Catheter Supplies & Urinary Drainage: A Canadian Procurement Guide for Hospitals & Home Care
Urinary catheters are among the most commonly used medical devices in Canadian healthcare, with hundreds of thousands used annually in hospitals, LTC facilities, and home care settings. Proper catheter selection and procurement directly impact patient safety, infection rates, and healthcare costs.
This guide covers Foley catheters, intermittent catheters, drainage bags, and essential accessories for the Canadian market.
Figure 1: Urinary catheterization supplies — selection of appropriate catheter type is critical for patient outcomes.
Types of Urinary Catheters
1. Foley (Indwelling) Catheters
Foley catheters are the standard indwelling catheter used in Canadian hospitals. Available from Bard Medical (now BD), Coloplast, and Hollister, they feature a balloon that inflates inside the bladder to hold the catheter in place. Key considerations include:
- Material: Latex (standard), silicone elastomer-coated (reduced irritation), or 100% silicone (for latex-sensitive patients)
- Balloon size: 5cc (pediatric) to 30cc (hematuria or post-surgical)
- French size: 12 Fr to 24 Fr for adults; 14-16 Fr is most common
- Tip type: Straight (standard), Coude (curved for prostatic obstruction), or two-way/three-way for irrigation
2. Intermittent Catheters
For patients who require regular bladder emptying without indwelling catheters, intermittent catheters are the preferred option. Coloplast SpeediCath® and Hollister Advance® Plus are leading brands in Canada. Modern hydrophilic-coated catheters like SpeediCath® are pre-lubricated and ready to use, reducing the risk of urethral trauma and UTIs. Compact designs like SpeediCath® Compact Female and Compact Male are discreet and portable, supporting patient independence.
Figure 2: Intermittent catheter systems — hydrophilic-coated options reduce friction and infection risk. (Source: Coloplast)
Urinary Drainage Bags
Drainage bags collect urine from indwelling catheters. The two main types are:
- Leg bags: Small (350-750ml) bags worn on the thigh; allow ambulation and dignity
- Night drainage bags: Large (2000ml) bags used at bedside or during bedrest
- Anti-reflux valves: Essential to prevent backflow and reduce UTI risk
Infection Prevention: The Top Priority
Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are among the most common healthcare-acquired infections in Canadian hospitals. Strategies to reduce CAUTI risk include:
- Silver alloy-coated catheters: Bardex® I.C. with Bacti-Guard® silver/hydrogel coating reduces bacterial adherence
- Hydrophilic coatings: For intermittent catheters, reduce friction during insertion and removal
- Closed drainage systems: Maintain a sterile closed circuit to prevent bacterial entry
- Catheter reminder systems: Canadian hospitals implementing daily catheter necessity assessments have reduced CAUTI rates by up to 50%
Canadian Procurement Considerations
- Provincial formularies: Ontario's ADP and other provincial programs cover specific catheter products — ensure listing before bulk procurement
- CAUTI prevention programs: Many Canadian health authorities have specific catheter product bundles for infection prevention protocols
- Latex allergy protocols: Maintain supply of silicone and non-latex options for sensitive patients
- Pediatric considerations: Smaller French sizes and specialty lengths available from all major manufacturers
- Sustainable options: PVC-free and DEHP-free catheter options (like Coloplast SpeediCath) are increasingly preferred
CliniEco Medical supplies Foley catheters, intermittent catheters, drainage bags, and urology accessories from Bard (BD), Coloplast, and Hollister to healthcare facilities across Canada. Contact us for volume pricing and procurement partnerships.
Key Benefits for Canadian Healthcare Facilities
Choosing the right ostomy products directly impacts patient quality of life and reduces complications. Canadian healthcare procurement managers should prioritize products with Health Canada NHP Number or MDEL certification. Bulk purchasing through a dedicated medical supply distributor reduces per-unit costs by 15-25% compared to retail sourcing. Specification and standards detail is covered in catheter supply procurement guide.
Where to Source in Canada
Most Canadian hospitals and LTC homes source ostomy supplies through group purchasing organizations (GPOs) or direct from specialized distributors. For smaller clinics and home care agencies, working with a distributor that offers both clinical supplies and ostomy products simplifies procurement and reduces administrative overhead.
Related reading: learn more about Canadian medical procurement in our business hub.
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