Foley catheters are among the highest-volume urology consumables in any hospital, and one of the easiest products to order wrongly: the same tender line can hide six sizes, two balloon capacities and three material grades. Here is the working map a procurement buyer needs before placing a bulk order.
One hospital order can span 8 Fr paediatric to 24 Fr 3-way irrigation catheters - the size mix, balloon spec and material decide whether the shipment matches the wards that use it.
A Foley is an indwelling urinary catheter held in place by an inflatable balloon. Three choices define every line item: the Fr (Charrière) size, the number of channels (2-way or 3-way), and the material - and each ward population pulls the mix in a different direction.
| Size | Colour code | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 8-10 Fr | Blue / black | Paediatric |
| 12 Fr | White | Small adults, urethral strictures |
| 14 Fr | Green | Routine adult female / smaller male |
| 16 Fr | Orange | The adult workhorse size |
| 18 Fr | Red | Larger adults, mild haematuria |
| 20-24 Fr | Yellow / purple / blue | 3-way irrigation, post-TURP, clot drainage |
A general-hospital order usually concentrates on 14-18 Fr, with a deliberate small share of paediatric and 20-24 Fr 3-way sizes. Buying only the workhorse sizes looks efficient until theatre asks for a 22 Fr 3-way on a Friday night.
Silicone-coated or hydrogel-coated latex is the economical standard for short-term catheterisation (days). All-silicone catheters cost more but suit latex-sensitive patients and longer dwell times (up to the manufacturer's stated period, typically weeks), and they keep a larger effective lumen for the same Fr size. Most hospital orders carry both: coated latex for volume, a silicone share for long-dwell and latex-allergy cases.
| Factor | Coated latex | All-silicone |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Lower | Higher |
| Dwell time | Short-term | Longer-term per IFU |
| Latex allergy | Not suitable | Suitable |
| Lumen for a given Fr | Smaller | Larger |
Balloon capacity is printed on the valve (commonly 5-10 ml adult, 3-5 ml paediatric, 30 ml for some 3-way lines). Mismatched balloon specs are one of the most frequent reasons a Foley consignment is rejected at hospital incoming inspection - put the balloon size on the purchase order line, not just the Fr size.
A catheter order is judged on the day the unusual size is needed, not on the day the container arrives.
Foleys rarely travel alone: tenders bundle them with urine drainage bags, urometers and lubricating jelly. Quoting the urology family together usually scores better and fills a mixed carton efficiently.
Pre-donned sterile natural latex surgical gloves with curved anatomical fingers, micro-textured anti-slip finish, beaded cuff, available in powdered and powder-free polymer coated grades. Container consignments dispatched from Port Mundra & Port Nhava Sheva, with certificates and test reports shared with every quotation.
16 Fr (orange) is the routine adult size, with 14 Fr for smaller anatomy and 18 Fr for larger patients or mild haematuria. 20-24 Fr 3-way catheters serve irrigation after urological surgery.
A 2-way has a drainage channel and a balloon channel. A 3-way adds an irrigation channel for continuous bladder irrigation - standard after TURP and for clot management - and usually comes in larger sizes with a 30 ml balloon option.
For latex-sensitive patients, for longer indwelling periods per the manufacturer's IFU, and where a larger internal lumen matters. Coated latex remains the economical choice for routine short-term catheterisation.
Commonly 5-10 ml for adult 2-way, 3-5 ml paediatric, and 30 ml on many 3-way irrigation catheters. Specify it on the order line - capacity mismatches are a frequent incoming-inspection rejection.
Balloon inflation to rated capacity without leak, clean valve function with a standard syringe, smooth tip and eyes, correct colour coding and pouch printing, sterile individual packing with lot/expiry, and ISO 13485/CE papers.
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