping out.

How Indwelling Catheters Drain Urine

Indwelling catheters can be drained in two main ways:

  1. Into a drainage bag
  2. Through a catheter valve
Drainage Bags

Urine flows continuously through the catheter tube into a collection bag.

  • Daytime bags

    • Smaller and more discreet
    • Often strapped to the leg or abdomen with elasticised straps
    • Fit under pants or skirts and are easy to empty
    • Tube length can be adjusted to where you prefer to wear the bag

  • Night-time bags

    • Larger capacity to reduce the need to get up frequently
    • Usually hung on the bed frame or placed on a stand on the floor

In Grand Rapids, your nurse or urology team will help you choose from different bag styles available through local medical supply stores and hospital outpatient clinics.

Catheter Valves

Instead of a constantly draining bag, some people use a catheter valve:

  • The valve is attached to the end of the catheter.
  • You open the valve to drain urine into the toilet, then close it to let the bladder fill again.
  • This helps maintain a more natural bladder filling and emptying pattern and can help preserve bladder shape and function.
  • The valve must be opened regularly (as often as you would normally urinate) to prevent overfilling.
  • At night, the valve is often connected to a larger drainage bag.

Benefits of catheter valves:

  • More discreet and comfortable under clothing
  • Can provide greater independence
  • May reduce the risk of trauma and infection compared with continuous bag drainage

2. Intermittent Catheters

Intermittent catheterisation means inserting a new catheter into the bladder each time you need to empty it, then removing it immediately afterward. This is often called Clean Intermittent Self‑Catheterisation (CISC).

  • The catheter is inserted through the urethra into the bladder.
  • Urine is drained completely.
  • The catheter is then removed and discarded (or cleaned, depending on the type).
  • This is done at intervals similar to normal bathroom visits (for example, every 3–4 hours).

You can learn to do CISC yourself, or it may be done by:

  • A urology nurse
  • A home health nurse (common in Grand Rapids home care programs)
  • A carer or family member, if needed

Advantages of CISC:

  • Lower risk of infection than a long‑term indwelling catheter
  • Reduced risk of kidney damage by ensuring the bladder is emptied regularly
  • Does not usually interfere with sexual activity once you are comfortable with the process

If you develop recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) while doing CISC, you should see your nurse, GP, or urologist in Grand Rapids for a review of your technique and equipment.

Conditions That May Require Urinary Catheterisation

Urinary catheterisation can help people in Grand Rapids with a variety of bladder problems, including:

  • Urinary retention – inability to empty the bladder
  • Neurological conditions, such as:
    • Stroke
    • Multiple sclerosis
    • Spinal cord injury
  • Bladder outlet obstruction, for example:
    • Enlarged prostate
    • Bladder stones
    • Narrowing (stricture) of the urethra
  • After surgery to the:
    • Prostate
    • Bladder
    • Hip
    • Female pelvic organs (such as hysterectomy)
  • Severe constipation (faecal impaction) affecting bladder function
  • Monitoring fluid balance in hospital, such as:
    • During serious illness
    • When receiving intravenous (IV) fluids

In West Michigan, where chronic conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stroke are relatively common, catheterisation is frequently part of rehabilitation and long‑term care plans at local facilities and nursing homes.

Temporary Uses of Urinary Catheters

Sometimes a catheter is needed only for a short period, such as:

  • In the first few days after major surgery
  • While retraining the bladder after an episode of retention or surgery
  • During acute illness when close monitoring of urine output is required

Once bladder control is re‑established, the catheter can often be removed, and continence training may be started.

Choosing the Right Catheter and Equipment

Your Grand Rapids healthcare team (GP, urologist, or continence nurse) will help you choose the most suitable catheter and supplies. Decisions are based on:

  • Why you need the catheter
  • How long you are likely to need it
  • Your mobility, lifestyle, and daily activities
  • Your risk of infection and skin sensitivity

Key factors include:

Catheter Size (Lumen and Circumference)

  • The inside space (lumen) of the catheter must be large enough to drain urine effectively.
  • The external circumference should be the smallest size that works well, to reduce discomfort and urethral trauma.

Catheter Material

Common materials include:

  • Silicone
  • Latex (often coated)
  • Teflon or other coatings
  • Combinations of these

The material is chosen based on:

  • How long the catheter will remain in place
  • Any allergies (for example, latex allergy)
  • Comfort and flexibility needs

Length, Shape, and Design

Your team will consider:

  • Tube length – depends on your height and whether you use a wheelchair or walk
  • Collection bag size – smaller for daytime, larger for night-time
  • Attachment options – straps, leg sleeves, or belts

This is especially important in Grand Rapids, where people may need to navigate icy sidewalks, stairs, or long distances in large hospital campuses. Proper length and securement help avoid pulling and discomfort during movement.

Securing or Anchoring the Catheter

Catheter supports and securement devices:

  • Prevent unnecessary tugging on the bladder
  • Reduce irritation of the urethra
  • Improve comfort when walking, sitting, or using a wheelchair

Your nurse will show you how to position and secure your catheter to suit your daily routine, whether you are working, commuting, or staying mostly at home.

Lifestyle Considerations

Your catheter setup should match your lifestyle:

  • Discreet under clothing for work or social activities
  • Easy to empty when out in the community (for example, at local Grand Rapids malls, parks, or events)
  • Portable and manageable when wearing winter layers or using public transport
  • May include handling aids if you have limited hand strength or dexterity (common after stroke or in arthritis)

Alternative Catheter Options

For some men who are incontinent but do not have urinary retention, an external (condom) catheter may be an option:

  • A sheath (similar to a condom) is placed over the penis.
  • It connects to a drainage bag.
  • It can be more comfortable and less invasive than an indwelling catheter.

Your urologist or continence nurse in Grand Rapids can advise whether this is appropriate for you.

Using a Catheter at Home in Grand Rapids

Most people with long‑term catheters manage them at home with support from:

  • Their primary care provider
  • Urology clinics at Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, or Metro Health
  • Home health services and community nurses

You will be taught:

  • How to empty and change bags
  • How to clean around the catheter site
  • Signs of infection or blockage to watch for
  • What to do in cold weather (for example, protecting tubing from kinking under heavier winter clothing)
  • When to seek urgent help

Common Problems to Watch For

Contact your healthcare provider or seek urgent care if you notice:

  • Fever, chills, or feeling unwell
  • Cloudy, foul‑smelling, or bloody urine
  • Pain in your lower abdomen or back
  • No urine draining into the bag despite feeling full
  • Leaking around the catheter

In Grand Rapids, urgent concerns can be addressed through:

  • Local urgent care centers
  • Hospital emergency departments (e.g., Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids)
  • After‑hours advice lines offered by many health systems

Continence Training and Reducing Catheter Use

In some cases, continence training and pelvic floor exercises can help restore bladder control and reduce or eliminate the need for a catheter. This is often supported by:

  • Pelvic health physical therapists in Grand Rapids
  • Urology and continence clinics
  • Rehabilitation programs after stroke or surgery

Your provider will let you know if bladder retraining is appropriate for you and create a plan to gradually reduce catheter use.

Local Support and Resources in Grand Rapids, MI

If you need help with urinary catheterisation in Grand Rapids, you can contact:

  • Your GP (primary care doctor)
  • Your urologist
  • Continence, urology, or community nurses through:
    • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health)
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health

Public health and educational resources:

  • Kent County Health Department – information on chronic disease management, aging, and home care support
  • Grand Rapids Public Health and community clinics – guidance on infection prevention, diabetes and stroke management, and access to local services

If you are living in or around Grand Rapids and think you may need a urinary catheter, or are having problems with an existing catheter, speak with your healthcare provider. They can refer you to local urology or continence services to ensure you receive safe, personalised catheter care tailored to your lifestyle in West Michigan.