The length of time a Foley catheter remains in the body depends on various factors including the material the catheter is made of and the patient's propensity for blockages, infections or other complications. Conditions permitting, a catheter can stay in place for as little as two weeks or as long as twelve weeks.
The most commonly prescribed indwelling catheter, the Foley is the catheter of choice to manage in-home nursing care and hospice patients requiring long-term bladder drainage. In these situations, the catheter frequently stays in place for significantly longer periods and will need to be changed at least once every three months.