Applying an External Catheter for Women: Beginner’s Guide

Using an external catheter for women is easy if you know the key steps. This is especially true with a device like CareDry®, which is made for comfort, more complete urine collection, and ease of use. This guide helps you use the CareDry® female external catheter. It focuses on easy principles from nursing practice.

What You’ll Need:

Everything required for setup comes with CareDry® or is already standard in clinical settings.

You’ll want:

• CareDry® female external catheter
• Clean gloves
• Perineal cleansing wipes
• Disposable underpad
• Suction tubing (if using hospital suction)
• Hospital wall suction
• A towel for drying the skin

CareDry® is non-adhesive, so you don’t need extra tapes or straps.

Basic Placement Principles (with CareDry®)

While every patient is unique, CareDry® follows a consistent, intuitive application process:

1. Clean and dry the perineal area

Use a gentle wipe to cleanse the skin.

CareDry®’s soft, moisture-wicking material works best with clean, dry skin.

2. Position the patient for comfort

Place the patient on their back with legs slightly apart.

Slip an underpad beneath the hips for added cleanliness.

3. Place CareDry® between the labia

Gently pull apart the labia. Place the CareDry® device so the wide absorbent area is right under the urethral opening.

Key CareDry®-specific notes:

The soft contoured design helps create a natural fit.

The device should sit flush against the skin without pressure.

You do not need to press hard – just ensure neutral, gentle contact.

4. Connect to suction (CareDry® requires continuous suction)

Attach the suction regulator and suction tubing to the canister. Then attach the CareDry® tubing to the suction tubing and turn the suction regulator to continuous suction (125 mmHg).

CareDry® is designed for:

Patient comfort

Continuous airflow

No pooling of urine inside the device

5. Perform a quick seal check

Lift and reposition slightly to confirm:

The device is centered

No gaps exist against the skin.

Suction is flowing

The patient is comfortable

CareDry® should feel soft and lightweight – never pulling or pressing.

Tips for Comfort & Best Performance With CareDry®

To optimize performance, keep these CareDry®-specific tips in mind:

Check for good airflow – you should feel a gentle airflow at the tubing.

Recheck after repositioning – CareDry® may shift slightly after turning or boosting the patient.

Monitor the absorbent area – if dampness is present around the edges, reposition for better alignment.

Periodically remove CareDry® for a skin assessment, when complete, please place CareDry® once again. 

Communicate with the patient – ask whether they feel pulling or rubbing.

Common Mistakes (Specific to Female External Catheters Like CareDry®)

Knowing what to avoid can save you rework and protect patient skin.

1. Placing the device too far back

If the urethral opening is not centered on the upper 1/3, leaks are more likely. Refer to ‘CAREDRY® System: Patient Placement Techniques – L366’ for anatomic placement instructions.

2. Using too low suction

CareDry® operates at 125mm/Hg of suction. Lower levels can cause leaks to occur.

When to Replace CareDry®

Replace every 24-48 hours or per hospital protocol.

Stool or blood has soiled the product.

General guidelines apply, but CareDry®’s soft design makes routine assessment especially important. Always inspect the skin during each change, looking for redness, irritation, or moisture-associated skin damage.

Final Thoughts

Using a female external catheter can be simple. This is especially true with a device like CareDry®, created for comfort and more complete urine collection. By following proper placement steps and performing quick checks during each shift, you can help maintain patient dignity, reduce moisture-related skin issues, and streamline incontinence management. For the full instructions for use please visit CareDry® Support – Manuals, Troubleshooting & Info.