Discharged within urinary catheter?

[SunshinePie]

My grandmother (92) was discharged from hospital after a fall, with a urinary catheter. The ambulance crew literally just rung my doorbell and left her there - no warning she was being discharged. I’ve been trying to look after her, but she’s immobile so it’s pretty difficult, along with a 3 and 5 year old. The hospital have given me no teaching on what to do with the catheter, I’ve figured out how to empty it. I’ve been trying to call GP/District Nurse/Community nurse team, but just get answer machines. It’s only a small bag so I have to get up in the night to empty it. Is it normal to discharge someone with a urinary catheter?

Well it’s ended in a bit of a disaster, realised she hadn’t passed any urine for more than 12 hours. I managed to get her to stand up whilst supported by myself and my husband, but when she stood up the catheter bag filled with blood! Rang an ambulance (because she’s on warfarin), 6 hours later they arrived and took her to A&E. I’m feeling still shaking from the ordeal.

Thank you to everyone who gave advice! It’s a relief to hear that this isn’t normal!

Oh dear, how worrying for you all, the best thing is she is back in hospital.

I'm sorry to hear that. I hope she recovers soon, it sounds like an awful discharge and you would have every right to complain.

Sorry to hear update. This is Betty poor isn't it?

Appalling care. This should never have happened. Document everything factually and send by email to the complaints dept of the hospital asap.
Hope things improve very soon

The not passing urine is a definite worry, the blood in the catheter bag is - I've been told multiple times by a Gp and nurses - 'not that big of a deal and quite common' as it happened to my family member too. They said that people with a catheter in can get clots that can block things up too?

Hopefully there will be a medical MNetter on here who can tell us more as I've got to say seeing a catheter bag red from blood is a very disturbing sight and instinctively seems concerning. Family member did get a short course of antibiotics but continued to have blood and no-one seems particularly concerned about this.

It is appalling but I think it is also how things are at the moment. The NHS doesn't have enough resources. I think complaining to MPs is possibly the most useful thing to do. And I will do so for my family member.

As far as I can tell everyone is working overtime. My family member has been in A&E 3 times in the past couple of months. Twice catheter related. Twice they've waited 5 hours in an ambulance. Once the ambulance came out and advised family to take in a taxi as 'would get seen quicker if you take yourself rather than have to queue in an ambulance'. Every single medical person has been amazing, but the system is just totally overwhelmed.