Urological and Catheter Supplies for Skilled Nursing, DME, and Home Care Providers
Geriatric Medical supplies urological products in wholesale volumes to skilled nursing facilities, long-term care communities, DME/HME providers, and home care agencies nationwide. Our catalog includes Foley catheters, intermittent and touchless catheters, male external catheters, catheter insertion and irrigation trays, leg bags and bedside drainage bags, securement devices, tubing, connectors, and clamps, and lubricating products, so your team can source catheter care supplies from one distributor.
Whether you're supporting residents with indwelling catheters, reducing catheter use with external alternatives, or fulfilling recurring catheter orders for patients at home, our team can help you match catheter types, sizes, and drainage supplies to your patients and order volume.
Urological Supply Questions from Providers
What urological supplies does Geriatric Medical carry?
We carry Foley catheters, urethral and intermittent catheters, touchless catheters, male external catheters, catheter insertion, irrigation, and catch kits, leg bags and accessories, bedside drainage bags and accessories, catheter securement devices, urological tubing, connectors, and clamps, and lubricating products.
What's the difference between Foley, intermittent, and external catheters?
A Foley catheter is an indwelling catheter that stays in the bladder, held in place by a small inflated balloon, and drains continuously into a collection bag. An intermittent catheter is inserted to drain the bladder and then removed right away, and it's used several times a day on a schedule. A male external catheter fits over the penis like a sheath and connects to a drainage bag without entering the bladder. The catheter type is determined by the patient's condition and the prescriber's order.
How can facilities help reduce catheter-associated urinary tract infections?
Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are one of the most common healthcare-associated infections, and the most effective prevention is using indwelling catheters only when clinically indicated and removing them as soon as they're no longer needed. External catheters and intermittent catheterization are alternatives for some patients. For residents with an indwelling catheter, CDC guidance recommends aseptic insertion, a closed drainage system, securing the catheter, and keeping the drainage bag below the bladder and off the floor.
What Foley catheter size should we use?
Foley catheters are sized in French (Fr), which measures the catheter's outer diameter, and a higher number means a larger catheter. Adult sizes commonly range from 14 to 16 Fr, and CDC guidance recommends using the smallest catheter that allows good drainage to reduce urethral trauma. Foley catheters are also labeled by balloon size, commonly 5 mL or 10 mL for routine use. The catheter size, balloon size, and material should follow the prescriber's order.
What's the difference between latex and silicone Foley catheters?
Latex Foley catheters are flexible and economical, and they're often coated to reduce friction, but they aren't suitable for patients or staff with latex allergies. Silicone catheters are latex-free, have a wider drainage channel for the same outer size, and are commonly used for longer-term catheterization and for patients with latex sensitivity. Some catheters also have antimicrobial or hydrogel coatings. Material selection should follow the prescriber's order and your facility's protocol.
What are touchless and hydrophilic intermittent catheters?
Touchless, or closed-system, intermittent catheters come pre-lubricated inside a sealed sleeve or bag, so the catheter can be inserted without the user's hands touching the catheter surface, which helps reduce the risk of introducing bacteria. Hydrophilic catheters have a coating that becomes slippery when activated with water, which reduces friction during insertion. Intermittent catheters also come in straight tip and coudé tip styles, and coudé tips have a curved end that can help with insertion for some male patients.
How do we size a male external catheter?
Male external catheters are sized by penile circumference, and most manufacturers provide a sizing guide to measure the correct fit. A catheter that's too tight can restrict circulation and damage skin, while one that's too loose can leak or fall off. Self-adhering designs are the most common. External catheters should be changed on the schedule in the manufacturer's instructions, and the skin should be checked for irritation or breakdown at each change.
What's the difference between a leg bag and a bedside drainage bag?
Leg bags are smaller urine collection bags, typically holding up to about 1,000 mL, that strap to the thigh or calf and are worn under clothing during the day, which supports mobility and dignity. Bedside drainage bags hold more, commonly 2,000 mL, and are used overnight or for residents who are in bed most of the day. Both types should include an anti-reflux valve to prevent urine from flowing back toward the bladder, and they should always be kept below the level of the bladder.
Why are catheter securement devices important?
Catheter securement devices anchor the catheter tubing to the thigh or abdomen so it doesn't pull or move when the resident repositions or is transferred. Securing the catheter helps prevent urethral trauma, accidental dislodgement, and discomfort, and CDC guidance recommends securing indwelling catheters after insertion. Securement devices are gentler on skin and more reliable than tape.
What's included in catheter insertion and irrigation kits?
Catheter insertion trays typically include sterile gloves, a sterile drape, antiseptic swabs or solution, sterile lubricant, and a prefilled syringe to inflate the balloon, and some trays include the catheter and drainage bag. Irrigation kits commonly include a piston syringe and a collection container for flushing catheters as ordered. Kit contents vary by manufacturer, so check each listing for components. For irrigation solutions, see our irrigation category.
What lubricant should be used for catheter insertion?
Catheter insertion calls for a sterile, water-soluble lubricant, usually in single-use packets or prefilled applicators, to reduce friction and discomfort. Petroleum-based products such as petroleum jelly shouldn't be used, since they aren't sterile and can weaken latex catheters. Single-use packets help maintain sterility and reduce cross-contamination between patients.
How often should urinary catheters and drainage bags be changed?
CDC guidance for indwelling catheters doesn't recommend changing catheters or drainage bags at routine, fixed intervals. Instead, they should be changed based on clinical indications, such as infection, obstruction, or a break in the closed drainage system, and according to the manufacturer's labeling and your facility's policy. Keeping the closed system connected and avoiding unnecessary disconnection of tubing and connectors helps reduce infection risk.
Can we order urological supplies through EDI or a punchout catalog?
Yes. Geriatric Medical supports EDI ordering and punchout catalog integration for accounts that manage purchasing through their own procurement, EHR, or ERP systems, so catheters, drainage bags, and urological supplies can be ordered the same way as the rest of your catalog without manual re-entry.